Background

The Black Spot Program is an Australian Government funded program that provides funding for low-cost, high-benefit improvements on the road network to address actual or potential crashes that lead to high severity outcomes (fatalities and hospitalisations).

In Queensland, the Black Spot Program is administered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRD&C).

Nominations for the Black Spot Program are either reactive (based on crash history) or proactive (based on identified safety deficiencies in the road environment.

Current Projects

Bundaberg Regional Council nominated the following four intersections, based on crash data for the most recent five-year period ("the period"), for inclusion in the 2023/2024 Black Spot Program.

Targo Street / Burnett Street Intersection

The Targo Street / Burnett Street intersection is a four-way intersection and had the highest number of crashes (9) of any Council-controlled intersection in the Bundaberg Region during the period.

This intersection has been a high crash area for many years and has been the subject of previous safety treatments that have not been effective in reducing the number of crashes.

Several treatments were investigated, and the preferred treatment is to construct a raised central median along Targo Street to prevent through and right turn movements which have been the cause of almost all crashes at this intersection. It is acknowledged that this treatment may cause an inconvenience to some road users, however, it will eliminate the type of severe crashes that have been occurring at this intersection over a significant period of time.

Existing

Proposed

Johanna Boulevard / Commercial Street Intersection

The Johanna Boulevard/Commercial Street Intersection is a large roundabout located in a growing industrial precinct of the Bundaberg City area. Five crashes were recorded in the period, of which four involved vehicles travelling straight through the intersection (not turning).

It was determined that approach speed to the roundabout was a major contributing factor to the crashes that have occurred. To ensure vehicles approach the roundabout at a safe speed, raised safety platforms will be installed on each approach. The raised safety platforms will reduce vehicle speeds and therefore increase driver reaction time and reduce potential vehicle impact speeds. See attached fact sheet on Raised Safety Platforms for further information.

Existing

Proposed

Commercial Street / Production Street Intersection

The Commercial Street / Production Street Intersection is a four-way intersection located directly east of the Johanna Boulevard / Commercial Street intersection in Kensington. Three crashes have been recorded in the period, all of which involved vehicles travelling straight through the intersection. Two of these crashes resulted in hospitalisations.

Several treatments were investigated; some of which were not viable given the constraints of the area. The preferred treatment is to construct a raised intersection which will reduce all vehicle speeds through the intersection to approximately 40 to 50km/h to ensure that if a collision does occur, the crash energy is within tolerable levels (refer Safe System Snippet #59 for further information). This treatment is not intended to stop all crashes from occurring but rather aims to eliminate crashes that cause high severity outcomes such as fatalities or serious injuries. Please see attached fact sheet on raised intersections for further information.

Existing

Proposed

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Bourbong Street / O'Connell Street Intersection

The Bourbong Street / O’Connell Street Intersection is a four-way intersection located in Millbank. Three crashes have been recorded in the period, all of which involved vehicles travelling straight through the intersection. All of these crashes resulted in hospitalisations.

It was determined that a major contributing factor to the crashes was drivers' lack of awareness of the intersection and the 'see through' effect that can occur at four-way priority-controlled intersections. The preferred treatment is therefore to improve awareness of the intersection by constructing a raised concrete median on the southern approach and a painted chevron median on the northern approach, along with signage improvements, kerb extensions, and other minor upgrades.

Existing

Proposed