The New South Wales Government has set an objective to halve the road toll by 2010. Various initiatives have been introduced and statistics suggest that these are already having a positive impact in reducing accident rates.
However, road accidents in the State still result in more than 500 deaths and 28,000 injuries each year. The financial cost to the community is over $2.5 billion each year and the emotional cost immeasurable. Boral Surface Treatments, a specialist Business Unit of Boral Asphalt NSW, has developed a road surfacing treatment which will improve the friction between vehicle tyres and the road surface. This greatly improves the levels of skid resistance and hence reduces vehicle braking distances in the order of 33 per cent.
Some treatments are also available in high visibility colouring to enhance the appearance of particular areas or zones. Typically, these treatments can be successfully applied to areas such as blackspots, accident zones, main road intersections, school and pedestrian crossings. Similar treatments are currently used for highlighting bus only and cycle lanes throughout metropolitan areas in Sydney.
Selection of high quality material and application by trained staff ensure a high performance level is maintained throughout the life of the treatment.
Boral Surface Treatments is keen to utilise the product for specific adaptation to school precincts, particularly in lead up areas to marked foot crossings where high visibility and speed reduction are essential factors of safety.
For further information contact Guy Wilson, at Boral Asphalt, on (02) 9620 9557.
* Copy supplied by Boral Asphalt
