MOTOR ACCIDENT COMMISSION

In reply to Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (28 June 2013).

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety): South Australia's Road Safety Strategy 2020 recognises that, while new road construction and road safety projects are expensive, there are considerable benefits to be gained when these projects are well planned, designed and managed. Research shows that investment in road safety projects can produce crash savings with a value at least 10 times the cost of the infrastructure.

A $52.4 million Motor Accident Commission (MAC) funding for a series of projects was announced under the 2013-14 state budget. These projects are expected to reduce the number and severity of crashes as detailed below.

1. Britannia Roundabout Upgrade—

Project involves redesigning the existing five-leg roundabout into two smaller roundabouts (one with three legs and one with four legs).

Capital cost of $3.2 million.

Assessed over an appraisal period of 20 years and using a discount rate of 6 per cent.

Expected present value traffic delay savings of $14.0 million, vehicle operating cost savings of $1.0 million, and crash savings of $9.0 million.

Resultant total present value benefit of $24.37 million.

Benefit cost ratio of 8.07.

Total crashes expected to be reduced by 33 per cent (based on crash history during the five years from 2007-11).

2. North East Road/Sudholz Road Intersection Upgrade—

Project involves removing right-turn movements from North East Road and fully controlling right turns from Sudholz Road. Right-turn vehicles from North East Road will be diverted to a new signalised intersection at Sudholz Road/Blacks Road.

Capital cost of $7.7 million.

Assessed over an appraisal period of 30 years and using a discount rate of 6 per cent.

Expected present value traffic delay savings of $22.5 million and crash savings of $4.9 million. An increase of $0.1 million in vehicle operating costs is also expected.

Resultant total present value benefit of $27.3 million.

Benefit cost ratio of 3.97.

Total crashes expected to be reduced by 41 per cent (based on crash history during the four years from 2008-11).

3. Magill Road/Glynburn Road Intersection Upgrade—

Project involves separate right-turn lanes on Magill Road and Glynburn Road, a short left-turn lane on Magill Road into Glynburn Road, new traffic signals and upgraded road lighting.

Capital cost of $4.0 million.

Assessed over an appraisal period of 30 years and using a discount rate of 6 per cent.

Expected present value traffic delay savings of $19.0 million, vehicle operating cost savings of $5.0 million, and crash savings of $2.0 million.

Resultant total present value benefit of $26.0 million.

Benefit cost ratio of 6.45.

Casualty crashes expected to be reduced by 68 per cent (based on crash history during the five years from 2008-12).

4. Golden Grove Road/Grenfell Road (East) Intersection Upgrade—

Project involves the installation of new traffic signals at the existing unsignalised intersection.

The intersection of Golden Grove Road/Grenfell Road (West) which is located only 140 metres away is already signalised.

Capital cost of $2.5 million.

This project is proactive in nature and aims to address existing safety concerns at the intersection.

These safety concerns are the high speed at which turning movements can be performed and the weaving movement of vehicles turning left from Grenfell Road (East) onto Golden Grove Road and then turning right into Grenfell Road (West).

Project was identified as a priority in the draft Road Management Plan (RMP) for Golden Grove Road developed by the Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure's metropolitan region.

The installation of traffic signals at this location has been the subject of various requests from the public.

5. APY Lands Main Access Road Upgrade—

Cost of $21.0 million (state government contribution to overall project cost of $106.0 million).

Federal government will contribute funding under Nation Building 2 program. Note that this funding will only commence from 2014-15.

Project was assessed using a multi-criteria approach used for infrastructure proposals for remote Indigenous communities, rather than a cost-benefit analysis.

The multi-criteria approach used follows the method outlined in the draft National Policy Framework on Infrastructure in Remote Indigenous Communities developed by Infrastructure Australia.

Note that the National Policy Framework is a draft document and has not been released to the public

6. South Eastern Freeway Upgrade—

Cost of $12.5 million (state government contribution to overall project cost of $25.0 million)

Federal government will contribute funding under Nation Building 2 program. Note that this funding will only commence from 2014-15.

Consists of two components:

Advanced traffic management system between Stirling and Mount Barker (benefit cost ratio of 1.3);

Managed motorway system between Crafers and Stirling (benefit cost ratio of 2.2).

7. Additional road safety cameras on metropolitan roads—

Cost of $1.5 million (for 10 sites)

Benefit cost ratio of 14.6 is based only on pedestrian injury reduction saving for 2013-14 (at a cost of $1.50 million for 10 sites)

The average installation cost per site is generally constant across the network with the expected pedestrian safety benefits also generally constant.