Response to Further Advice - Road Safety Audit Report 22BRT0122 RSA_2_250722 · OPW25/0042

  2.3 The Safe System
  The Safe System philosophy is an internationally recognised approach in terms of dealing with the issue of
  road safety. This is underpinned by four key elements (‘pillars’) that influence safety outcomes. This includes:

  •     Safe Roads
  •     Safe Speeds
  •     Safe Vehicles
  •     Safe People

  The Safe System approach recognises that all people make mistakes which lead to road crashes. Recognising
  this fact, the above four elements should work together in order to reduce the likelihood of Fatal and Serious
  Injuries (FSIs) on the road network. Working in harmony, if all elements are strengthened they result in a
  multiplying effect to eliminate FSIs. However, if one element fails there is redundancy in the system so road
  users are still protected. Further details covering the Safe System is included in the Austroads Guide to Road
  Safety Part 1: Introduction and the Safe System (GRS Part 1).

  The Safe System philosophy has been considered as part of this RSA in the following ways:

  1. Identifying road safety issues likely to result in FSI crashes.
  2. Relating possible crash severity/forces to levels likely to results in FSIs and giving these a heightened
     priority.
  3. Considering recommendations/treatments in alignment with the Safe System elements with the aim to
     eliminate FSIs.

  With regards to Item 2 above, an understanding of the kinetic energy in crashes is important to estimating
  likely crash severity. The Austroads GRS Part 6 suggests the following are the predominant crash types in
  Australia and New Zealand that typically result in FSIs:

  •     Head on crashes
  •     Intersection crashes
  •     Run-off road crashes
  •     Vulnerable road user crashes (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, children/elderly).

  Austroads GRS Part 1 also suggests the critical crash speeds for the above crash types is as follows:

  •     Head-on vehicle-to-vehicle (equal mass) crash:        70 km/h.
  •     Side impact vehicle-to-vehicle crash:                 50 km/h
  •     Vehicle striking a pole or tree:                      40 km/h
  •     Pedestrian /motorcyclists struck by vehicle:          30 km/h

  This information has been considered when completing the risk assessment and ranking of road safety issues
  identified as part of this RSA. Further details on this are provided in Section 4.2.


Site: Serenity Close Noosa Heads – Thematic RSA Report
Reference: 22BRT0122 RP01_2_RSA