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“Retroreflectivity”, try saying that 3 times!  So, what is it and why is it important?  Retroreflectivity is what occurs when a surface reflects light back to its source.  As engineers, we like to harness this phenomenon in traffic signs to improve their visibility on...

Have you ever heard of a self-explaining road?  Why don’t we explain what a self-explaining road is:  Theeuwes and Godthelp published a paper in 1995 called “Self-explaining roads” with the overall notion that roads should be easily understood by the road user, in...

Roundabouts reduce casualty crashes by around 75%, but conventional traffic signals only reduce casualty crashes by around 45%. But why not have both?   It is quite common for roundabouts to be replaced with traffic signals when the opposing movements become too...

Overtaking lanes (also called passing lanes) are often a go-to road safety solution for areas with high head-on crash rates. But will the addition of an overtaking lane actually improve safety?  Firstly, we need to understand that only a very small fraction of head-on...

A trap lane is a configuration where a travel lane becomes an exclusive left or right turn lane, thereby trapping the driver/rider that wishes to continue straight. Trap lanes increase the risk or side swipe and rear end crashes as drivers/riders try to escape the...

You're likely familiar with the concept of a Road Safety Audit, but do you know about Motorcycle Road Safety Audits? Elevating road safety for motorcyclists goes beyond a routine visual inspection. The unique perspective gained from physically riding a motorcycle...

Designing roundabouts with heavy vehicles in mind presents various challenges, including considerations for camber, turning space, approach and exit geometry, and more. However, designers possess a valuable tool in their toolkit – mountable aprons.   While maintaining...

Here are some key practices to keep in mind when designing intersections where two paths meet:  Clear Priorities: Establish clear priorities for path users. Consider the volume of users, and if it's low, give priority to the stream most inconvenienced by stopping....

Anti-gawk screens (also called anti-debris screens) can assist with worksite safety for both workers and the travelling public. They minimize visibility into the worksite to prevent distractions for the road users and shield workers from flying debris. They are...

During the design process, it’s common to conduct Stopping Sight Distances (SSD) checks.  SSD is the distance to enable a normally alert driver, travelling at the design speed on wet pavement, to perceive, react and brake to a stop before reaching a hazard on the road...

Raised intersections on arterial roads can reduce casualty crashes by up to 40% (Austroads). In Victoria, large signalised intersections have been raised at over 18 locations (some example photos below).   Raised intersections are also known as platform intersections,...

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is a game-changer when it comes to crash prevention, but its effectiveness under sun glare deserves attention.   While AEB scans roads for potential collisions, sun glare can disrupt its sensors, hindering its ability to react in...

Bikes and busses – it’s about context.  There has been a lot of industry chatter lately about the appropriateness of different cycling infrastructure around bus stops. Concerns have been raised about the safety of pedestrians accessing the bus (especially those with...

Reflecting on a vibrant 2023, we're proud to highlight our cycling infrastructure program's successes. The increased skill and knowledge among our participants, coupled with outstanding feedback, affirm the program's value to the community. As we commence the new...

Chevron Alignment Markers (CAMs) are one of the most mis-used signs on the public road network. They should only be used on substandard curves. A minimum of three CAMs are required in a series and two CAMs must be visible to a driver/rider at any one time.  To...

In this video the driver has a seizure while driving at 100km/h – but they survive because of a Safe System.   A recent Monash University study revealed that up to 9% of MAIS 3+ crashes involve drivers experiencing acute medical conditions like seizures or heart...

Check out this turnaround bay on a side road in New Zealand.   As more and more of the road network becomes divided with a central barrier system, turnaround bays provide designated spots for drivers, including those in large vehicles, to safely turn. The bays can be...

Ever wonder how they repair road safety barriers after they’ve been hit? Here’s a great short video from the Victorian Government showing the repair of life saving road safety barriers. 

There has been a lot of work in recent times to create shared path crossings over roads. This is where both pedestrians and cyclists have priority across a road, and it is marked with a GIVE WAY sign and supplementary ‘to 🚶‍♀️& 🚲’ sign. This is mainly to get...

Some pedestrian incidents are not necessarily included in the definition of road crash, and are therefore not included in official crash data. This can include obstructions on roads, falls, trips and slips, animal bites and personal security.  The World Health...