Increasing motorcycle safety on local roads: what can be done?

An Austroads study on the efficacy of the local road network in Australia has identified a number of key issues for reducing the injury and fatality risk for motorcyclists.

The project aimed to develop a greater understanding of 'Safe System' principles among local government practitioners, and in particular identified how motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries when colliding with roadside objects, including rigid, semi-rigid and flexible barriers.

Barriers are often closer to the road than other roadside objects, giving the rider less time to correct an error. To that end, the study identified the modification of roadside barriers as one solution to reducing the injury and fatality risk for motorcyclists. Some of these solutions have been developed as retrofit devices, to save replacing entire lengths of barrier. Three common methods of modifying barriers to improve motorcycle crash outcomes include:

-- Shielding posts with additional beams or panels on the lower section of the semi-rigid or flexible barrier system to allow the rider to slide along the panel rather than impact posts;
-- Replacing traditional I-beam posts in semi-rigid barriers with more forgiving sigma-shaped posts, or using weaker posts; and
Covering exposed posts with specifically designed impact attenuators.

Aside from modifying barriers to improve safety outcomes, other options for improving motorcyclist safety include:

-- Wider roadside shoulders to provide more space for errant motorcyclists;
--  Soft roadside vegetation which may be able to gradually decelerate errant motorcyclists;
-- Plastic fences to absorb energy and slow the rider before striking the barrier; and
-- Smoothing the roadside and adding soft clay marbles to help decelerate the motorcycle before impacting the barrier, using a similar theory to the ‘gravel traps’ used at motor racing circuits.

What are your thoughts on the above? Is that doing enough?

Australian local governments manage extensive road networks, with previous reporting indicating that they represent 82 percent of the length of all public roads in both countries. Local roads tend to carry significantly smaller traffic volumes than state road networks; however, analysis shows that they contribute to more than half of all casualties resulting from road crashes, and an estimated 40 percent of fatalities.

Moreover, in Australia 59 percent of the road network is unsealed, and are more likely than state managed roads to be characterised by:

-- A greater proportion of intersections and unsignalised rail crossings per kilometre;
-- Low traffic volume, which sometimes has seasonal fluctuations;
-- Mixed traffic composition;
-- Poor road geometry;
-- Poor surface quality;
-- Inadequate delineation and advisory signing; and
-- Behavioural issues: excessive speeds, distraction, inattention, road user impairment, and driver expectations.

What are your experiences on local roads? Are some of the factors listed above common concerns?

To read the full report, click here (you have to register, which is free).