This paper describes the implementation of the first greenfield 2+1 road scheme in Ireland, which opened to traffic in late 2007 as part of the pilot program launched in 2002 to implement 2+1 roads throughout Ireland. A 2+1 road is a three lane road with a median barrier between the opposing directions. Some of the perceived common difficulties and drawbacks of implementing a 2+1 road system that have been found in both Ireland and Sweden (which also uses this system) are: 1. increased crashes into the barrier and resultant high maintenance costs; 2. accommodating emergency vehicles, breakdowns and maintenance works; 3. restricted access for property owners; 4. public perception; 5. motorcyclists. This paper looks at how the concept of a 2+1 road might fit into the National Road Strategy for Australia as a possible solution to rural road deaths. The paper summarises some key research undertaken to date in Victoria on the use of flexible barriers and provides an example of a scheme that has recently been opened on the Pacific Highway in New South Wales, which has one of the worst records for fatal head-on collisions in Australia. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217225.
Samenvatting