The State Government has today accepted 13 recommendations identified by the Regional Roadworks Signage Review to increase safety in roadworks sites.
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has asked Main Roads to implement a number of these recommendations to enhance safety for both construction workers and road users.
While several of the recommendations are complex and will take time to implement, a number can be actioned in the short term, including:
- improving driver education and awareness;
- improvements to signage design to ensure they remain upright and visible; and
- reviewing tender documentation to ensure traffic management elements are afforded the priority and focus required to ensure safe practice.
Main Roads have appointed a senior project manager to oversee the process and also established an Implementation Committee, who will be meeting fortnightly in the first instance, with the inaugural meeting held earlier this month.
A formal implementation plan with delivery targets will be developed with key stakeholders by the end of the year.
The comprehensive review was undertaken by an industry-based stakeholder reference group, with extensive community consultation that looked at how temporary traffic signage at roadworks sites is installed, secured and managed in regional areas.
Main Roads has been working closely with the Traffic Management Association of Australia in recent months to help raise public awareness of incidents on roadworks sites with a new campaign to be launched soon to encourage drivers to 'Be Roadwork Aware, Slow Down and Take Care.'
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"I would like to again thank the stakeholder reference group and Chair Dennis O'Reilly who undertook this review.
"The work undertaken by the reference group has helped focus attention on this key area of safety, so it is important we build on that momentum and continue to engage with industry and stakeholders to ensure safety at road construction sites.
"We have accepted 13 recommendations from the review and I have requested Main Roads implement the short term and medium term recommendations."
The report and recommendations can be viewed here: https://www.mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/regional-roadworks-signage-review
