The Development of Procedures for Safety Audit of Traffic Control at Roadwork Sites

The main incentive for development of the audit procedures is the number and severity of crashes at roadworks sites. The Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) has analyzed crash data in New Zealand for 1996 and their report states, amongst other things, “that crashes at roadworks sites are more frequently fatal crashes when compared to the average traffic crashes in New Zealand”. The fatality rate for this type of crash, is three times the national rate. In 1996, 213 crashes were reported at roadworks sites, with a cost to the nation of $19 million.
Additionally, Transfund New Zealand (Transfund NZ) currently carries out a number of Network Safety Audits of Existing Roads each year. On all audits of this type carried out to date, traffic control at roadworks sites, was identified as a significant safety defect.