Vulnerable road users (VRU) face significantly elevated risk of injury in the event of a crash when compared with other road users (i.e., occupants of cars, trucks, buses). The current series of briefs looks at VRU treatments as part of an area-wide approach, drawing substantially on the Austroads (2020) report titled Integrating Safe System with Movement and Place for Vulnerable Road Users[1]. Indeed, an area-wide approach to VRU safety must be intrinsic to Safe System imple

Vulnerable road users (VRU) can be broadly defined as road users at a significantly elevated risk of injury in the event of a crash when compared with other road users (i.e., occupants of cars, trucks, buses). Their vulnerability is often exacerbated by high exposure to crash risk in some environments, typically where traffic conflicts are frequent and/or infrastructure is poorly designed or maintained. Pedestrians and cyclists are the two main road user groups addressed in r

This week, we commence a new short series of briefs on safety around schools. The series comprises four parts addressing key concerns around school zone safety and amenity, including: Vulnerable road users and active transport Speed zones and limits Traffic flow and congestion Crossings and traffic calming Austroads released several new publications this year concerning safety around schools, including the Travel to School Guideline and related research reports. The current b

The increased use of e-bikes and e-scooters is clearly evident on Australian roads, especially in urban areas. These vehicles offer users a range of benefits for short-range trips, including low purchase and operating costs, convenience, accessibility and the absence of licencing and training requirements, as well as age restrictions. While research on the safety aspects of micromobility devices has been conducted in many places over the last decade, authorities face new chal

Appropriate lighting for roadways and adjacent areas is an essential and integral part of safe system traffic management and design. In many ways, the provision and improvement of lighting touches on the 2025 Australasian Road Safety Conference’s theme of Equity, Elasticity and Evolution. This includes addressing the needs of all road users (Equity), embracing adaptability and promoting mode shift (Elasticity), and addressing safe system gaps through innovations in technology

Median island treatments provide several functions with road safety benefits, including separation of two-way traffic, narrowing of lanes...

As outlined previously in Post #16, raised safety platforms (RSPs) are a primary Safe System treatment to promote lower vehicle speeds to reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions. RSPs are vertical deflection devices suitable for a wide range of roadway and traffic characteristics. A 2020 Austroads Research Report (AP-R642-20) documents RSP effectiveness and implementation in detail. Among the many considerations for design and implementation, the gradient (slope or a

Victoria’s draft 30-year infrastructure strategy 2025-2055 contains several recommendations directly targeting road safety improvement....

What is a Pedestrian Operated Signal (POS)? A Pedestrian Operated Signal (POS), also known as a push-button crossing signal, is a traffic...

An example of a wombat crossing What is a wombat crossing? Wombat crossing is a safety treatment combines two main components, a raised safety platform (or speed table) spanning across the entire width of the roadway and a zebra crossing line marking on top of the platform. Pedestrian crossing sign Pedestrian crossing warning signs (sign R3-1) are used at the location of the wombat crossing. In addition, the red pavement color or amber flashing lights may also be used to furt