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Road Safety Audits for Stuart Highway Rest Areas – Glendambo, Pimba, and Arcoona

Client

SMEC Australia Pty Ltd

Location

Stuart Highway – Glendambo, Pimba, and Arcoona, South Australia

Sector

Road Safety Audits and Infrastructure Design

The Stuart Highway (A87) is a critical transport route connecting Port Augusta in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory. Managed by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, the highway supports significant freight, tourism, and regional traffic. To enhance safety and functionality at key rest areas along the route, SMEC Australia Pty Ltd engaged BE Engineering Solutions (BEES) to perform 30% and 70% design Road Safety Audits (RSA) for the existing rest areas at MM667.77 (Glendambo), MM756 (Pimba), and MM773.94 (Arcoona).

The Challenge

The rest areas along the Stuart Highway presented unique challenges including:

  • Heavy traffic volumes from a mix of vehicles, including freight trucks, caravans, and passenger vehicles, creating safety risks.
  • Existing layouts lacked adequate infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient use by all road users, especially during peak times.
  • The need for audits to address the progressive design stages (30% and 70%) and ensure safety improvements were integrated effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
  • The remote locations of the rest areas required designs that balanced functionality, durability, and maintenance efficiency.

Our Approach

BE Engineering Solutions adopted a comprehensive and systematic approach to conduct the Road Safety Audits:

  • Conducted detailed site inspections at Glendambo, Pimba, and Arcoona rest areas to assess the existing layout, infrastructure, and traffic behavior.
  • Identified key safety concerns, including inadequate signage, poor visibility, and insufficient parking for heavy vehicles and caravans.
  • Reviewed the initial design concepts for each rest area, evaluating proposed changes for compliance with Australian road safety standards.
    Provided recommendations to address potential hazards, including:
  • Improved signage and road markings for better navigation.
  • Optimized parking layouts to separate heavy vehicles from light vehicles.
  • Enhanced pedestrian safety measures, including designated walking paths.
  • Assessed the near-final designs to ensure all safety recommendations from the 30% RSA were integrated effectively.
  • Conducted further evaluations for night-time safety, including lighting design and visibility of signage and markings.
  • Recommended refinements to the designs to enhance user experience and long-term functionality.
  • Worked closely with SMEC and DIT to align audit findings with project goals and broader transport safety objectives.
  • Delivered detailed RSA reports with actionable recommendations for immediate and long-term safety improvements.

Outcome

The Road Safety Audits conducted by BE Engineering Solutions contributed to significant safety and usability enhancements for the Stuart Highway rest areas.

Key outcomes included:

  • Improved safety features incorporated into the designs, reducing risks for all road users, including freight operators, tourists, and local travellers.
  • Optimised layouts for parking and traffic flow, ensuring efficient use of rest area facilities.
  • Clear and visible signage and road markings to enhance navigation, especially in low-light and night-time conditions.
  • A robust framework for integrating safety improvements during the project’s progressive design stages, ensuring compliance with Australian standards.

Why choose BE Engineering Solutions?

BE Engineering Solutions is a leader in Road Safety Audits and infrastructure design, specialising in delivering tailored solutions for complex transport projects. Our collaborative approach ensures that every stage of the project lifecycle is supported by expert insights and practical recommendations.

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