Road Safety Research at Unsignalised Intersections within Wagga Wagga

The project aim is to research intersection road safety outcomes resulting from the introduction of un-signalised right-hand turning treatments, to determine if they should be considered as future works at intersections within the township of Wagga Wagga and if so, at which locations. The Sturt highway is a major east-west link through the Murray & Riverina region. It commences at the Hume highway junction in the east, travelling west for 985 kilometres until it reaches Adelaide. In Wagga Wagga, the highway runs along the southern edge of the Central Business District where heavy Vehicles, residential and local traffic all interact. The Highway also crosses four main North‐South arterial roads. Both the Highway and the Arterial roads similarly allow right hand turning movements at un-signalised intersections. There were 33 casualty crashes that occurred on the Sturt Highway in 2016 and 45% of those occurred in the City of Wagga Wagga. A quantitative research approach was used to formulate trends in crash data at un-signalised intersection locations. The trends identified that right-hand turning movements were a significant factor. Traffic modelling of the existing intersection arrangements showed that right hand turning movements out of the minor intersections legs often had unacceptable levels of service. Out of the five intersections being analysed, four were deemed to be unacceptable. Conceptual Designs were developed at each of the intersections that aim to improve safety performance and cater for un-signalised right hand turning movements. Each design is proposed to be retrofitted within the existing road formation. As a result only a number of cost items were required that included Kerb and Gutter, Pavement Marking (including removal) and Signposting. There is no requirement for pavement or resealing works. A cost-benefit analysis determined that four out of the five intersection designs proved to be beneficial to the public and as a result are recommended for further investigation, detailed design and implementation. It has been concluded that Un-signalised intersections within Wagga Wagga would benefit from Right hand turning treatments. Their implementation would help reduce rear-end type collisions, increase levels of service and can typically be implemented with little costs whilst utilising existing formation widths