OUR CAPABILITIES

ARRB is a recognised leader in the development of the Safe System vision for road transport. The Safe System approach involves a holistic view of the road transport system and the interactions among roads and roadsides, travel speeds, vehicles and road users. It is an inclusive approach that caters for all groups using the road system, including drivers, motorcyclists, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and commercial and heavy vehicle drivers.

The Safe System approach recognises that people will always make mistakes and may have road crashes—but the system should be forgiving and those crashes should not result in death or serious injury.

ARRB produces national and international guidelines and tools to improve the road and roadside environment in order to deliver safe, economical and efficient road design solutions. We also identify and evaluate innovative road infrastructure treatments to determine safety and other operational implications. Guidance and advice is provided on a range of road infrastructure issues that should be considered in developing projects, including:

• Road safety risk assessment based on proactive and reactive approaches
• Road design solutions for different environments (including rural, urban and local roads) and different road user groups (pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, heavy vehicles and passenger vehicles)
• The link between road function, supporting infrastructure and appropriate speed management
• Guidance on roadside safety, including the selection and use of appropriate road safety barrier systems.

User-centred design of the road transport system is critical to ensure that it delivers all the services and benefits that customers expect, now and in the future. These include safety, comfort, efficiency, ease of use, and pleasure. Research into human factors and ergonomics has made important contributions to the design, development, operation and evaluation of road transport systems to optimise customer experience and safety. However, as the road transport system evolves, so too will the role of humans within the system. We focus on those human issues critical in the design and operation of the road transport system and how these are likely to change as the road transport system becomes increasingly automated, connected and service oriented.

The way transport systems are being used is changing. Monitoring these changes, understanding the factors that drive them, and determining their implications for safety and efficiency is a growing component of the work undertaken by ARRB’s Transport Safety team.

We research and offer solutions to transport safety challenges involving all elements of the Safe System. Services provided include the identification of best practice, well-designed evaluations, production of national and international guidelines, and contributions to transport safety, safe road infrastructure, workplace road safety, transport efficiency, transport integration, road user education and driver / rider licensing.

Effective management of speed is an important consideration in the safe and efficient operation of road networks. From a safety perspective, there is a very clear link between increase in speeds and severity of outcomes when crashes occur. It is important to identify the function and use of roads, and design infrastructure and speed management provision accordingly. ARRB has conducted extensive research on the link between speed, infrastructure design and safety outcomes. Guidance is available on appropriate speed limits, and infrastructure provision to support appropriate speeds. ARRB has also developed tools for the assessment of appropriate speed limits including ‘XLimits’ which is used throughout Australia and internationally, including the US. ARRB monitors speeds on a network or project basis using traditional as well as cutting edge approaches, including the use of telematics data.