The South Australian government is committed to improving road safety and reducing the trauma associated with road fatalities and injuries. Black Spot programs are a vital element in the State's strategy for improved road safety. They provide funding to target road locations with either a history of crashes or a heightened risk of crashes occurring. Targeted safety improvements funded under the Black Spot programs have been shown to significantly reduce crashes and the trauma they cause in the wider community.

Black Spots are identified by higher than usual crash rates at particular locations. Addressing problems at these locations has proved to be highly effective with significant safety benefits for every dollar spent. Federal and State Black Spot programs are set to continue, with a significant part of State funds spent in rural areas where more than half of all fatalities and almost half of all serious injuries occur. The State Government, through the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, will continue to work with Local Government in providing funding to improve safety at ‘black spots’ on our roads.

The State Black Spot program which is funded by the South Australian Government, and the AusLink Black Spot program, funded by the Australian Government, are closely integrated.

The recently announced Level Crossing Black Spot Project nominations are being sought in December 2008 and will be assessed separately.

State Black Spot Program

The State Black Spot Program funded by the State Government commenced in 2002-03 and is an annual program that is now subject to the approval of the Minister for Road Safety. The current program has an allocation of $7.4M, a portion of which is directed to cycling related safety projects. The majority of the program is directed to safety improvement works on State arterial roads and Council roads.

The funding criteria, assessment process and program allocations for the State Black Spot Program are detailed in the State Black Spot Program Guidelines. 

AusLink Black Spot Program

The Auslink Black Spot program began in 1996-97. In recognition of its success the Australian Government has now extended the program until 30 June 2014. Annual national Auslink Black Spot funding will be increased to $60 M under AusLink 2 (from 2009-10 to 2013-14), representing an increase of 33 per cent on current program funding. Funding is subject to annual approval by the Federeal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport Regional Development and Local Government.  Minister's Press Release

The funding criteria, assessment process and program allocations for the AusLink Black Spot Program are set by the Department for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and are detailed in the Notes on Administration for AusLink Black Spot Program.

How the Black Spot program works

Anyone, either independently or through an organisation, is encouraged to submit a nomination for funding to improve safety on their roads.

Nominating a Black Spot project

Eligibility criteria and funding allocations for both the State Black Spot Program and AusLink Black Spot Program are described in Program Criteria. To assist proponents in preparing a Black Spot nomination, criteria covered include timing, funding, supporting information and program allocations.

Nominations for funding are sought annually through Local Councils and DTEI regions and from community groups, associations, road user groups, industry and individuals.

All nominations should be made on the official Black Spot Nomination Form. Nomination and Benefit Cost Ratio forms can be emailed. The signed submission and supporting technical information will still need to be posted.

Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) calculations are required for the nominations based on crash history should be submitted using the Black Spot BCR Spreadsheet.

Further information for Councils and DTEI

• More information for Council
• More information for DTEI

Austroads Road Safety Engineering Toolkit

The Road Safety Engineering Toolkit is a reference tool for road engineering practitioners in state and local governments. It outlines best-practice, low cost, high return road environment measures to achieve a reduction in road trauma.

Administration of Black Spot Programs

Physical and financial status of the approved projects shall be provided to the DTEI contact. Progress payments shall be claimed using the appropriate claim form that can be downloaded from the links below.

All variations to scope and/or project costs are to be approved by the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and South Australia’s Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) before commencing construction.

Request for variations can be made to DTEI using the Project Variation Form. Project Completion Report is to be provided at the completion of the project.

Local government councils should contact the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure for further information relevant to their role.

• Black Spot Claim Form (GST Applicable)
• Black Spot Claim Form (GST Non-Applicable)
• Project Variation Form
• Project Completion Report
• State Black Spot Program Guidelines
• More information for Council
• More information for DTEI

Black Spot Contacts

For information about AusLink and State Black Spot programs:

Strategist
Road Asset Policy and Programs
Policy and Planning Division
Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure
PO Box 1
Walkerville SA 5081

P. 08 8204 8373
F. 08 8204 8835
E. DTEI.SABlackspots@saugov.sa.gov.au

For further information about Level Crossing Black Spot Program including how to nominate a potential Level Crossing Black Spot, please contact on (08) 8343 2887or facsimile (08) 8343 2939.