A project of Mildura Rural City Council, Victoria, has taken out one of Australasia’s most prestigious road safety awards – the 3M-ACRS Diamond Road Safety Award.
The project, led by Council’s Road Safety Officer Christopher Davis, was the ‘Low cost implanted compact roundabout’.
The award recognises ‘exemplary innovation and effectiveness in saving lives and injuries on roads’ and was presented online by Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) President, Martin Small.
The roundabouts were aimed at making the two intersections safer after five crashes and one fatality in recent years.
Chris and his team analysed the intersections and designed a roundabout to improve safety through lower speeds, which has proven a resounding success with no recorded crashes at either intersection since the roundabouts were installed.
Studies have shown that vehicles on average travel at 35km/h while negotiating roundabouts, which may not seem very quick, but still presents a major risk to vulnerable road users.
To resolve this issue, Chris’s team installed spike down speed cushions, designed to lower speeds to 20km/h, on the approach to both roundabouts.
Analysis after these works were completed showed average speeds had dropped from 43km/h to 19km/h, and that more than 99 percent of drivers entered the roundabout at less than 25km/h.
These positive results have put the project on the radars of several other local government areas and agencies given the powerful impact they’ve had on road safety. Also of keen interest was the lower construction time and costs associated with the new design.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack acknowledged the project’s role in improving road safety.
“I’d especially like to congratulate Chris Davis and his team from Mildura Rural City Council for winning the road safety award, which has contributed to a reduction in death and serious injuries, through the rethinking of road infrastructure.”
Mildura Mayor, Jason Modica said, “It’s fantastic to see a project conceived and realised by one of our own teams recognised at the highest level for helping to save lives on our roads.
“This project is now being held up across Australasia, not just nationally, as an example of an innovative approach to road safety that is saving lives through a creative, smart and low-cost solution that can be replicated in other major towns and cities.
“We’re certainly proud to have the calibre of staff capable of creating and delivering these projects and I congratulate Chris and his team for representing our organisation, and our region, at such a high standard.”
