Automated incident recording system (AIRS) ? Trial study

The development of engineering solutions to improve road safety at problematic sites has traditionally been dependant on a series of analytical and investigative techniques, where the analyst uses all data available to determine the solutions that will be effective. In this respect, the accuracy of the reporting and interpretation of the available data is of utmost importance to ensure that the solutions are effective.

In addition, the use of crash data to develop engineering solutions has been coupled with a considerable lag time between the crash events and the remedial action. This lag time is counter-productive as it allows more crashes to occur in the interim.

An audio-visual technology has been developed that enables footage of crash and near miss events to be captured on video. The collection of data in this manner has great potential to improve the accuracy of crash analysis and investigation as well as accelerate the process for remedial works to be carried out. The technology known as Automated Incident Recording System (AIRS) has been trialled by the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA) at two locations in the Sydney metropolitan road network. This paper details the results of the trial and explores some future applications of AIRS in crash analysis and investigation, and countermeasure development. It is envisaged that AIRS will become an integral component of crash detection and reduction programs in the RTA.