GENERAL QUESTIONS

Who is RACV?

RACV represents over 2 million Victorians, and has a member in three out of every four households (on average) in Victoria. RACV strongly advocates on behalf of our members on many mobility related issues.

What is Leader’s role?

RACV’s partnership with Leader Community Newspapers enables us to identify more local issues in as wide an area as possible. Leader’s 33 newspapers reach almost 1.9 million readers each week.

What is a Redspot?

A Redspot is a location on the road or public transport network with unnecessary or excessive congestion and potentially makes road users ‘see red’. Redspots may be an intersection, part of a road, railway crossing, a bus or tram stop or somewhere else.

What is the Redspot Survey?                                                                                        

The Redspot Survey is a snapshot of Victoria’s most frustrating congestion hotspots. In our last survey in 2010, more than 8,000 motorists and public transport users told us about the sites, which made them see red.

Is a Redspot the same as a Black Spot?

No. A Redspot is a location of congestion nominated by the public. It is based on people’s perception of congestion at various locations. This does not necessarily mean that they are the most congested sites in Victoria. Rather, the public believes that at these locations they encounter unnecessary or excessive congestion.

VicRoads Black Spot program is based upon data that shows where crashes frequently occur. This program addresses individual sites that require attention due to the increased number of crashes, and is a reactive approach to road safety.

How much of a problem is congestion?

Congestion increases travel time and vehicle operating costs, with run-on effects that impact on the entire economy. Congestion adds extra costs on road users of around $3 billion per year in Melbourne* alone.

* Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, Working Paper 71 – Estimating urban traffic and congestion cost trends for Australian cities.

Can I place a link from my website to the survey?

If you wish to link to the survey please call RACV’s Public Policy Department on (03) 9790 2863.

SURVEY QUESTIONS

What was the call to action?

As our eyes and ears, we asked the community to report congested locations (Redspots) on Victorian roads.

How long did the Survey run for?

The survey began on Monday 24 May 2010 and continued until Friday 9 July 2010.

How could I nominate a Redspot?

The survey appeared on www.redspotsurvey.com.au, in RoyalAuto (RACV’s member magazine) June edition, RACV Retail Shops and Leader community newspapers. The easiest way for people to have their say is through this website.

The Survey is now closed for 2010. It will be run again in 2012. In the meantime if you have concerns about a particular location on Victoria’s road network, we encourage you to report them directly to the road authority. Find out how to report the problems you have noticed.

Could I nominate more than one Redspot?

Yes. Individuals can only nominate a location once, but can nominate more than one location. Each location needed to be submitted on a separate form.

My site has already been nominated on the 2010 Redspot nominee map, do I nominate it again?

Yes. The top Redspots are determined by the number of nominations that each site receives. So even if someone else has nominated your site, please nominate it again.

Can I distribute the survey form in my community?

Yes. You are welcome to photocopy the survey form and hand it out. We ask that you do not pre-fill in the form or instruct people on which sites to nominate.

Why did my Redspot not appear on the 2010 Redspot nominees map?

All Redspots are shown to the nearest 400 metres on the map, so if someone had already nominated a Redspot within 400 metres of yours, it will be shown at the location that was submitted first. It is however, recorded in our Redspot Survey database as the exact location you nominated in the form.

RESULTS QUESTIONS

What happens with my Redspot nomination?

The results are analysed by RACV transport engineers and discussed with the road authorities, VicRoads and local Councils, so they are aware of the locations where the public perceives there are inadequacies on the road network. The results of the Redspot Survey are referred to by the road authorities when setting budgets for road funding.

Does it work?

Yes. Over $190 million has been allocated by Federal, State and local Governments to fix locations nominated as a Redspot in the 2008 Survey.

How can I find out about the results of the 2010 Survey?

The results of the 2010 Redspot Survey have been released through RoyalAuto (RACV’s Member Magazine), Leader Community Newspapers and this website.

Where can I get more information on the program?

If you have a specific query about the survey contact RACV’s Public Policy Department on 9790 2863.

COMPETITION AND PRIVACY QUESTIONS

What was the competition?

RACV members who nominated a Redspot and provide their member number went into the draw to win a $500 voucher to spend at RACV’s Healesville Club.

RACV members who nominated their Redspot online at www.redspotsurvey.com.au also went into the draw to win a $500 voucher to spend at any one of RACV’s Cape Schanck, Cobram or Inverloch Resorts.

Competition closed 9 July 2010. Prizes drawn 4pm, 30 July 2010 at 550 Princes Hwy, Noble Park North. Winners notified by phone. Terms and conditions apply.

What about privacy?

RACV does not collect personal information which can identify participants as part of the survey. If a member chooses to enter the competition we require their membership number in order to identify them if they are a prize winner. Only the details of prize winners was accessed.