Road geometry study for improved rural safety

This report draws on literature and crash data analysis to identify and quantify geometric road design elements which contribute to casualty crash occurrence and severity on rural roads, e.g. lack of sealed shoulders, steep downhill grades combined with curves, roadsides with narrow offset to roadside hazards, and high-flow rural at-grade intersections. These findings were supported by a before and after evaluation of casualty crash reductions expected from shoulder sealing, pavement widening and road realignment. Combining this evidence and inputs by the Austroads Road Design Task Force, the report proposes a number of possible changes to Austroads road design guides aimed at reducing the casualty crash risk on rural roads. Most proposed changes involve clarification of guidance, e.g. for selection of design speed in challenging alignments, use of speed limits to control speeds, use of sealed shoulders, selection of barriers and clear zones, and greater guidance for design of low speed roundabouts. A Commentary is provided discussing the usefulness of different types of evidence in revision of road engineering guidance. It is intended to make it easier for policy makers to select and commission the most appropriate inputs for consideration.

• Record URL:
  https://www.onlinepublications.austroads.com.au/items/AP-T295-15
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9781925294422
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Austroads Project TS1543
• Corporate Authors:

  Austroads

  Suite 2, Level 9, 287 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
  Sydney, New South Wales   
• Authors:
  • Jurewicz, C
  • Aumann, P
  • Bradshaw, C
  • Beesley, R
  • Lim, A
• Publication Date: 2015-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 89p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Crash analysis; Geometric design; Highway design; Highways; Layout; Paved shoulders; Road shoulders; Rural highways; Traffic safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (roads)
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ATRI Terms: Before and after study; Crash analysis; Crash countermeasure; Geometric design; Road design; Rural road; Shoulder
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 9148: Before and after study; 455: Junction; 2775: Rural road
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01566640
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 9781925294422
• Report/Paper Numbers: AP-T295-15
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 18 2015 11:04AM