Motorcycle safety route review: a case study

There is an increasing trend in the number of motorcycle crashes not only within NSW but generally across Australia. While rider behaviour may be a critical factor in many of the crashes, road authorities, through a safe systems approach need to focus even more to provide a safer road environment for these vulnerable road users. This case study focuses on Putty Road which runs from the north west outskirts of Sydney, north through the Wollemi National Park to just south of Singleton (north west of Newcastle). It is a well publicised route for recreational motorcyclists and is known as a scenic route with a challenging alignment for riders. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are over represented in the casualty crash statistics for this road. In mid 2007 the RTA's Road Safety and Traffic Management Branch in Newcastle undertook analysis of an 82km section of the Putty Road to determine options to reduce motorcycle crashes. A working party (consisting of road safety practitioners, asset maintenance staff and NSW police) was formed to examine road use, driver behaviour and various elements of the current design of the road. The group identified a range of low cost treatments that were able to be implemented in a short time frame and were targeted at areas where clusters of crashes were occurring. The treatments adopted included installation of high visibility signage, motorcycle specific awareness campaigns, speed zone reductions and a number of engineering treatments. Analysis of the crash statistics in the three years since the treatments were installed shows a decrease in motorcycle crashes. The strategy used for this route has since been adopted for other motorcycle routes in the Hunter Region.