Use of Steel Road Plates at Roadworks

[StinkyPete]

I recently got a bee in my bonnet over the use of untreated steel road plates at roadworks in SA.   I passed through some roadworks where a trench on a corner was covered with a plain steel plate with no surface coating.   It was covered with dust and was very slippery.  I rang a hire company that supplies the plates to the contractors and was told that they were not aware of any need for surface coating on the plates.  However I have since found out that such a requirement does exist in SA.

I wrote to the local council who in their reply indicated that they would write into their roadwork tender documents that Road Plates used by contractors will need to comply with the SA standard. I also wrote to the South Australian Transport Minister seeking clarification on what I perceived as a practice that is dangerous to motorcyclists.  In his very clear letter in reply, he's advised me of the requirements for use of a non-skid treatment on road plates, and provide a phone number to report non-compliance.

Overall this is a good outcome, and I would urge folk with a complaint or concern to write to the relevant authorities to seek clarification or change.

[Lionel]

Onya, StinkyPete. 

[Biggles]

Well done Pete!  Good outcomes there.  I think even small cars would benefit if cornering across a slippery plate in wet weather.

Ain't retirement grand- spare time to tackle the bureaucrats.     

[Brock]

Any vehicle coming across a steel plate could enter a skid situation. Imagine the carnage if an 18 wheelers front wheel hit one while turning slightly and under brakes.  Extreme ouch there.

Well done on bringing the problem to the attention of authorities..

[tj189]

good onya mate 

[spanner]

great job there SP.

 

[Williamson]

Good effort Pete.

Good effort on the Minister's behalf in getting a response, and a good one at that, out in around six weeks.

In Victoria we have VicRoads who have developed a guide for making roads motorcycle friendly .  A copy of the guide can be found here: https://www.google.com.au/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=Z75GVLjYIsXC8gfZ3IDYAw&gws_rd=ssl#q=motorcycle+friendly+roadworks (just click on the first search result).

There is a specific reference to large steel plates, I have reproduced an extract here


VicRoads' sites (on freeways, highways and main roads) that do not accord with VicRoads' guide should be reported to VicRoads at roads@roads.vic.gov.au or by calling 13 11 70.

Other sites (on Council roads) should be reported to the relevant local municipal Council.

[Shiney]

Awesome work Pete

[Gadget]

Great work Pete.

If you've got time, could you check if such a standard exists in all states. I've come across plain plates in QLD.

[StinkyPete]

Great work Pete.

If you've got time, could you check if such a standard exists in all states. I've come across plain plates in QLD.

Gadget,
QLD's specification for Skid Resistant Coating is contained within a 2010 document called....

"Transport and Main Roads Specifications MRTS46 Skid Resistant Friction Coating for Steel Road Plates"

Do a Google search and you'll find it as a PDF, but or some reason when I do a Google search for the term it only turns us a copy of the PDF which is on my computer, and won't give me the link that I downloaded it from some weeks ago when doing my research.

Similarly search "NSW Skid Resistant Coating" or "Vic...."  etc and I'm sure the specifications will be found.

[Gadget]

Thanks Pete!  Champion. 

[pault]

For NSW a while ago i asked the NRMA legal team about plates and they said they can do what they like, up to rider to ride to conditions,
Same applies the the one man pot hole fixing truck. the one with the boom out front which fills hole with tar and finishes off with pea gravel, leaves a marble patch where you dont want it, found one this morning saw it in time but not good.