Analysis of high-speed rural traffic crashes within the South-West district of Toowoomba regional council

This project aims to investigate road crashes on classified roads in the regional districts of Toowoomba Regional Council. This task was completed by undertaking analysis of crash data received from Transport and Main Roads Toowoomba, \nspecifically identifying whether local trends followed those experienced elsewhere in Australia. Crash features analysed included crash time, day and month, severity as \nwell as crash rates for each classified road. This process also aimed to find out which crash types are most common for the survey area. \n \nIn terms of fatal and injury crashes, the local data recorded an average lower than that of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ARRB, 2008). Contrary to \nthis finding, fatal crash rates in the local region averaged over twice the results recorded for both Queensland and Australia for the corresponding period 2005-2010 (BITRE, 2011). Despite their higher traffic volumes, the National Highways recorded lower crash rates than the Other State Controlled Roads for the region when considering traffic volume and road length. The highest crash rates occurred on Murphy’s Creek Road and Greenmount Connection Road. \n \nCrash feature trends in the local data were similar to that in other areas of Australia; similar proportions between single and multiple vehicle crashes resulted, with noncollision crashes on straights and curves recording the highest frequencies. Research conducted as part of the literature review revealed the horizontal alignment has \nsubstantial influence on crash rates, particularly where sharp horizontal curves are present. Considering the common crash type results mentioned, three crash locations \nwere selected from the data for detailed analysis of their geometric elements and road furniture considering relevant industry guidelines and standards. \n \nThe three sites selected were located on Clifton-Leyburn Road, Pittsworth-Felton Road and Toowoomba-Karara Road. All three sites failed to meet aspects of Austroads geometric design guidelines; generally, the operating speed, horizontal curve radius and superelevation values were insufficient. Conversely, road furniture standards for all sites were generally good. \n \nDue to the likely financial constraints, recommendations for these sites include; \n- improvement of the road surface, removing any significant depressions and ruts \n- where operating speed is an issue, increase superelevation values to acceptable values \n- upgrade and/or maintain the level of road furniture to the standards set out in TMR’s MUTCD.