§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has(a) conducted and (b) commissioned to assess the effect on road safety of removing white lining on rural roads; and if he will make a statement. [141039]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Department's view is that road markings make an important contribution to road safety on inter-urban rural roads by clearly defining the path to be followed, by separating conflicting movements and by delineating the road edge on unlit roads at night.
The Department has collaborated in a joint European project on road markings and their effect on driver behaviour, in which 15 countries pooled their research resources. This established, among other findings, that drivers on inter-urban rural roads find it difficult to steer accurately at night if they cannot see the road markings sufficiently far ahead.
With regard to rural villages, the Department commissioned TRL to monitor a traffic management scheme in Stiffkey, Norfolk which included the removal of centre lines. We have also commissioned the "Drivers and Traffic Calming" project to examine the effect of psychological (non-physical) traffic calming measures in both urban and village locations, some of which involve the removal of white lines.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research the Government has undertaken into the(a) cost and (b) safety-effectiveness of different types of crash barriers to prevent cross-over accidents. [142010]
§ Mr. JamiesonExtensive research was undertaken during the 1980s, which contributed to the decision to introduce central reserve barrier onto the trunk road network in 1986. The majority of product placed on the network at that time was tensioned steel barrier. More recently, different types of barrier have been placed on the network, including wire-rope and concrete barrier. Data obtained from the in-service performance of these162W products over time is now being used to support research into the cost and safety-effectiveness of different types of central reserve barrier.
The research is considering the performance characteristics of different barrier types, as well as the whole life construction, maintenance, repair and replacement costs, including traffic delay costs and safety risks to operatives carrying out the work. This research is expected to be completed in early 2004 and will help in the understanding of how to prevent cross-over accidents.