Summary

The legal implications of the use of frangible or break-away poles is investigated. It is concluded that road authorities that use frangible poles will not normally be held liable to persons injured by them. Authorities who use rigid poles instead of safer equipment may be held liable in negligence in some circumstances. Potential defendants are identified.

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Summary

This is the final report of a project (IRRD No. 605759) which involved a critical review of Australian and overseas urban planning practice aimed at road safety improvements, based on direct contact with urban local government authorities and planning bodies and an extensive literature search. The report summarises the sources of information and outlines the recommended planning practices found in key Australian, Swedish and South African guidelines. The extent of actual application of these principles is then discussed.

Summary

A review of the literature relating to breaking stability and handling of motorcycles was undertaken. Evidence of relationships between motorcycle characteristics and accidents was sought. Anecdotal evidence of operational problems published in user magazines was also reviewed. Experimental and analytical investigations of motorcycle dynamics, and the effects of accessories, tyres and machine modifications were surveyed. Problem areas were identified and priorities for further research recommended.

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Summary

This report describes the use of alcohol and medication reported by weekend, night-time drivers surveyed at random by Police in Victoria, Australia and Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. In Melbourne 5.3% of these drivers had used alcohol, 8.4% had used medication and 18.7% had used alcohol and medication or both. These figures were 2 .1 %, 2.6% and 3.7% respectively for drivers in rural Victoria. In Belfast, they were l.5%, 5.5% and 6.6% respectively.

Summary

Vehicle occupants were observed at five classes of site (driveway service and self-serve service stations, fast food outlets, parking areas, signalised intersection) in the Canberra region. The rate of seat belt wearing, the primary variable, varied significantly over the classes of site. The rate was low for occupants with static seat belts, for young occupants, and on days when the road surface was dry. Drivers were interviewed at four classes of site (signalised intersections were excluded).

Summary

In January 1979 the Office of Road Safety, Department of Transport, Australia, commissioned B.J. Eliiott and Associates to develop approaches to drink-driving publicity. In October that year, a detailed interim report (Elliott & Peberdy) specified the options available and recommended a communications strategy. These options were based upon original research conducted by one of the authors in Tasmania, together with a thorough review of relevant existing literature and communication efforts from around the world.

Summary

A pilot experimental investigation was made of the effects of motorcycle brake control gains on rider subjective opinion and objective performance in emergency stopping manoeuvres. A variable braking control gradient (VBCG) motorcycle was developed for the experiment which allowed independent variation of the force and displacement control gains of the front and rear wheel brakes. Development of the VBCG system was preceded by a comprehensive investigation of the braking performance characteristics of three production motorcycles.

Summary

To determine the differences between the control strategiesof skilled and less-skilled riders as they control the lateral and longitudinal motion of a motorcycle, a study motorcycle handling skills and their assessment was carried out. For the experiments, an instrumented motorcycle was developed which allowed the recording of the various rider/cycle control and response variables while skill tests were being conducted. Riders with a range of riding skills performed a standard skill test and an alternative skill test on the instrumented motorcycle.