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Safe System Snippet #49

Safe System Snippet #49

Escalation of Warning Signs Warning Signs are designed to warn road users of an upcoming hazard requiring caution. They are diamond shaped, with a black graphic illustrating the hazard on a yellow background, and can warn of a range of upcoming hazards such as blind...

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Safe System Snippet #48

Safe System Snippet #48

Lane width and road safety. Traditional traffic engineering theory is that wider lanes are safer because they allow a margin of error. This may be the case on freeways, but is it true in other road environments? Karim, D.M. carried out a research study in 2015 that...

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Safe System Snippet #47

Safe System Snippet #47

In 2019 VicRoads published an update to its supplement to the Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 6. The revised supplement no longer uses the concept of ‘clear zones’. The concept of ‘clear zones’ was developed in the 1960s and 70s and has resulted in rigid hazards...

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Safe System Snippet #46

Safe System Snippet #46

There are many types of sight distance. Here are a few: Safe intersection sight distance (SISD): The distance required for a driver or rider on a major road to observe a vehicle entering from a side road, and to stop before colliding with it. Stopping sight distance...

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Safe System Snippet #45

Safe System Snippet #45

We are often asked if we could use plants/shrubs as roadside protection devices. The simple answer is NO. Why? The effectiveness of a specific planting in being able to stop or slow a wide range of vehicle types is uncertain, and some plantings would also be an...

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Safe System Snippet #44

Safe System Snippet #44

There are a variety of High Profile Barrier Kerbs available. Midwest profile has been tested under NCHRP350 Test Level 2, vehicle speed 70km/h, impact angle 25 degrees and vehicle mass 2000kg. VicRoads RDN03-01 states it should only be considered where operating...

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Safe System Snippet #43

Safe System Snippet #43

Back to School Edition: Treatment #7 Shared PathsWide paths shared by pedestrians and cyclists, separated from vehicular traffic. Advantages•Improves safety by separating vulnerable road users from vehicular traffic•Can influence desire lines (i.e. preferred routes),...

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Safe System Snippet #42

Safe System Snippet #42

Safe System Snippet: Motorcyclists are most susceptible to surface issues in the lead up to a curve and through the curve. We have ranked the ‘hazards’ in the VicRoads Road Management Plan in order of importance for motorcycle rider risk management.

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Cycling Auditor Course August

Cycling Auditor Course August

Our popular Cycling Auditor one-day hands on training has been brought forward to 7 August 2020. The current Covid-19 pandemic has more than doubled the number of people riding bikes and several councils have brought forward cycling projects. If you are planning or...

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Safe System Snippet #40

Safe System Snippet #40

Back to School Edition: Treatment #5 Safe Travel to School: Raised Intersection Consists of a raised platform on the intersection and short length of approach roads. Requires speed hump warning, advisory speed sign and may include other warning signs, if warranted,...

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Safe System Snippet #39

Safe System Snippet #39

Back to School Edition: Treatment #4 Pedestrian Refuge Consists of a short stretch of raised median in the centre of the road that creates a staging point for pedestrians. Usually features a walkthrough at pavement level. Advantages•Improves crossing opportunities for...

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Safe System Snippet #38

Safe System Snippet #38

Superelevation and changes in superelevation (i.e. crossfall) within an intersection can have a detrimental effect on vehicle stability, particularly for heavy vehicles. In general, the crossfall adopted for turning roadways where vehicles can turn at moderate speed...

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Safe System Snippet #34

Safe System Snippet #34

Does the community know that it’s a “Limit, Not a Target”? In difficult driving conditions, certain speeds, even within the legal limits, may be inappropriate. Wet weather and other influences may mean that driving at the speed limit is inappropriate and dangerous. Do...

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Safe System Snippet #33

Safe System Snippet #33

Wide centerline treatments can reduce cross centerline fatal and serious injury crashes by up to 30%. Often lanes can be narrowed to accommodate the treatment and the wide centerline is best complemented with audio tactile edge line and centerline. Wide centerlines...

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