Latest news with #DepartmentOfTransport
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New Aussie road markings aimed at giving drivers a 'sense of warning'
As authorities grapple with reducing the number of injuries and deaths on Aussie roads, a trial of a new type of three-dimensional road markings has been expanded in Australia's south, prompting a warning to drivers. Known as 'dragon's teeth', the aim of the road markings is to alert drivers to a change in the road, such as a reduction in the speed limit. The road markings are being trialled in Adelaide as part of a study led by the University of Adelaide's Automotive Safety Research, alongside the Department of Transport. Making them appear 3D, the triangular blue and white markings may "attract more attention" from drivers and encourage them to slow down as they enter a lower-speed zone, leading road safety scientist at the University of Adelaide Mario Mongiardini told Yahoo News. They were installed at Magill Road, Magill, and Seaview Road, Henley Beach, in January, and last week two new locations have been added — Beach Road, Christies Beach and Prospect Road, Prospect. If successful, the markings could be used in high-pedestrian areas across the country, because they can be implemented "cheaply and quickly" by authorities. Researcher Mongiardini explained to Yahoo this type of road treatment is called a "perceptual countermeasure" because it aims to change the perception of road users. "The 3D marking is an evolution of an existing treatment which consists of white triangles only," he said. "The idea was to convert them to look 3D to attract more attention, something drivers cannot miss." The goal was to create a "sense of warning" as drivers move from a 60km/h or 50km/h zone to a reduced 40km/h pedestrian zone. Due to its relatively low cost and easy installation, which takes just two hours, it is an attractive measure for authorities. "This treatment, compared to other treatments, is definitely way cheaper and quicker," Mongiardini said. However, he warns that this treatment "is not meant to be installed everywhere", only where it is really needed, where pedestrians could be at risk. "The idea is to use them only in specific situations, like on a straight road where a speed limit changes, but drivers don't realise that the environment ahead is changing," he explained. It's used as a "heads up". ⚠️ Major road rule change from this week with drivers facing $1,600 fines 🐉 Why 'dragon teeth' are appearing on roads 🛑 Meaning behind little-known roadside marker popping up 'a lot' Results of the trial are due to be collected and analysed later this year, with researchers hoping to see a reduction in speed, even of just four or five kms. "Speed is the key factor in 99 per cent of crashes," Dr Chris Stokes, another researcher at the University of Adelaide, previously told Yahoo. "The faster you hit an object, the harder the impact is going to be." "Even a reduction by four or five km is quite a lot," Mongiardini said. "It means that after the treatment has been installed, drivers start to respect the speed limit and be more aware of the environment. We don't expect dramatic changes in speed." If the trial proves to be "effective at mitigating travel speed", Aussies could see it on a road near them soon. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
ABC News
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- ABC News
Mount Crosby overpass reopens after truck crashes into bridge on Warrego Highway
The damage bill from a truck crash on a major Queensland highway is expected to run into the tens of millions of dollars, and some warn it could happen again unless upgrades are fast-tracked. A truck carrying parts of a wind turbine struck the Mount Crosby Bridge on the Warrego Highway near Ipswich about 1:40am on Friday, after reportedly failing to follow escort vehicles onto an off-ramp. The crash forced the closure of the highway's westbound lanes for two-and-a-half days, disrupting freight and local traffic. One lane on the overpass reopened Tuesday, but the bridge won't be able to carry heavy vehicles until permanent repairs are completed. A Queensland police spokesperson said investigations into the crash were continuing. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the community was relieved to see the highway reopen. "There was a lot of anxiety in our community that this was going to take some time to repair," she said. "Our experience with bridge strikes is they can take over a year [to repair]." Ms Harding said she understood the bill would be "at least tens of millions of dollars". "I understand that [the Department of Transport and Main Roads] will be billing the responsible or the liable organisation for that," she said. The Warrego Highway is a major freight highway that links south-east Queensland to Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and Maranoa region. It connects to other highways, connecting to Mount Isa and the Northern Territory and is a major inland freight route. According to TMR, about 30,000 vehicles use the westbound section of the highway every day. Freight industry advocates said the crash was part of a larger problem — a fragile network that can't handle the increasing number of oversized vehicle movements linked to Queensland's energy and construction boom. The truck was carrying parts of a wind turbine bound for a wind farm construction site in south-west Queensland. Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), which works closely with energy and freight companies as the economic development body for the Darling Downs region, has been campaigning for upgrades to the Warrego Highway for several years. Strategic Partnerships manager Lance MacManus said there were many "inefficiencies" on that part of the highway. "There's been over 2,500 of those heavy traffic movements like that wind tower that we've seen [on the Warrego] since 2019 and we have more to come for wind farms," he said. "We'll probably see that again in the next 18 months. Unfortunately, this was just a really, really public accident." Deficiencies discovered in the nearby Bremer River Bridge forced speed limits to be reduced for all motorists and weight limits introduced for trucks. Oversized heavy vehicles must travel late at night and switch to the eastbound lane when travelling west — closing the highway to all other traffic — and exit and re-enter the highway at the Mount Crosby Bridge due to height restrictions. TMR is currently working on an $85 million project to strengthen the river bridge. Mr MacManus said the detour created added cost for businesses, who he said worked safely and reliably. "The optimal opportunity would be to be able to travel from the Port [of Brisbane] out to site along the Warrego travelling at 80kph with pilot vehicles," he said. "Unfortunately, this [incident] came about because we're trying to create a work around." His colleague, TSBE strategic communications manager Katie Craymer, said it was unknown at this stage when movements would be allowed to return to normal, as current works were just a band-aid fix. "What they're doing at the moment is remedial, they're just trying to keep it up … but it's not going to actually fix it, so even when they finish those remedial works, it's not going to be up to a point where it's going to be better," she said. "It's on life support essentially. "We need visibility to the long-term solution." Ms Craymer said there were many sections of the Warrego Highway, such as the Glenore Grove crossroads in the Lockyer Valley, which get cut off due to flooding, and there was another bridge near Miles that needed urgent upgrades. "The Warrego Highway is actually the second most trafficked highway in Queensland behind the Bruce, so it's not insignificant," she said. She said she wanted to see similar investment as was promised for the Bruce Highway. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the "lack of detail" around works at the Bremer River Bridge, and planned upgrades to the Mount Crosby Bridge and intersection, needed to be sorted quickly. "So far we don't know when the work's going to start and we don't know when it's going to finish, so there's again a bit of anxiety around our community," she said. Transport Minister Brett Mickelberg said there had been a "considerable effort" by all involved to reopen the highway after the wind turbine crash. "Our focus now shifts to making sure the overpass is restored as quickly as possible," he said. "There is considerable damage to the bridge which has been rectified so that it is safe but it won't be able to carry heavy loads until it is repaired properly." The Department of Transport and Main Roads was contacted for comment.
News.com.au
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Overpass to reopen days after Warrego Highway wind turbine bridge strike
Authorities say an overpass on a major Queensland highway that was closed after a truck carrying part of a wind turbine slammed into it could reopen within days. The Warrego Highway - west of Brisbane - was thrown into chaos on Friday morning after the bridge strike, which left the turbine part being carried by the truck wedged underneath the Mount Crosby Road overpass at North Tivoli. The turbine has since been removed and westbound lanes of the highway reopened, but concerns lingered about when the overpass would be back to full capacity. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said on Saturday that the incident was having a 'major impact' for residents and freighting companies moving through the state's southeast, and that the closure of the overpass created a 30-minute detour. 'There's a lot of anxiety in our community about how long it's going to take,' she said as per 9News. 'We have seen other major accidents like this take over a year to be completed, so we're very keen to hear from (the Department of Transport and Main Roads).' The government body soon able to alleviate these fears, confirming to NewsWire that the overpass would reopen before the end of the week on their current timeline. 'The Mount Crosby Road overpass remains closed to traffic, with structural assessments and bridge repairs ongoing,' a TMR spokesperson said. 'Works are continuing to safely reopen part of the overpass to traffic as soon as possible, which may involve speed and load restrictions being put in place, pending the results of the structural assessment. 'This timeline remains dependent on the outcome of structural assessments, weather, safety requirements and construction conditions. 'The public can continue to expect delays, with traffic control in place and warning signs active across the advanced notification network.' Ms Harding has since thanked TMR, police, and Ipswich council workers for their efforts since the bridge strike. 'It took 41 hours from bridge strike to the Warrego opening,' she said. 'TMR will continue to work on repairing the Mount Crosby Road overpass, which remains closed, with at least a partial access opening late this week.' The truck driver, a man in his 50s, was assessed by paramedics at the scene. He was uninjured and has since been taken to Ipswich Hospital for further assessment. Police believe the truck may have failed to follow escorting vehicles up an offramp to go around the Mount Crosby overpass, and instead ploughed into the overhead bridge.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Upgrade of Manadon Roundabout in Plymouth gets £13.3m in funding
Upgrade of busy interchange gets £13.3m in funding The work at Manadon Roundabout is not expected to start until 2028 A "major overhaul" at a key interchange in Plymouth has received further funding from the Department of Transport. An additional £13.3m will be added to the Manadon Roundabout scheme's £156m total, of which £133m has come from government funding. Councillor Mark Coker, cabinet member for transport at Plymouth City Council, said: "Improvements to Manadon are well-overdue so I'm delighted that we have got to this crucial stage of the process." Designs for the upgraded interchange include new junctions, crossings and a different layout, as well as segregated cycle lanes and improved pedestrian paths.
