The recent Bus Collision with Road Barrier Report from Belmont North highlights the critical role of road safety barrier design, choice, delineation, and end terminals in preventing serious injuries. The incident revealed that the sloped leading edge of the barrier acted as a ramp, causing the bus to roll.
What can be done to improve this? A whole-of-system approach:
- Barrier design – while barrier choice, terminal choice, and the specific of the system itself are a specialised design tasks, there are well known risks with some barrier set-ups. These need to be addressed.
- Delineation – proper reflectors and clear markings for better visibility in low-light and poor weather conditions aid in lessening the likelihood of crashes.
- Licensed and trained designers, installers and maintenance personnel – ensuring everyone involved with road safety barriers is appropriately trained and licensed.
- Ongoing risk assessments by road managers to identify and address existing hazards before incidents occur.
Transport for NSW, Lake Macquarie City Council, and operators like Keolis Downer Hunter have taken steps in response, but we must continue to advocate for proactive safety measures.
Read the full report from the Office of Transportation Safety Investigations.
————-
Sign up to our mailing list for more snippets and news: https://safesystemsolutions.com.au/subscribe-to-our-monthly-newsletter/