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Question and Answer Tracking Details

5091 - Regional Transport and Roads - GROUND LEVEL ROAD SAFETY BARRIERS

Hurst, Emma to the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts, Vice-President of the Executive Council representing the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

On some rural roads in addition to the steel W-beam road safety barrier there is an additional metal barrier resting on the ground at an angle.

(1) What is the purpose of the additional ground level barrier?

(2) Are the additional barriers necessary for road safety?

(3) Have any assessments been done to assess the risks to wildlife of these barriers?

 
Answer -

I am advised:

(1) Due to the safety benefits, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) supports the installation of motorcycle underrun at road sections and/or routes that pose the highest crash risk to motorcyclists. Motorcycle underrun is most commonly installed on curves with a nonstandard curve radius. Additionally, motorcycle underrun is appropriate on roads carrying significant volumes of motorcyclists and at locations with known motorcycle single vehicle off-road crashes.

(2) The installation of additional ground level barriers are necessary for improving road safety on the road network. Research by TfNSW found the inclusion of motorcycle underrun as an addition to roadside barriers will result in a 20 per cent reduction in the severity of a single vehicle off-carriageway motorcycle crash. Safety barriers are a popular and proven countermeasure used to protect vehicle occupants from roadside hazards.

(3) No formal wildlife assessments have been made for the following safety barriers:

  • Biker-shield motorcyclist rub rail
  • HIASA motorcyclist protection device
  • INGAL motorcyclist protection rail
  • NSW motorcyclist protection system;

The INGAL fencing is expected to be permeable to most native wildlife, while the HIASA and NSW Motorist Protection System are expected to be permeable to smaller species. The biker-shield fencing is likely to only allow animals capable of jumping the fence to enter and exit the road corridor. The appropriateness of each type of fence in any particular circumstance is determined on a case-by-case basis.

 

Question asked on 2 March 2021 (session 57-1) and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 447
Answer received on 23 March 2021 and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 462

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.