Traffic Management and Safety

ARSC2015 puts road safety in the spotlight

ARSC2015 puts road safety in the spotlight

ARSC2015 puts road safety in the spotlightA recently completed three-year study by the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) investigated different strategies to mitigate safety hazards at roadwork sites, including speeding.

The study, Safety of Workers at Roadwork Sites, tested and evaluated the use of Variable Message Signs (VMS), police enforcement (with and without VMS), pilot vehicles and remote-controlled traffic devices at roadwork sites.

CARRS-Q compiled a list of these potential safety treatments and discussed them with experts from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to understand the challenges and outcomes of their implementation.

Ashim Debnath, from CARRS-Q and the Queensland University of Technology, was part of the team that conducted the study, and will present the findings at the inaugural Australasian Road Safety Conference (ARSC2015) held at the Gold Coast from 14 to 16 October this year. The submission was one of more than 280 received for consideration, and forms part of an extensive three-day program of plenary, concurrent and workshop sessions.

Narelle Haworth, CARRS-Q Acting Director and Conference Chair, says the conference organising committee has been thrilled with the level of interest in the new event. “Abstract submissions have been received from all over the world,” she says. A wide variety of topics under the conference theme “Taking Action Together” have been included in the bounty of submitted papers.

Prof. Haworth says the conference program promises a dynamic showcase of the latest in research, practice and developments in road safety. Overarching themes include road safety management, infrastructure, safe vehicles, road user behaviour and post-crash care. Barry Watson, CEO of the Global Road Safety Partnership in Geneva; Gavin Smith, CEO of Bosch Australia; and Brian Owler, President of the Australian Medical Association are the conference’s keynote speakers.

ARSC2015 merges two historic road safety conferences, the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) Conference, and the Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education (RSRPE) Conference. The event also includes the 2015 Australasian College of Road Safety Awards. It is expected to attract over 400 delegates working in a wide range of industries who contribute to improving road safety outcomes.

Lauchlan McIntosh, President of the Australasian College of Road Safety, says the event will bring many of the leading figures in the industry together with a common goal. He says that the focus is on reviewing where Australian road safety strategies are at, what is next for road safety around the country and how to reduce road trauma in the years ahead. “It’s going to be a busy, thought-provoking and powerful three days,” he says.

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