An evaluation of the economics of New Zealand's skid resistance policy
In this paper New Zealand's skid resistance policy is outlined, reviewed, and recent changes to the state highway specification outlined. This is followed by an evaluation from the perspectives of crash reduction, surfacing costs, surfacing lives and other skid resistance related costs, in order to evaluate the impact and economic outcomes of the policy. Prime consideration is given to the 11 years of data since the introduction of the new skid resistance policy in 1997, with some data extending further back. Comment is also made on the impact of increasing traffic volumes and increasing axle loads on surfacing lives. A major revision of New Zealand's state highway skid resistance policy occurred in 1997 with the issuing of a skid resistance management specification, the T10 Specification for Skid Resistance. The specification aimed to improve the safety of road users by equalising, across the state highway network, the risk of having a skidding crash. This is achieved by assigning investigatory skid resistance levels for different site categories, which are related to different friction demands. As a consequence, skid resistance considerations are now a major factor in the choice of aggregate used for surfacing. For chipseal surfaces, skid resistance considerations are one factor in the programming of resealing. The benefit - cost ratio of the policy has been assessed to lie between 13 and 35 indicating that the policy has been a very efficient and effective safety strategy.
- Record URL:
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Authors:
- Whitehead, D
- Cook, D
- Towler, J
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Conference:
- International Surface Friction Conference, 3rd, 2011
- Location: Gold Coast Queensland, Australia
- Date: 2011-5-15 to 2011-5-18
- Publication Date: 2011-5
Language
- English
Media Info
- Pagination: 20p
- Monograph Title: 3rd International Road Surface Friction Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, 15-18 May 2011
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Aggregates; Benefit cost analysis; Highway design; Highway safety; Safety; Specifications
- Uncontrolled Terms: Road design and asset management; Safe systems (roads)
- Geographic Terms: New Zealand
- ITRD Terms: 9011: Design (overall design); 773: Road traffic; 3031: Skid resistance
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01343997
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: ARRB
- Files: ITRD, ARRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Jul 13 2011 11:48AM