Project Overview
RSA was engaged to carry out a comprehensive Safety Barrier Condition and Compliance Assessment across the entire road network managed by the City of Casey in Victoria. Using GIS asset location data supplied by the client, we inspected all roadside safety barrier systems to determine their condition, fitness for purpose, and compliance with Department of Transport (DoT) and manufacturer requirements.
The objective was to provide a complete record of defects, recommended actions, and risk-based urgency ratings to guide both immediate repairs and long-term maintenance planning.
Our Role
We conducted site inspections over several days, combining drive-through and on-foot assessments. Each barrier segment was recorded through video and photographs, then reviewed in detail in the office to ensure accurate scoring.
Our assessment process included:
- Condition rating – assigning each barrier a score from Very Good to Very Poor.
- Defect recording – identifying issues such as loose bolts and cables, rusted components, deformed posts or rails, and misaligned or damaged sections.
- Fit-for-purpose evaluation – checking whether each barrier met minimum length, correct lateral offset, adequate length of need, and containment requirements.
- Terminal inspection – identifying barriers without crashworthy end terminals or proper anchoring.
For each defect, we documented the suggested action, urgency rating, inspection date, and recommended completion date. Urgency ratings were determined through a risk-based approach, considering hazard type, traffic volumes, operating speeds, road geometry, sight distances, and road readability.
Outcome
The final deliverables included:
- A detailed spreadsheet of all barriers, condition ratings, defects, recommended actions, urgency levels, and photos.
- A fit-for-purpose assessment for each barrier with clear non-compliance reasons.
- GIS-linked data to integrate directly into the council’s asset management system.
The project enabled the City of Casey to prioritise urgent safety works and plan long-term barrier upgrades based on objective condition and risk data.
