Upgrading and maintaining roads

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The Government’s efforts will also be directed to upgrading and maintaining existing roads to provide better standards of safety and protection. Along with improvements to road infrastructure and the road environment, Black Spot and Mass Action programs will also be carried out. Periodic safety audits of existing roads will identify deficiencies and help establish priorities for upgrading.

Black Spot programs
Black Spots are identified by higher than usual crash rates at particular locations. Addressing problems at these locations has proved to be highly effective with significant safety benefits for every dollar spent. Special attention will be paid to rail crossings. Federal and State Black Spot programs will be continued. A significant part of State funds will be spent in rural areas where more than half of all fatalities and almost half of all serious injuries occur. The State Government will continue to work with Local Government to provide additional funding to improve safety at black spots.

Mass Action programs
As well as identifying problems at specific locations, crash history data may also reveal problems with longer sections of
road. These problems can be addressed by “Mass Action” programs which apply a number of road safety measures such as anti-skid treatments or improved road markings.

Road infrastructure improvements
Two infrastructure programs will be given particular attention in this Road Safety Strategy — shoulder sealing and
constructing overtaking lanes.

Shoulder sealing on rural arterial roads has the potential to reduce crashes by more than 40% by providing additional
margins when vehicles run off the road because of driver fatigue or errors in judgement.

Overtaking lanes reduce the likelihood of impatient or frustrated drivers attempting to overtake slower vehicles in dangerous locations. Overseas studies indicate that crashes can be reduced by up to 25% by providing overtaking lanes on existing two-lane highways. Even greater reductions are achieved in rolling or hilly terrain.

Road environment improvements Roadside hazards — objects such as trees and lighting poles — are a major factor in 40% of car occupant fatalities. The Hazardous Roadside Tree Assessment methodology will be introduced and changes to legislation to place strict controls on roadside planting will be explored. New guidelines will be published for planting near roads as well as treating existing vegetation and hazardous objects. Asset sustainment programs Improvements in road safety will also result from an increased priority for funding of asset sustainment programs covering routine maintenance work such as renewing pavement marking and replacing guard rails.