2007 - NZ - Cost Effectiveness of Delineation Improvements for Safety

The purpose of this research was to develop a cost management tool that would assist road controlling authorities and their consultants to prioritise delineation treatments that have added safety benefits compared with standard road markings.

A spreadsheet-based cost management tool was developed and then applied to a range of typical road marking situations. It would appear that audio tactile road markings provide significant safety benefits that outweigh the treatment costs even at relatively low traffic volumes.

This report recommends that audio tactile profiled road markings be installed on a much more widespread basis where road conditions allow and policy changes should reflect this. Further research should be conducted to determine the appropriateness of their use in situations where little sealed shoulder exists, such as near residential dwellings and where the road is commonly used by cyclists.