Upper Murray Region motorcycle route safety improvements
The Upper Murray region in Towong Shire Council is popular with recreational and touring motorcycle riders.
Through a $3.5 million investment, a range of safety treatments will be delivered to provide consistent and predictable riding experiences while reducing rider risks associated with the road environment.
These works include road sealing at driveways and intersections, installation of rub rails to protect motorcyclists, reviewing advisory speed limits, and improved road signage to warn motorcyclists of high-risk locations.
Murray Valley Highway motorcycle route safety improvements between Wodonga (Victoria) and the New South Wales border (Towong Shire)
Cost: $1.7 million
Length: 135km
Start Date: 2021
End Date: 2022
Murray River Road motorcycle route safety improvements between Lake Hume village and the intersection with Murray Valley Highway, Corryong (Towong Shire)
Cost: $1.25 million
Length: 140km
Start Date: 2021
End Date: 2022
Shelley Walwa Road motorcycle route safety improvements between the townships of Walwa and Shelley (Towong Shire)
Cost: $547,000
Length: 32km
Start Date: 2021
End Date: 2022
Forrest Apollo Bay Road motorcycle route safety improvements between Forrest and Skenes Creek (Colac-Otway Shire)
This route is located within Barwon South Western region and is a popular motorcycle touring route.
Between June 2014 and June 2019, there were a total of 11 motorcycle crashes along this stretch of road, six of which resulted in serious injury.
This project aims to reduce motorcycle trauma severity through the addition of rub-rail at high-risk curves.
Cost: $551,000
Length: 32km
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2022
Colac Lavers Hill Road motorcycle route safety improvements between Kawarren and Carlisle River (Colac-Otway Shire)
This route is located within Barwon South Western region and is a popular motorcycle touring route.
This project aims to reduce motorcycle trauma severity through the addition of rub-rail at high-risk curves.
Cost: $400,000
Length: 9km
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2021
Manufacturers Guide for motorcycle protective clothing (Moto-CAP)
The objectives of this project are to improve the quality of motorcycle protective jackets and pants available to Australian riders by providing scientifically based guidance to the motorcycle protective clothing manufacturing industry.
Evidence from research and MotoCAP testing shows that a substantial proportion of the available personal protective equipment (PPE) garments are not designed for optimal safety, or are made from materials that do not provide sufficient protection to motorcyclists in the instance of a crash.
This project will produce a guide developed in consultation with industry and include both written and video collateral to improve rider safety.
Cost: $100,000
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2022
On-road abrasion testing of motorcycle protective clothing
Soft tissue injury from abrasion is the most common injury sustained in motorcycle crashes. Protective clothing is assessed against European standards for abrasion resistance, but to date those standards have not been validated against the abrasive characteristics of different road surfaces.
This project will undertake impact abrasion resistance testing of motorcycle clothing materials on a variety of road surfaces.
The analysed results from this testing will provide road and garment designers with an understanding of what influence a road surface has on abrasion severity. Results will be disseminated widely through the road, scientific and clothing manufacturing community to improve rider safety.
Cost: $120,000
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2021
Vulnerable Road User Detection Trial, stage 2 - Business Case and Study Design
We’ve been investigating and trialing technology to help reduce head-on collisions with other motorists by priming them to motorcyclists, to increase awareness and perception of this vulnerable road user.
In October 2018, a demonstration of LiDAR technology was successfully completed on the Yarra Boulevard, demonstrating that the technology and VRU recognition software can identify motorcycles and bikes on the same side of the road.
A business case and study design has occurred to trial development and design, specify procure, delivery and an evaluation. The third stage is to implement the trial with the goal to demonstrate that technology can help manage high-risk sections, target messages to other motorists to alert them of up-coming vulnerable road users and to raise awareness of motorcyclists.
Cost: $55,000
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2021
Analysis of Advanced Rider Training Programs
A recent research project found that subsidies do not incentivise riders to undertake training and that engagement is essential to influence rider safety choices. This research project included interviews with Australian and international accredited licensing and training organisations, as well as a review of research on advanced and post-licence motorcycle training schemes.
Cost: $46,000
Start Date: 2020
End Date: 2021