Title Proactively Reducing Risk on Council Shared Paths Phil Gray – GTA Consultants Insurance & Risk Victorian Conference 2016 29 April 2016
Title
Proactively Reducing Risk on Council
Shared PathsPhil Gray – GTA Consultants
Insurance & Risk Victorian Conference 2016
29 April 2016
Overview
• The Issue/Need
• Audit Process
• Quantifying Risk
• Examples and Treatments
• Case Study
• Summary
CYCLIST AWARDED $230,000 COMPENSATION
The Need?
• Council told to “Fix it or you
will be hit with large
damages” is the message of
the judgement
• Cyclist’s wheel hit bluestone
retaining wall
• Rider fell, striking steel stanchion holding an ‘Armco’
safety barrier and was
seriously injured
Audit Journey
• Background Information
• Audit Process
• Audit Findings
• Risk Rating Allocation
• Design Guidelines
• Treatment Recommendations
• Council program of works
Audit Purposes
Identify Safety Hazards
Assign Risk
Rank Hazards
Best Practice Treatments
Integrate with GIS
Common Safety Considerations
1. Path Width
2. Obstacles
3. Hazards
4. Horizontal & Vertical Alignment
5. Surface Condition & Quality
6. Path Intersections
Quantifying Risk
• Severity Rating (SR)
• Probability Rating(PR)
• SR x PR = Risk Rating
Severity
RatingDefinition
1 Insignificant – no personal injuries
2Minor injury / scrape (band-aids
required only)
3
Significant injury – requires
medical attention (e.g. sprains or
wounds)
4Serious injury – requires hospital
visit (e.g. broken bones)
5 Death possible
Probability
Rating Definition
1 Incident unlikely to occur
2 Incident likely to occur on occasion
3Incident likely to occur once every 5
years
4High probability of incident – likely to
occur each year
5Incident almost certain – likely to occur
several times per year
SR PR RR
Likely Consequence Likelihood of Incident
Low
Risk
Risk Rating 1 - 3
Low
Risk
Risk Rating 1 - 3
High
Risk Risk Rating 9 - 16
Extreme
Risk Rating 17 - 25
Medium
Risk
Risk Rating
4 - 8
Austroads Guidance
10.4.2 Bollards and U-rails
While opinions vary, there is considerable concern (and
growing evidence in the form of injury compensation
claims by cyclists) that the construction of these devices in
the centre of paths is hazardous to cyclists.
“”
10.4.3 Staggered Fence Treatment
A treatment that should only be used where there is a very
good reason… “ ”Source: Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 6A: Pedestrian and Cyclist Paths
• Revise Cycle Notes 21 to be consistent with Austroads guidelines
for separation
• Lower vehicle speed limits on non-arterial roads
• Promote a positive culture of sharing
space, emphasising that cyclists are required to give way to pedestrians
on shared paths
• Shared paths to be designed for 20
km/h or less cycling speed.
• Clause 56.06 of the Victoria Planning
Provisions be amended to require
separated cycling paths rather than
shared paths on connector and arterial roads in growth areas.
Some Key Recommendations:
No protection on
edge of bridge
Boulders
adjacent to
path edge
Boulders
adjacent to
path edge
Shopping trolley
adjacent to path
Debris
encroaching
onto path
Boulders
adjacent to
path edge
No warning sign
where the path
turns
QUIZ!
Case Study
Downhill
gradient
Entry gate
treatment
Gravel road
connection
Gravel road
connectionKororoit
Creek
Audit Findings
• Steep gradient
• Right angle bend with exposed rocks and creek
High Risk
• Sight distance around bend
• Surface quality at connecting gravel path
• Line marking – broken thermoplastic
• Fenced gateway treatment
Medium Risk
Risk Extends Beyond Shared Paths
Footpaths On-Road
Bus StopsCar Parks
Shared Paths
Transport
Interchanges
Waterways
* RISK *Loading Docks
Summary
• Manage risk using proactive/preventative approach
• Regular audits and maintenance regimes
• Documentation – maintain records
• Claims often related to infrastructure (bollard, drain,
fence) – compare design standards
• Adequate warning of hazards – day and night
• Risk & liability extends beyond shared paths
Nurture culture of respect between path users
GTA consultants
Phil Gray
Senior Consultant
@VeloGray
gta.com.au
Adelaide
Gold Coast
Townsville
Perth
Melbourne
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Canberra
Complete transportation specialists