Davey, Wade (2015) Evaluating the effectiveness of Intelligent Transport Systems at reducing speeds through roadwork sites in Australia. [USQ Project]
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Abstract
Occupational health and safety hazards are present in all industries in Australia. However construction works on roads have higher exposure due to the proximity of moving vehicles. Traffic controllers and workers are consistently at risk. In recent years there has been increased media attention on road works and this can be attributed to an increasing community concern with traffic controller fatalities. To improve the safety of those working on the road, and the travelling public passing through these areas, opportunities need to be taken to upgrade both the practise and performance of existing traffic control measures. This includes improving the credibility of signage across roadworks sites and most importantly compliance, ensuring drivers conform to the devices. This dissertation therefore seeks to evaluate innovative signage options and in particular the effectiveness of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for reducing speeds through roadworks sites in Australia.
The research work was conducted in four phases. The current 'state of the art' in traffic management/control in Australia was collected through an in depth literature review. This included the analysis of current standards. One survey was developed to gain an understanding of the perception of road works through the eyes of the general public and the second intended for those at the forefront of traffic management in the civil construction industry. A selection was made on an appropriate ITS device to trial, a vehicle activated speed radar sign.
Field experiments assessed motorist’s interaction and response to the sign. The field experiments were conducted within a work zone on the Bruce Highway in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland. The data collected was divided into three classes; conventional signage only, ITS signage and police presence. Statistical analyses of the results were performed to determine the level of interaction between motorist’s responses and the various signage arrangements.
Results showed that with the speed radar sign operational, drivers slowed by an average of up to 4km/h. More meaningfully the number of vehicles speeding improved by 85%, equating to a reduction of speeding vehicles in the region of 42,000 vehicles out of 49,200 vehicles in a typical week. The most effective outcome was with police presence, showing a 100% speed compliance and average speeds reduced by up to 13.43km/h.
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| Item Type: | USQ Project |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) project |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Civil Engineering and Surveying (1 Jul 2013 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Ayers, Ron |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Jun 2016 02:33 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Jun 2016 01:10 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ITS (Intelligent Transport System), Roadwork Safety, Traffic Management |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090599 Civil Engineering not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400599 Civil engineering not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/29199 |
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