Tuesday, 5 March 2019
Austroads has launched a new tool and report on Infrastructure Risk Rating (IRR), a simple road assessment methodology designed to assess road safety risk at a network level, primarily as an input to the speed limit setting process.
Inappropriate or excessive speed is a major road safety issue. Effective speed management is fundamental and critical to reducing speed-related road trauma.
Speed limit setting is at the core of speed management. Speed limits need to be set at a safe and appropriate level, considering the function, design and safety of the road.
The report explores the application of IRR in Australia, with particular emphasis on how it may be used by State and local governments to inform speed management on their road networks.
The report also presents a range of case studies and identifies good practice guidance for engagement and consultation to effectively implement speed management interventions.
Four IRR trials were undertaken to test the applicability of IRR for Australian roads on a broad range of road environments, including urban and rural roads with variable roadside features.
A web tool has been developed based on these findings and is intended to help practitioners calculate the IRR of any section of road in Australia or New Zealand. This tool is free for practitioners to access and is complemented with an IRR manual and webtool user guide.
A range of recommendations were identified for road controlling authorities to effectively implement speed management interventions and are included in this report.
Report link: Road Risk Assessment, Case Studies and Engagement Guidance for Speed Management
Infrastructure Risk Rating Tool link: https://irrtool.austroads.com.au/
Webtool Manual link: Infrastructure Risk Rating Manual for Australian Roads
Webtool User Guide link: Infrastructure Risk Rating Quick User Guide
Webinar link: Road Risk Assessment, Case Studies and Engagement Guidance for Speed Management