Queensland regional road network safety improvements
Of the 220 lives lost on Queensland roads in 2019, over 65% of the crashes occurred in areas outside of the major cities.
The Queensland Government has identified sections of regional high-speed, two-lane highways that mostly have narrow shoulders, minimal separation between traffic, minimal safety features (such as audio-tactile line markings) and unprotected roadsides.
These sections of road account for 20 % of ‘fatal’ crashes on the state-controlled road network, despite accounting for less than 5% of the network by length and accommodating 10% of the vehicle kilometres travelled.
Many of the identified roads are key freight routes servicing towns and cities along the coast. Growing populations in these towns and cities, along with rising freight demand, are likely to increase traffic volumes and potentially the number of crashes on these roads.
This proposal forms part of the national Early-Stage Proposal for Regional road network safety improvements.
Options to address the proposal could include:
- providing wider centrelines, centre barriers and increasing shoulder widths
- implementing audio-tactile line marking and roadside barriers
- improving the quality of high-risk intersections.
Options to improve each section of road in the program will need to take into account the unique characteristics and safety risks of those sections.
Proponent to identify and analyse potential investment options (Stage 2 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework).
Refer to Infrastructure Glossary for terms and definitions.