Fields of action
ASFINAG's road safety program comprises 13 fields of action with which we have placed our road safety work on a completely new footing since 2010. The measures contained in the program are constantly being expanded and evaluated. In total, the 13 fields of action cover all of ASFINAG's operational road safety work and demonstrate the diversity of possible safety potential.Road safety is not a one-off project. 365 days a year and around the clock, ASFINAG employees ensure that the 2,223 kilometers of freeway and expressway are smooth and safe to drive on. 42 highway maintenance depots are in non-stop operation and monitor the entire road network every day.
- More than 200 kilometers of in-depth road safety inspections of the existing route per year (RSI Road Safety Inspection)
- Renewal of around 6,000 kilometers of road markings per year
- Around 78,207 square meters of road surface markings renewed per year (equivalent to the size of eleven soccer pitches)
- 50 percent fewer accident blackspots since 2010
- Around 860 bridges are inspected every year (intervals: routine inspections by the road service every four months, major bridge inspections every two years, main bridge inspections every six years)
- 400 winter service vehicles with GPS control
- State-of-the-art weather forecasting systems with airport weather data
- Vehicle restraint systems to minimize the consequences of accidents in the event of collisions
Further links:
Vertiefte Sicherheitsüberprüfung – das „Pickerl“ für die Straße
In the last ten years, more than eight billion euros have been invested in the improvement and expansion of the Austrian highway and expressway network. This ranges from second tunnel tubes and lane additions to the expansion of traffic control areas and rest areas to the construction of entire new stretches of road. Examples of this are
- S 10 Mühlviertler Expressway: Unterweitersdorf - Freistadt North 2015
- A 5 North/Weinviertel highway: Schrick - Poysbrunn 2015
- A 4 East highway: Bruck/Leitha traffic control center 2015
- A 4 East highway: Airport - Bruckneudorf expansion 2015 - 2020
- A5 North highway: Drasenhofen bypass 2019
- Investment in new construction since 2010: 4.2 billion euros
- Investment in existing route since 2010: 4.1 billion euros
ASFINAG is meeting the growing demands for availability, safety and traffic information with a comprehensive package of measures:
- Traffic monitoring and control with one national and nine regional traffic management centers
- Creation and dissemination of ASFINAG traffic reports via various channels
- Approximately 6,000 traffic cameras on the route
- 17 traffic control systems (VBA) to control traffic - that is 800 directional kilometers with 710 display cross-sections. This means that 19 percent of the freeway and expressway network is equipped with roadside, variably controllable infrastructure
- Implementation of the Traffic Manager mobile response force in the greater Vienna area (20 people, 252 kilometers of coverage area), Linz (12 people, 112 kilometers of coverage area) and Salzburg (12 people, 87 kilometers of coverage area), Graz (12 people, 102 kilometers of coverage area) - seven days, 24 hours a day
- Active incident management for rapid restoration of availability
Further links:
Effektives Verkehrsmanagement über neun Zentralen
Vernetzte Autos, intelligenter Verkehr: Was C-ITS ist, was es kann und wem es nutzt
C-ITS oder wie Kommunikation zwischen Fahrzeug und Straße die Verkehrssicherheit erhöht
ASFINAG currently operates a road network with a length of 2,223 kilometers, on which 165 tunnels are currently in operation. Since the start of ASFINAG's tunnel offensive in 2000, more than 5.6 billion euros have been invested in tunnel safety (new tunnels, second tunnel tubes, structural and electrical engineering measures including general renewals and expansion of monitoring centers), with a focus on the construction of second tunnel tubes:
- A 10 Katschberg Tunnel: second tube since 2009
- A 12 Roppenertunnel: second tube since 2010
- A 10 Tauern Tunnel: second tube since 2011
- A 14 Pfänder Tunnel: second tube since 2013
- A 9 Bosruck Tunnel: second tube since 2013
- A 9 Klaus tunnel chain: second tubes since 2017
- A 9 Gleinalm Tunnel: second tube since mid-2017, renovation of first tube since 2019
- A 11 Karawanken Tunnel: second tube start of construction 2018
All tunnels are equipped to the highest safety standards and are among the best in the world. To ensure that this remains the case, investments are constantly being made in the renewal of the facilities and further technical innovations are being driven forward.
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ASFINAG's top priority is to maintain as many lanes as possible during the day despite roadworks. This means that renovations and new construction on the existing network are always carried out with full traffic.
- Clear customer criteria for roadworks: Roadworks may not cause more than five minutes of lost time per 100 kilometers - a roadworks with 80 km/h restrictions may be a maximum of ten kilometers long, a section with 60 km/h a maximum of six kilometers
- Construction site audits and inspections for critical construction sites
- In 2004, around six percent of all accidents on freeways occurred at roadworks, but this figure has been steadily reduced to three percent in recent years
- Every second euro invested in improving the network goes towards road safety
Further links:
Bauen für sichere Autobahnen und Tunnel
Viele Baustellen, ein Ziel: mehr Sicherheit, bessere Verfügbarkeit
Fog is certainly one of the most unpleasant weather conditions when driving. In order to arrive safely, ASFINAG is increasingly focusing on information and common sense.
- Regular maintenance of the marking of around 9,000 fog points
- More than 710 electronic display cross-sections with the option of fog warnings
- Use of a state-of-the-art weather forecasting system
- Fog warnings via traffic radio
Unfortunately, fog accidents can never be completely ruled out, but there have not been any major accidents involving more than 10 vehicles since 2008.
- Road Safety Inspections (RSI) are carried out annually to analyze and inspect high-risk wrong-way driving areas. Around 220 kilometers of the freeway and expressway network are inspected annually. More than 400 wrong-way driver warning signs warn drivers on slip roads
- 19 mechanical wrong-way driver barriers
- 3D markings
Further links:
Geisterfahrer auf Österreichs Straßen: Hintergründe, Zahlen und häufig gestellte Fragen
ASFINAG is a reliable partner when it comes to traffic information and a provider of state-of-the-art services, especially for trucks. These include, among other things:
- Reduction in the proportion of heavy vehicles involved in accidents from 18 percent in 2010 to 13 percent in 2014
- Around 10,000 special transports are handled annually with ASFINAG traffic management
- The greater Vienna and Linz areas have an electronic truck parking space system. Free parking spaces are displayed via the electronic overhead displays and prism turnstiles. Parking space information can also be called up online
- There are 13 modern traffic control bays available nationwide for checking heavy goods vehicles. A further four sites are being planned
- Since July 1, 2015, truck inspections on the Austrian freeway network have also been carried out by specially trained ASFINAG employees. In addition to inspections at traffic checkpoints, these so-called “technical roadside inspections” are carried out in close cooperation with the police
Further links:
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Consistently only four to five percent of accidents are two-wheeler accidents
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On average, 64 percent fewer motorcyclists killed (comparative period 2007-2010 and 2011-2014) and consistently low in recent years (2018: 2)
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Approx. 1/3 of motorcycle accidents occur on ramps
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Approx. 40% of accidents are single vehicle accidents 35% rear-end collisions
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No local frequencies due to high standard of road surface conditions
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Regular cleaning of roadways, especially in spring
Further links:
Volle Sicherheit auf zwei Rädern: Warum Motorradsicherheit uns alle angeht
ASFINAG is clearly committed to the goal of supporting compliant driver behavior through awareness-raising road safety campaigns.
Annual campaigns for greater road safety since 2012.
Media: Radio spots, highway posters, print ads, online, social media and traditional PR work.
- 2012: “Relaxed on vacation” (vacation coloring books and pens)
- 2013: “tailgating kills”, “I'll arrive safely” (ASFINAG tips brochure from A to Z)
- 2014: “Keep your distance”, “Drive on the right”, “Keep your cell phone away from the wheel” (online game), “Don't mess up”
- 2015: “Keep your eyes open in the tunnel”
- 2015: Take a break
Focus campaign at ASFINAG rest areas “Pupillomat test” - 2016: “Steer fairly”
- 2016: “Drive on the right, save stress”
- 2017: “Hello life”
- 2018: “Hello life - distraction”
- 2019: Keeping your distance saves lives
Focus campaign distance measurements at eight locations - 2020: Tunnelfit? Join in! For more tunnel safety on our road network
- 2021: My mom/dad works for you. Thank you for watching out!
- 2021: Full safety on two wheels
- 2022: Life-saving lane
- 2022: Good drivers show consideration for others
- 2023: You are the most valuable cargo. Seat belts save your life!
Safety campaign for truck drivers
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As the infrastructure operator, ASFINAG operates a wide range of traffic monitoring equipment in cooperation with the federal states and the police:
- Procurement and technical operation of selective speed monitoring systems (radar, laser)
- Eleven section control systems for stationary and mobile use on construction sites
- Construction and maintenance of traffic control stations for checking heavy vehicles
- WIM - Weigh in Motion systems at neuralgic points
By taking on the skills and personnel for technical roadside inspections, ASFINAG employees are making an active contribution to ensuring vehicle safety.
Further links:
Die Section Control: Warum sie das Erfolgsrezept für mehr Verkehrssicherheit ist
Traffic infrastructure research for new (safety) technical developments is important to ASFINAG. As a reliable partner in this area, ASFINAG is involved in the following projects, for example:
- Financial and content-related participation in traffic infrastructure research (VIF)
- Contract research in the field of traffic safety on the topics of restraint systems and safety management
- Development of new technologies for tunnel monitoring (AKUT)
Further links:
- Impact absorbers on company vehicles (trucks, safety vehicles)
- Modern and highly visible safety clothing
Vehicle fleet with highly fluorescent reflective strips - Safety instructions and training
- Semi-automated traffic cone setting devices
- Intense boxer lights on winter service vehicles for early detection
- Complete recording of all accidents and near misses for more effective prevention work
- Annual driver safety training with heavy winter service vehicles
- Personal emergency call devices for the safe performance of lone working