Abstract
A Raised Safety Platform (RSP) is a relatively new physical road safety intervention at major intersections. They aim to enhance road user safety by reducing vehicle speeds at intersections using an acute vertical deflection to the vehicle path. This study measured the change in speed at selected high-volume intersections treated with an RSP. It was a 12-month study based on a controlled before-and-after-treatment design, with speed and other measures assessed at six treated and five control intersections. Statistically significant and meaningful reductions in speeds were observed given the treatment and adjusted for the control group. A 15.6% reduction in the central tendency of speed was found overall. The odds of a vehicle exceeding nominal Safe System speeds of 30 km/h, 40 km/h, and 50 km/h also reduced markedly, with greater reductions observed at the higher speed thresholds (46%, 69%, and 80%, respectively). The change in speed corresponded to an estimated aggregate-level injurious crash-reduction benefit of around 26% and a reduction in the likelihood of a serious injury given a crash of between 38% to 57% depending on the crash type. It was concluded that RSP is an effective Safe System treatment to reduce speeds at major intersections to levels similar that at roundabouts. The results suggest that well designed RSPs at signalised intersections are an effective and sustainable Safe System treatment.
Highlights
Current traffic-calming measures, such as Raised Safety Platforms (RSPs), are used for speed reduction, safety enhancement, reduced air pollution, and noise reduction [1,2] and have more commonly been introduced to the intersection of local roads
The study set out to examine the changes between the before-and-after-treatment periods in terms of speed reductions at each individual site and overall
The RSPs in this study have substantially reduced vehicle speeds at the treated sites compared to the control sites
Summary
Current traffic-calming measures, such as Raised Safety Platforms (RSPs), are used for speed reduction, safety enhancement, reduced air pollution, and noise reduction [1,2] and have more commonly been introduced to the intersection of local roads They are typically used by traffic engineers to moderate vehicle speeds when required, or to deflect vehicles from using particular streets and roadways. It is likely to be discomfort that largely motivates the change in speed behaviour, noting that riders of bicycles and motorcycles in particular have been observed to complain of their use, and some medical practitioners have claimed they present a health hazard They are designed to encourage safer speeds whilst minimising undue road-user discomfort and minimising the risk of vehicle damage, including rollover (of heavy vehicles). The grade of the approach ramp varies on account of the operating speed limit and the pre-build road surface grade but is typically 1 in 15 (6.7%)
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