Research + guidance

Abley have an experienced team of experts who have been involved in a wide range of transport and road safety research and industry guidance.

Road Safety

Research to examine how ‘fit for purpose’ alcohol-related crash data and related data are in New Zealand, and to study trends in these crashes and their connection with other factors.

Framework and methodology for identifying, planning, designing and assessing emergency evacuation routes to support planning and preparedness in the event of a disaster caused by a natural hazard.

birds eye view of some apartment buildings and roundabout

By Paul Durdin 2020

Best practice guidance for local government bodies regarding the development and implementation of road safety management systems in New Zealand and Australia

residential street with a few cars and a 30 km/hr speed limit. Covered by trees

This project tested the application of Infrastructure Risk Rating for Australian roads. The output includes case studies of speed management interventions, and good practice for speed management engagement.

highway with cars on it next to some houses

Best practice guidance for the development or road safety infrastructure programs that align with the Safe System approach.

walking intersection city

By Shane Turner | 2019

Austroads commissioned research to help identify solutions that might be applied on mixed use arterial roads to improve safety through the provision of Safe System infrastructure.

seagull intersection road safety

By Shane Turner | 2019

Alternative intersection layouts may reduce traffic delays and/or improve road safety. Two alternatives are reviewed in this research: ‘priority-controlled Seagull intersections’ and ‘priority-controlled intersections with a Left Turn Slip Lane’.

Achieving safe system or vision zero outcomes at high-risk urban intersections, especially priority cross-roads and high-volume traffic signals, is a major challenge for most cities. 

bike, cycling, bus

By Shane Turner | 2018

St Kilda Road is Melbourne’s premier boulevard and is one of the busiest tram routes in the world. It also has a high incident of pedestrian and bicycle crashes due to the relatively poor standard of the facilites provided for these users.

Railway crossing with the barrier down as a train is currently crossing

By Shane Turner | 2019

While the number of deaths and injuries at level crossings in New Zealand is relatively low compared with the national road toll and injury burden, the high severity of crashes involving trains makes it a key ‘safe system’ focus.

intersection traffic

By Shane Turner | 2012

In most cities and towns, the majority of crash black-spots occur at major intersections. Crash reduction studies often focus on the major signalised intersections, however, there is limited information that links the phasing configuration, degree of saturation and overall cycle time to crashes. 

auckland motorway traffic

By Shane Turner | 2019

Like many large cities, Sydney and Auckland’s busy and high-risk arterials carry the bulk of traffic flows and include a mix of active/vulnerable road users (cyclists/motorcyclists/ pedestrians). Auckland Transport is adopting Vision Zero and understanding vulnerable road user crash risks on such routes can be difficult.

crash risk compendium

By Shane Turner | 2018

This report contain all the SPFs/CPMs, AMFs/CMFs and some of the severity factors used in New Zealand. Many of which come from research by Shane Turner and others. The CEC is part of the NZ Economic Evaluation Manual.

Research gate logo

For a full list of Shane Turner’s road safety-related research, presentations and papers, visit this Research Gate page.

Transport planning + engineering

Two people walking and talking. One holding a take out beverage.

This study for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency identified barriers and motivators to why people choose to walk or not. The research led to development of a Pedestrian Level of Service framework for New Zealand. 

This research for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency investigated if and how the potential effects of small-scale developments should be identified and has provided an opportunity to fully understand if the absence of national guidelines is limiting the opportunity for effective network management and land use planning.

This research for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency provides best practice for planning, designing and creating walkable communities throughout New Zealand. It outlines a process for deciding on the type of provision that should be made for pedestrians – including those with a wide range of disabilities – and provides design advice and standards.