Published Friday, 11 July, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Wet weather warning system to make Kuranda Range Road even safer
A new wet weather warning system alerting motorists to slippery road conditions would make the Kuranda Range Road even safer, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
Mr Pitt and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall activated the new safety system today at the bottom of the range road at Smithfield.
At the same time, Mr Pitt released data showing that the number of crashes on the Kuranda Range Road had dropped by 60 per cent since the speed limit was dropped to 60km/h in sections late last year.
Mr Pitt said the new warning system consisted of a "Slippery when wet" sign mounted on a pole with flashing amber lights.
"It is designed to alert drivers to wet and potentially slippery conditions, and reinforce the need to for them to drive with extra care,” he said.
Mr Wettenhall said the rain-activated lights would flash periodically during rain events and would continue to flash for 20 minutes after rain had stopped.
"This is one example of how intelligent transport systems technology can improve road safety for motorists. A similar system is already in place at the Machans Beach roundabout on the Captain Cook Highway," Mr Wettenhall said.
Mr Pitt said anecdotal evidence had shown that this technology successfully raised driver awareness of specific road conditions.
"This is a trial. If the technology proves reliable, Main Roads will install more of these signs on the range," he said.
Mr Pitt said the rain-activated warning system was one of several measures being implemented on the Kuranda Range Road as part of the Queensland Government's commitment to improve safety and driving conditions for motorists.
He said the measures were already proving to be successful.
“Main Roads reduced the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h in both directions on the Kuranda Road Range on 15 December 2007 between Streets Creek and Smithfield,” Mr Pitt said.
“Since then, the number of crashes on the Kuranda Range has fallen by more than 60 per cent.
“Motorists report that the reduction of the speed limit on the Kuranda Range Road has had a real calming effect. They are less stressed and feel that the 60km/h limit is a safer speed when travelling that stretch of the range.”
Mr Wettenhall said the 63 per cent fall in the number of crashes supported the government’s decision to reduce the speed limit.
"There were four crashes resulting in injury from the beginning of December 2007 up to the end of June 2008. During the same period a year ago, there were 11 accidents resulting in injury,” he said.
"Other safety improvements implemented in the past six months include one kilometre of extra guardrail, which has been installed at several locations identified as risk zones by an independent safety audit, new warning signs such as curve warning and directional signs, and the replacement of all worn or damaged guide posts.”
Mr Wettenhall said resurfacing work to improve skid resistance and driver safety had commenced and would continue for the next few months at various locations on the range road.
“These works are in addition to the SMS alert trial that was introduced earlier this year,” he said.
“Under this system, motorists who have registered with Main Roads to receive the SMS service are alerted of any events or incidents likely to cause closures longer than 30 minutes on the range road.
“This service has proved to be quite successful and complements the other safety measures.”
Media contact: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr Wettenhall’s Office 4038 2800
Mr Pitt and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall activated the new safety system today at the bottom of the range road at Smithfield.
At the same time, Mr Pitt released data showing that the number of crashes on the Kuranda Range Road had dropped by 60 per cent since the speed limit was dropped to 60km/h in sections late last year.
Mr Pitt said the new warning system consisted of a "Slippery when wet" sign mounted on a pole with flashing amber lights.
"It is designed to alert drivers to wet and potentially slippery conditions, and reinforce the need to for them to drive with extra care,” he said.
Mr Wettenhall said the rain-activated lights would flash periodically during rain events and would continue to flash for 20 minutes after rain had stopped.
"This is one example of how intelligent transport systems technology can improve road safety for motorists. A similar system is already in place at the Machans Beach roundabout on the Captain Cook Highway," Mr Wettenhall said.
Mr Pitt said anecdotal evidence had shown that this technology successfully raised driver awareness of specific road conditions.
"This is a trial. If the technology proves reliable, Main Roads will install more of these signs on the range," he said.
Mr Pitt said the rain-activated warning system was one of several measures being implemented on the Kuranda Range Road as part of the Queensland Government's commitment to improve safety and driving conditions for motorists.
He said the measures were already proving to be successful.
“Main Roads reduced the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h in both directions on the Kuranda Road Range on 15 December 2007 between Streets Creek and Smithfield,” Mr Pitt said.
“Since then, the number of crashes on the Kuranda Range has fallen by more than 60 per cent.
“Motorists report that the reduction of the speed limit on the Kuranda Range Road has had a real calming effect. They are less stressed and feel that the 60km/h limit is a safer speed when travelling that stretch of the range.”
Mr Wettenhall said the 63 per cent fall in the number of crashes supported the government’s decision to reduce the speed limit.
"There were four crashes resulting in injury from the beginning of December 2007 up to the end of June 2008. During the same period a year ago, there were 11 accidents resulting in injury,” he said.
"Other safety improvements implemented in the past six months include one kilometre of extra guardrail, which has been installed at several locations identified as risk zones by an independent safety audit, new warning signs such as curve warning and directional signs, and the replacement of all worn or damaged guide posts.”
Mr Wettenhall said resurfacing work to improve skid resistance and driver safety had commenced and would continue for the next few months at various locations on the range road.
“These works are in addition to the SMS alert trial that was introduced earlier this year,” he said.
“Under this system, motorists who have registered with Main Roads to receive the SMS service are alerted of any events or incidents likely to cause closures longer than 30 minutes on the range road.
“This service has proved to be quite successful and complements the other safety measures.”
Media contact: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr Wettenhall’s Office 4038 2800