A review of road and traffic factors in truck accidents: Australian truck safety, study task 1

This report is part of Phase 1 of the Australian Truck Safety Study. It comprises an overview of road and traffic factors in truck crashes. Previous work on truck crash statistics are reviewed. Freeways are much safer than other roads, but cannot be justified on safety grounds alone. Road design standards are generally adequate, but much of the road network remains to be brought up to these standards. Particularly hazardous features are identified, as are traffic engineering practices which would benefit trucks. Safety audits, improving delineation, and shoulder sealing appear to be the actions with the biggest safety pay-offs without the need for large investment. Other actions are assessed in detail. There is a need for further research into the relationship between road alignment, geometric standards and crashes, urban truck crashes, delineation and weight-specific advisory signs.