Latest news with #MarioMongiardini
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.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers warned as little-known road markings could be rolled out across Australia
As authorities continue to grapple with the concerning rate of people dying and getting seriously injured in collisions on Aussie roads, the tough approach by many state governments is leaving many drivers "fed up" with the constant threats of hefty fines and loss of demerit points. However drastic action needs to be taken to achieve the ambitious goal of achieving zero deaths and serious injuries by 2050. As high-tech mobile and seatbelt detection cameras reach saturation point — with motorists in one city set to be confronted by nine cameras in one 25km stretch of freeways — authorities are now looking at alternative approaches. One innovative trial being run by scientists in Adelaide has seen a new type of road marking intended to quickly grab the attention of drivers and alert them to a change up ahead without the threat of a fine or loss of demerit points. Known as 'dragon's teeth', the three-dimensional road markings are meant to "increase driver attention and create a sense of warning," leading road safety scientist at the University of Adelaide Mario Mongiardini told Yahoo News. If successful, the markings could be seen across the country, because they can be implemented "cheaply and quickly" by authorities. Made of thermoplastic, the road markings are easy for councils and road authorities to implement and are designed to be durable and offer friction and grip for cyclists and motorcyclists. Inspiration for the road markings came from Singapore, where a similar design is used to warn drivers of a change in the speed limit in the city centre. "They noticed drivers started to become much more compliant," Mario explained. "So that is one source of inspiration." Adelaide is not the only place they exist in Australia, with RAA Senior Traffic Engineer Matt Vertudaches, explaining "similar markings, without the 3D effect are used at school zones in other states such as NSW, where they indicate to drivers that there is an elevated risk and lower speeds may be more appropriate." Dr Chris Stokes, another researcher at the University of Adelaide explained that reducing speed limits as a safety measure is a relatively new phenomenon. "Ten to 15 years ago, you didn't see these sorts of pedestrian areas where authorities would reduce the speed limit, especially on main roads," he said. "Now we have reduced speed limits for these pedestrian precincts." It means that drivers aren't always aware of the change, despite road markings. "Sometimes they are not that clear, the purpose of the treatment is to make it more clear to the driver where they are leaving one type of area and entering another type of area." Both researchers warned that the markings must be part of a multifaceted approach to road safety, with this specific road treatment thought to only work effectively if they're used sparingly. "You can't expect to have them around every corner, if that happens, people will quickly lose trust in the system," he explained. "They are not to be used where the environment speaks for itself." The markings are supposed to be used as a "complimentary" tactic, to work in tandem with reduced speed limits and changing the texture of roads too. "Hopefully if it's successful you may see them in some areas of Australia," Mario said, but "don't expect to see them all over the road, only where they are needed." In Australia, around 1,200 people are killed each year on our roads and about 40,000 are seriously injured. Despite lofty goals to reduce that number, the numbers don't appear to be budging. "Speed is the key factor in 99 per cent of crashes," Chris said. "The faster you hit an object, the harder the impact is going to be." The researchers will begin collecting data next week before rolling out the markings at two more sites across Adelaide. If the trial proves to be "effective at mitigating travel speed", Aussies could see it on a road near them soon. "We know we need to try something new, what we have now is not going to be enough to achieve this ambitious goal to reach zero deaths by 2050." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
