We recently prepared a comprehensive report for Austroads emphasising the critical role of median barriers in mitigating the risk of head-on crashes on high-speed, two-lane roads across Australia and New Zealand.
Head-on collisions in high-speed environments generate severe impact forces, making them some of the most dangerous and life-threatening crash types.
The report advocates for a Safe System approach, aiming to eliminate deaths and serious injuries by designing roads that prevent harmful forces from being exerted on the human body. In the context of head-on crashes, this means segregating opposing traffic streams or managing impact speeds to ensure survivability.
Some of the interesting findings:
- Flexible safety barriers in wide medians are the most effective solution for high-speed rural roads.
- There needs to be a shift in policy to prioritise the installation of median barriers, moving away from past practices.
- In cases where barriers aren’t feasible, other treatments, such as wide centre lines and audio-tactile line markings, can also contribute to reducing crash risks. Although it should be noted that many cases considered ‘not appropriate’ for barriers are, in fact, suitable for barriers when some design adjustments are made.
The practice of using central barriers in narrow medians has been successfully embraced in parts of Australia and New Zealand, as well as countries like Sweden, Japan, and Ireland.
This important research was conducted by Safe System Solutions Pty Ltd in collaboration with Troutbeck & Associates, further building on our track record of delivering innovative, evidence-based safety solutions.
What are your thoughts on increasing the use of median barriers on high-speed roads?
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