Road Safety Audit Report: Mossman - MT Molloy Road
Road Safety Audit Report: Mossman - MT Molloy Road
Road Safety Audit Report: Mossman - MT Molloy Road
Prepared by
RECS Consulting Engineers
& Building Design
PO Box 894
PORT DOUGLAS QLD 4877
Phone:(07) 4099 6010
Email:[email protected]
Prepared for
JAMARR
Julatten & Mt Molloy Association of
Residents & Ratepayers Inc.
P O Box 30
Mt Molloy QLD 4871
BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................... 3
AUDIT PROCESS................................................................................................................. 6
CHECKLISTS ....................................................................................................................... 8
APPENDIX A ...................................................................................................................... 39
This report presents the findings of a road safety audit (Stage 5 – Existing Road Phase)
based on Austroads AGRS06-09) conducted on the Mossman – Mt Molloy Road in June &
July, 2014.
BACKGROUND
The Captain Cook Highway and Mossman – Mt Molloy Road is a State Controlled Road
(SCR) under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Routine
maintenance of the road is undertaken by Douglas and Mareeba Shire Councils under local
government road maintenance arrangements and periodic capital works funding programs.
In April, 2013 Mackay Sugar Limited announced that Cane Supply Agreements with cane
growers on the Atherton Tablelands will result in approximately 700,000 tonnes of cane
being supplied from the Atherton Tablelands to Mackay Sugar’s Mossman Mill from 2014.
In October, 2013 Mackay Sugar announced the transport of sugar cane from Mackay
Sugar’s Tablelands cane supply network to Mossman Mill would be by road trailer.
The most direct route from the Atherton Tablelands to the Mossman Mill is via the Mount
Molloy - Mossman Road. Road Trains and B double are prohibited on the Mareeba to
Cairns section of the Kennedy Highway. The Giles Highway is not a designated MC route.
An alternate route is available along the Palmerston Highway south of Cairns.
RECS Consulting Engineers & Building Design (RECS) was commissioned by Julatten &
Mt Molloy Association of Residents & Ratepayers Inc. (JAMARR) to undertake a Road
Safety Audit of the Mt Molloy – Mossman Road amid concerns to the general community,
road users and local residents.
A senior engineer from RECS undertook opening meetings with Queensland Police Service
Officers at Mt Molloy, Mossman and Port Douglas Stations to outline the scope of the audit
and to record known concerns and reports of incidents known to the Officers.
The route is a popular tourist road frequented by travellers to the Atherton Tablelands as
well as Cooktown and Cape York. The route is a popular training circuit for bicyclists and
recreational motor cyclists on weekends.
Road accident data indicates no serious incidents but are likely to be associated with a
change in the road environment from adjoining sections as well as the adjacent intersection
each side of the structure.
TRAFFIC DATA
Traffic volumes recorded along the route are:
It is estimated that the proposal to transport sugar cane by road will increase Road Train
vehicle traffic by an additional 90 vehicles per day one way.
AUDIT PROCESS
AUDIT METHODOLOGY
a) General Topics
b) Design Issues
c) Alignment
d) Accesses
e) Special Road Users
f) Signs
g) Physical Objects
h) Construction and Operation Use
i) Accident and injury data
Accident data
Traffic data
Accident and injury data
CHECKLISTS
The audit utilised checklists provided by Austroads Road Safety Audit Manual - 2009. The
completed checklists for Stage 5 – Existing Road are included in Appendix A.
- Priority A: Those issues that have a high priority for action from a road safety viewpoint
- Priority B: Those issues for which action needs to be taken from a road safety viewpoint
- Priority C: Those issues for which action is desirable from a road safety viewpoint.
1 Various Restricted sight distances at private Provide sight distances and delineation to lookouts,
locations accesses and intersections driveways and property entrances in accordance with
along route B TMR Road Planning and Design Manual requirements.
Provide and maintain advanced warning signs.
2 Various Narrow lane widths Increase lane widths including curve widening to
locations prevent road train vehicle encroachment into adjoining
along route A lanes and verges along entire route in accordance
with TMR Road Planning and Design Manual
requirements.
3 Various Absent or narrow road shoulder Increase shoulder widths along entire route in
locations accordance with TMR Road Planning and Design
B
along route Manual requirements and improved provision for
pedestrian and cyclist road safety.
4 Spear, Rifle Bridge barrier and connections to Ensure that the barriers and connections meets
and Pashens approach safety barrier is not structural and collision requirements and does not
bridge barrier likely to meet current standards. B adversely affect motorist safety and operation.
and safety rail
Install and maintain barrier end and safety railing
delineation.
5 Route Taper lengths and HV turning at Review existing intersection layouts to ensure
intersections intersection Layout B adequate for road train vehicles in accordance with
TMR Road Planning and Design Manual requirements
6 Entire route Loss of sign and pavement marking Remove and prevent dirt and mud from depositing on
reflectivity and condition carriageway. Inspect and maintain sign position and
B
reflectivity class. Schedule to re-apply pavement
markings and schedule periodic maintenance.
7 Entire route Loss of centerline delineation. B Install and maintain damaged / missing RRPMs
8 Various Deposition of loose material, Sealed adjoining gravel areas. Ensure that
locations pavement failures and accelerated scheduled road maintenance activities are
along route pavement fatigue A undertaken in a timely manner and preserve
pavement conditions to minimise rough or unsafe
road surface conditions.
9 Various Unprotected culverts and drainage Delineate, shield and protect structures
locations structures inside the roadway B
along route recovery area
10 Range Lack of provision for emergency and Provide for emergency breakdown areas
Section of vehicle breakdown areas C
Route
11 Range Lack of provision for runaway heavy Provide treatment for control of runaway heavy
Section of vehicles C vehicles.
Route
12 Range Limited overtaking opportunity Provide for slow vehicle lanes and increased
Section of increasing travel time, driver B overtaking opportunities
Route frustration and erratic driver behavior
13 Various Cutting and embankment instability Undertake slope risk assessment for embankments
locations and cuttings along the route. Install protective
along route B
measures as recommended to prevent slip debris
from road encroachment
14 Mt Molloy &
Cassowary Lack of road train route advisory signs B Installation of road train route advisory signs
Siding
Various Concentrated discharge from adjoining Installation of diversions drains to intercept
15 locations B
properties to roadway. concentrated discharge from adjoining accesses
along route
The road safety audit was carried out by the audit team using all the available material as
referenced. Every effort was made to ensure that all safety issues were considered. The
above safety audit findings and recommendations are the opinion and judgement of the
audit team.
……………………………………………………………………………….………………………………….
Peter Dutaillis
Senior Road Safety Auditor
Consulting Engineer
Restricted width
Entrance to Cassowary Siding for HV – Minimal Intersection Treatments for turning Vehicles
Shallow slip
Adjoining impervious areas and discharge of concentrated sheet flow to carriageway on curve
CHECKLIST
Bruce Highway
Mossman - Mt Molloy Road CONSULTING ENGINEERS
(29-2014) - Road Safety Audit P a g e |1 & BUILDING DESIGN
G U I D E T O R O A D S A F E T Y PA R T 6 : R O A D S A F E T Y A U D I T
Is sight distance adequate for the speed of traffic using the Sections climbing the range have
route? restricted sight distances. Some private
accesses have concealed entrances.
Wessel Rd intersection has restricted
Is adequate sight distance provided for intersections and sight distance for RH turning vehicles.
crossings? (for example, pedestrian, cyclist, cattle, Sight distance for pedestrian, animals
railway) and cyclists is restricted along sections
of the route.
Several properties have limited sight
distance and / or concealed driveways /
Is adequate sight distance provided at all private entrances.
driveways and property entrances?
6.1.4 Overtaking
Increased road train volume and
increased travel times may lead to
Are safe overtaking opportunities provided? queueing traffic behind road trains and
limited relief at overtaking opportunities.
6.1.5 Readability by drivers
Are traffic lane and carriageway widths adequate for the Road verge damage is evident along
traffic volume and mix? several sections
Narrow bridges at Spear and Rifle
Are bridge widths adequate? Creeks
6.1.7 Shoulders
Are shoulders wide enough to allow drivers to regain Limited provision for road shoulders
control of errant vehicles? along entire route
Are shoulders wide enough for broken-down or Limited provision for road shoulders
emergency vehicles to stop safely? along entire route
Limited provision for road shoulders
Are shoulders sealed? along entire route
Are shoulders traffickable for all vehicles and road users? Limited provision for road shoulders
(i.e. are shoulders in good condition) along entire route
Limited provision for road shoulders
Is the transition from road to shoulder safe? (no drop-offs) along entire route
6.1.8 Crossfalls
Review is required to meet current
Is appropriate superelevation provided on curves? standards
Is any adverse crossfall safely managed (for cars, trucks,
etc.)?
Do crossfalls (carriageway and shoulder) provide Concentrated flow would occur during
adequate drainage? high rainfall events
Is the line marking and delineation: RRPMs along centre line are missing
appropriate for the function of the road? and damaged in sections along the
consistent along the route? route.
likely to be effective under all expected
conditions? (day, night, wet, dry, fog, rising and Reflectivity of pavement markings is
setting sun position, oncoming headlights, etc.) fair to poor
6.7.2 Visibility
Are traffic signals clearly visible to approaching motorists?
Not Applicable
Is there adequate stopping sight distance to the ends of
possible vehicle queues?
Have any visibility problems that could be caused by the
rising or setting sun been addressed? Not Applicable
Are signal displays shielded so that they can be seen only
by the motorists for whom they are intended? Not Applicable
Where signal displays are not visible from an adequate
distance, are signal warning signs and/or flashing lights
installed?
Not Applicable
Are there appropriate travel paths and crossing points for Limited provision for pedestrians and
pedestrians and cyclists? cyclists along route
Is a safety fence installed where necessary to guide Limited provision for pedestrians and
pedestrians and cyclists to crossings or overpasses? cyclists along route
Is a safety barrier installed where necessary to separate Limited provision for pedestrians and
vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist flows? cyclists along route
Limited provision for pedestrians and
Are pedestrian and bicycle facilities suitable for night use? cyclists along route
6.8.2 Pedestrians
Is there adequate separation distance between vehicular Limited provision of footways along
traffic and pedestrians on footways? route
Is there an adequate number of pedestrian crossings
along the route? No formal pedestrian areas along route
At crossing points is fencing oriented so pedestrians face
oncoming traffic? As above
Is there adequate provision for the elderly, the disabled,
children, wheelchairs and baby carriages? (for example, As above
holding rails, kerb and median crossings, ramps)
Are adequate hand rails provided where necessary? (for
example, on bridges, ramps) As above
Is signing about pedestrians near schools adequate and
effective? Advisory signs installed
6.9 Bridges and culverts
6.9.1 Design features
6.9.3 Miscellaneous
Are pedestrian facilities on the bridge appropriate and
safe? No pedestrian facilities on bridges
Is fishing from the bridge prohibited? If not, has provision
been made for safe fishing? No provision for fishing
Delineation damaged or missing in
Does delineation continue over the bridge? places
6.10 Pavement
6.10.1 Pavement defects
Is the condition of the pavement edges satisfactory? Pavement defects evident in sections
Is the transition from pavement to shoulder free of Generally narrow or limited shoulder
dangerous edge drop offs? width provided along route.
Are the provisions for, or restrictions on, parking Consider restrictions along range
satisfactory in relation to traffic safety? section.
Is the frequency of parking turnover compatible with the
safety of the route?
Is there sufficient parking for delivery vehicles so that
safety problems due to double parking do not occur?
Are parking manoeuvres along the route possible without Angle parking in Mt Molloy would
causing safety problems? (for example, angle parking) reverse into travel lane
Is the sight distance at intersections and along the route,
unaffected by parked vehicles?
6.12 Provision for heavy vehicles
6.12.1 Design issues
Is the pavement width adequate for heavy vehicles? Pavement width varies. Damage to
road verge is evident
Road is surfaced with a flexible sealed
In general, is the pavement quality sufficient for the safe
travel of heavy and oversized vehicles? pavement. Pavement fatigue is
evident along the route.
On truck routes, are reflective devices appropriate for
truck drivers' eye heights? No known issues
Are all sections of the route free from ponding or flow Bushy Creek and adjoin floodways
across the road during wet weather? regularly cause road closure during the
wet season.
If there is ponding or flow across the road during wet
weather, is there appropriate signposting?
Are floodways and causeways correctly signposted?
6.13.2 Safety of devices
Are all culverts or drainage structures located outside the Road formation width is restricted
clear roadside recovery area?
If not, are they shielded from the possibility of vehicle Road formation width is restricted
collision?
6.14 Miscellaneous
6.14.1 Landscaping No formal landscaping is located along
the route
screening)
6.14.4 Roadside activities
Are the road boundaries free of any activities that are Road stall accesses
likely to distract drivers?
Are all advertising signs installed so that they do not
constitute a hazard?
6.14.5 Errant vehicles
Is the roadside furniture on the verges and footways free Damage to road verges is evident
of damage from errant vehicles that could indicate a
possible problem, hazard or conflict at the site?
6.14.8 Animals
Route transects Mowbray National
Is the route free from large numbers of animals? (for
example, cattle, sheep, kangaroos, koalas, wombats, etc.) Park a World Heritage listed area.
Road kills are evident.
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