The Department of Transport and Planning refinanced to upgrade the safety of one of Melbourne’s busiest intersections at Fitzroy Street near Grey Street and Canterbury Road in St Kilda. The history of crashes and injuries disproportionately affected vulnerable road users including bike riders and pedestrians.
Client: Department of Transport
Completed: November, 2022
Client problems
Needed to make a busy intersection safer for cars, bikes, motorbikes and pedestrians.
VicRoads (Department of Transport and Planning) had been concerned for some time about the safety of this location, given the high number of vehicles, bikes and pedestrians using it all times of the day.
Over the previous 10 years there had been 18 crashes resulting in 8 serious injuries and 11 other injuries, and more than 50% were vulnerable road users including bike riders and pedestrians.
The solution needed to significantly improve traction and braking efficiency to prevent loss-of-control accidents, reduce braking distances, and ultimately decrease the frequency and severity of crashes.
In addition to the immediate safety concerns, there were also economic imperatives.
Road crashes have a substantial financial impact, not only in terms of emergency response and healthcare costs but also considering the broader societal costs, including lost productivity and long-term care for those injured.
The solution also needed to be a long-lasting one to save on maintenance and replacement costs while minimising disruption.
The chosen solution needed to address these multifaceted challenges comprehensively, offering both immediate and long-term benefits.
Our solution
To tackle these challenges, OmniGrip Direct implemented its High Friction Surface Treatment (OmniGrip HF) skid-resistant road surfacing.
This advanced surface treatment involves the application of calcined bauxite, a material known for its exceptional durability and superior skid resistance.
1,240m2 of OmniGrip HF was meticulously applied to the entire intersection to provide enhanced grip in both dry and wet conditions, effectively reducing the risk of crashes.
The application process of OmniGrip HF surface was thorough and precise, ensuring that the surface remains effective over a long period despite heavy traffic and varying weather conditions. This treatment was not just a temporary fix but is a long-term solution that significantly enhances road safety.
The benefits of this solution extend beyond immediate safety improvements. The durability of the OmniGrip HF surface means that it requires less frequent maintenance and replacement compared to traditional road surfaces and lower performing surfaces such as High PSV Asphalt. It demonstrates how to reduce the environmental impact of construction and how to achieve long-term cost savings for road authorities.
Additionally, the improved safety conditions can lead to fewer road closures and disruptions, ensuring a smoother travel experience for all road users, which is particularly important at busy intersections like this where vehicles, trams, motorbike riders, bicycle riders and pedestrians interact every day and at all times.
This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate need for improved road safety but also provides lasting benefits in terms of reduced maintenance costs and enhanced road user satisfaction.
Detailed results and impact
The application of OmniGrip HF has shown remarkable results.
- Improved Vehicle Stability and Braking: The treatment has been instrumental in enhancing vehicle stability and reducing braking distances at this location.
- Economic Benefits: Reducing the estimated costs of crashes nationally of around $350 million each year (around $172 million for motorcyclists, $147 million for pedestrians, and $31 million for bicyclists).
Benefits to Regional Roads Victoria
- Enhanced Road Safety: OmniGrip HF has drastically reduced the likelihood of loss-of-control crashes, and addresses the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable road users.
- Cost Efficiency: The long-lasting nature of the OmniGrip HF means lower maintenance costs and fewer replacements, contributing to overall cost savings.
- Compliance and Effectiveness: OmniGrip HF complies with all national and state road authority specifications (including VicRoads Specification 430), and is the first high-friction surface treatment to achieve Level 3 TIPES certification in Queensland – the toughest product certification process for road surfaces in Australia.
“We partnered with Omnigrip Direct for this project as we knew the quality of the HFST product from previous works together. With such a large tram/car/pedestrian interface at the Grey St intersection, the ongoing public safety was paramount to the success of this project. The only way to achieve this was by using OmniGrip Direct’s HF product.”
– Justin Strunk, General Manager, RABS Group
Results at a glance
- Improve vehicle stability and braking at this high-risk intersection
- Use of HFST surfaces in Australia reduce all crashes by 40% and 50% in wet weather conditions
- Reduce the annual total national crash costs of $326 million ($161 million for motorcyclists, $136 million for pedestrians, $29 million for bicyclists)