Metronet – Byford Rail Extension
Ensuring Safe Design Through Comprehensive
Road Safety Auditing in Perth
Byford Rail Extension Project Overview
The METRONET Byford Rail Extension expands Perth’s Armadale Rail Line south from the existing Armadale Station to Byford, delivering high-quality rail access to the Shire of Serpentine–Jarrahdale.
This major project enhances regional connectivity while improving safety through grade separations at Armadale Road, Forrest Road and Church Avenue (rail over road) and Eleventh Road (road over rail). These upgrades complement the existing grade separation at Thomas Road.
To encourage active transport, a new Principal Shared Path (PSP) now also extends approximately 8 km from Armadale Road to Alexander Road, Byford, with grade-separated crossings to ensure pedestrian and cyclist safety.
RoadLogic’s Role
RoadLogic was engaged by Laing O’Rourke, the lead alliance partner, to deliver Road Safety Auditing services across all project phases.
Our contribution included:
These processes ensured safety was considered from concept to completion, aligning with RoadLogic’s best-practice risk-reduction principles.
Challenges and Solutions
The Byford Rail Extension’s scale and complexity required innovative auditing methods. These include:
1. Efficient Inspection Coverage
Large project areas unsuitable for walking inspections were assessed using vehicle-based reviews, supported by aerial imagery and targeted on-foot spot checks.
2. Active Transport Assessment
The 8 km PSP was audited using e-bikes fitted with video cameras, allowing auditors to review user experience and identify safety concerns directly from a cyclist’s perspective.
3. Fast-Tracked Pre-Opening Reviews
To meet a State Government delivery deadline, RoadLogic worked closely with the construction team to condense the audit schedule while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
4. New Infrastructure Type – Equestrian Path
An equestrian path concept, new to Western Australia, required research into Highways England standards for horse-riding safety. Though not ultimately constructed, the review established valuable precedent knowledge for future projects.
5. Consistent Audit Team
A dedicated three-person team (two Senior Road Safety Auditors and one Road Safety Auditor) provided continuity across all 31 audits, ensuring consistent assessment throughout design and construction.
Compliance and Standards
All audits followed the Austroads Guide to Road Safety – Part 6: Road Safety Audit and Main Roads WA’s Road Safety Audit Policy.
The team applied the Safe System approach, ensuring all design elements contributed to reducing crash risk for all road users. Supporting references included:
This rigorous compliance framework ensured every stage of the project met national and state-level safety expectations.
Outcomes and Results
Across the project, RoadLogic delivered 31 detailed Road Safety Audit reports identifying risks and recommending treatments to improve safety outcomes.
Key Achievements:
Through this proactive approach, the completed project delivers a safer, more efficient transport corridor consistent with METRONET’s long-term vision.
Collaboration and Impact
This was RoadLogic’s fourth major collaboration with Laing O’Rourke, reinforcing a strong working relationship based on trust, professionalism, and technical excellence.
Through this partnership, RoadLogic continues to contribute to the delivery of safe, sustainable transport infrastructure across Western Australia — helping communities travel with confidence and safety.
