An inquiry into VicRoads’ management of country roads indicates there is a disconnect between the community and road safety agencies when it comes to expenditure priorities, with the use of wire rope barriers a particularly contentious issue.
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Many submitters to the Victorian Parliament’s Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee inquiry suggested it would be more effective to put resources towards road maintenance, rather than safety measures such as wire rope barriers or reduced speed limits.
But the Transport Accident Commission advised that evidence on the relationship between improved road pavement surfaces and road safety was limited.
The TAC said estimates from Australian Road Research Board experts revealed that improving rough pavement could be associated with a 30 per cent reduction in injury crashes on specific sections, while improving rough pavement on major highways and freeways could be associated with a 2 to 8 per cent reduction in injury crashes along the route.
The agency submitted that it was more important to invest in measures that reduced injuries.
“The TAC acknowledges that road maintenance is important, however under Safe System principles, investment in road safety must be directed to the initiatives which have been demonstrated to have significant effects of the greatest magnitude,” the TAC wrote.
“Typically, this approach favours initiatives that address injury outcomes rather than initiatives that address crash risk.”
But Macedon Ranges Shire Council said VicRoads’ method of directing funding according to crash data and usage did not account for other aspects the community valued, including general maintenance, amenity, signage and preventative works.
The government’s often controversial wire rope safety barrier installation program was raised by dozens of submitters to the inquiry.
The barriers are being installed under the $340 million Safer Road Infrastructure Program, with the government saying the use of the barriers on the 20 most dangerous regional roads led to a 30 per cent reduction in deaths and injuries.
Fifty-three individuals who made submissions to the inquiry commented on the issue of wire rope barriers, some of whom doubted their effectiveness.
Others suggested the resources spent on the wire rope barriers would be better spent on road works or other safety measures.
The Victorian Motorcycle Council submitted there was limited evidence to support the use of the barriers, and while they improved safety for those in vehicles, they presented an increased hazard to motorcyclists.
The group suggested that alternatives be used, and that VicRoads and its contractors apply VicRoads’ guide Making Roads Motorcycle Friendly Guide consistently.
The Independent Riders Group proposed that any further installation of the wire rope barriers should end, dangerous points be removed, and an audit of options be undertaken.
The TAC said in its submission that under the Safer Road Infrastructure Program, 75 per cent of funding was allocated to country roads as they were the site of 55 per cent of fatalities and 35 per cent of combined serious injuries and fatalities.
The agency said high-speed undivided roads were a key risk to safety.
Given the TAC’s submission that there is limited evidence on the relationship between improved road surface and improved safety, the parliamentary committee has suggested this issue be explored, as well as evidence versus public perception on road safety matters.
Submissions to the inquiry revealed there was also a broadly held view that VicRoads failed to conduct effective consultation with communities.
Bus Association Victoria said there was a lack of feedback and engagement from VicRoads, which was frustrating.
But with the desire for communities to be involved, and early, in decision-making, some organisations said decisions still needed to be made based on evidence, rather than community preference.
Some councils were supportive of VicRoads’ consultation with local government.
The Municipal Assocation of Victoria said a number of rural councils reported regular consultation at the executive level and this was satisfactory.
But some submissions noted a lack of co-ordination on maintenance plans.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council suggested developing regional roads group partnerships with all councils in each region as a way of facilitating better collaboration.
The Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources said there had been recent initiatives aimed at improving VicRoads’ consultation process, including a five-year strategy released in 2016, its largest-ever engagement activity last year, a community feedback report released in December 2017, and an engagement program this year.
The department also said there were plans to develop partnerships with councils on “innovative approaches” to improve maintenance on less strategic arterial roads.
The parliamentary committee recommends a full inquiry on VicRoads and country roads next parliamentary term.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
