❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses the safety of wire rope barriers for motorcyclists, their use in other countries, and whether a review of their use is underway in WA. The Minister's response indicates a review of road safety barriers is occurring nationally, but doesn't specifically address wire rope barriers, while defending their overall safety benefits.
AnsweredQoN 2408Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(2) Have other jurisdictions overseas banned wire rope barriers because they pose a serious risk to motorcyclists?
(3) Will the Minister confirm that the use of wire rope barriers is under review?
(4) If so, on what date was that review initiated?
(5) Who is carrying out that review and what are their respective positions in which agencies?
(6) When will the review be finished?
(7) Will the review be released publicly in its entirety?
(8) Will the Government ensure that wire rope barriers are not installed while that review is underway?
(3) Will the Minister confirm that the use of wire rope barriers is under review?
(4) If so, on what date was that review initiated?
(5) Who is carrying out that review and what are their respective positions in which agencies?
(6) When will the review be finished?
(7) Will the review be released publicly in its entirety?
(8) Will the Government ensure that wire rope barriers are not installed while that review is underway?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 August 2007
Responded by
Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
Response time
63 days
(1) Any barrier is a potential risk to a motorcyclist or vehicle, which has left a road carriageway. Barriers are only installed when the overall risk of not installing them is higher than the consequences of collision with the hazards they are installed to protect such a roadside objects or oncoming traffic.
(2) Some European countries, such as Norway and the Netherlands, are no longer installing wire rope barriers while others, such as Sweden, are using them extensively.
(3) - (8) A review of Australian Standard for Road Safety Barriers AS 3845 is currently being undertaken by a national committee, which includes representatives from Main Roads WA and the Australian Motorcycle Council. However, wire rope barriers are not being considered as part of this review. Wire rope barriers generally have superior performance or containment characteristics to other barrier types in most situations and are considered to be a useful safety device when employed in appropriate situations.
Wire rope barriers have been used in WA since 1995. Main Roads is aware of only one fatal motorcycle accident occurring on a public road in Western Australia involving wire rope barriers. This crash involved a motorcyclist travelling on Kwinana Freeway, at well above the posted speed limit, who collided with several other vehicles before leaving the road carriageway.
Main Roads investigates all serious and fatal crashes to identify if the road environment has contributed in any way. The performance of all barriers, including wire rope, will continue to be monitored to ensure they remain appropriate for the task of restraining errant vehicles and reducing the level of hazard on our roads.
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(2) Some European countries, such as Norway and the Netherlands, are no longer installing wire rope barriers while others, such as Sweden, are using them extensively.
(3) - (8) A review of Australian Standard for Road Safety Barriers AS 3845 is currently being undertaken by a national committee, which includes representatives from Main Roads WA and the Australian Motorcycle Council. However, wire rope barriers are not being considered as part of this review. Wire rope barriers generally have superior performance or containment characteristics to other barrier types in most situations and are considered to be a useful safety device when employed in appropriate situations.
Wire rope barriers have been used in WA since 1995. Main Roads is aware of only one fatal motorcycle accident occurring on a public road in Western Australia involving wire rope barriers. This crash involved a motorcyclist travelling on Kwinana Freeway, at well above the posted speed limit, who collided with several other vehicles before leaving the road carriageway.
Main Roads investigates all serious and fatal crashes to identify if the road environment has contributed in any way. The performance of all barriers, including wire rope, will continue to be monitored to ensure they remain appropriate for the task of restraining errant vehicles and reducing the level of hazard on our roads.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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