Improving safety for people who cycle on rural roads

This study aimed to determine how to cost-effectively improve safety for people who cycle on low-volume rural roads in New Zealand. Following a literature review and Crash Analysis System consultation, two treatments were identified for on-road trial: 1) Advisory signs on passing distance and 2) A 2-1 layout (adapted to the New Zealand context). The latter became a shared space arrow treatment after the 2-1 component was discontinued for safety reasons. The key performance measures of vehicle approach speed, vehicle passing distance, and bicycle speed were measured using an integrated suite of instrumentation on four bicycles. No significant differences were found between either of the treatments and baseline on any of these measures; however, Metrocount data indicated that there was a significant 2km/h speed reduction in the signage treatment area. The instrumentation data provided baseline measures of approach speed (76.8km/h), passing distance (2.12m) and bicycle speed (23.67km/h). Recommendations for future work on cyclist safety on low-volume rural roads include the development of standardised share the road signage, the further adaptation of the 2-1 design to the New Zealand context, the implementation of a robust communication and engagement strategy for innovative research, and baseline data collection to better inform countermeasures.

• Record URL:
  http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/research/reports/589/
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780478445503
• Corporate Authors:

  New Zealand Transport Agency

  Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
  Wellington,    
• Authors:
  • Trotter, M
  • Kortegast, P
  • Beetham, J
  • Bowie, C
  • Burton, J
  • Thomas, J
• Publication Date: 2016-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 69p
• Serial:
  • Issue Number: 589

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cyclists; Highway design; Highway maintenance; Improvements; Passing; Rural highways; Traffic safety; Traffic signs; Warning signals
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (road users); Safe systems (roads)
• Geographic Terms: New Zealand
• ATRI Terms: Crash countermeasure; Cyclist; Overtaking; Road improvement; Rural road; Traffic sign; Warning
• ITRD Terms: 1661: Accident prevention; 2775: Rural road; 9113: Warning
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01604816
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 9780478445503
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 19 2016 2:06PM