Road Safety Audit

Summary

This video script delves into the critical aspects of road safety audits, aiming to ensure the highest safety standards for all road users. It outlines the definition, objectives, and general attributes of a safe road, including proper alignment, cross-section, access control, and traffic management. The script details the audit process involving preparation, site inspections, and report findings, emphasizing the importance of identifying and addressing potential hazards at various stages of road development, from planning to post-opening.

Takeaways

• 🛣️ Road Safety Audit (RSA) is a formal examination of road planning, design, construction, and operation to identify potential safety hazards and ensure the highest standard of safety for all road users.
• 🎯 The goal of RSA is to ensure that all road projects and existing roads provide the highest practicable standard of traffic safety, considering the needs of all users.
• 🚦 Attributes of a safe road include appropriate horizontal and vertical alignment, proper road cross-section, access control, clear intersections, traffic signing, delineation, pavement quality, drainage, lighting, and overall traffic management.
• 🔍 RSA objectives include identifying potential safety hazards in new projects, assessing hazardous features in existing roads, ensuring safety requirements are considered in all stages of road projects, and reducing the overall risk of accidents.
• 📚 The RSA process involves seven steps: preparation of the audit brief, appointment of auditors, assembling background information, initial meetings, conducting the audit, preparing the report, and deciding on required actions.
• 📈 RSA is most effective when conducted at five key stages in highway development: feasibility and planning, draft design, detailed design, construction and pre-opening, and post-opening.
• 🏗️ During the construction stage, RSA focuses on traffic management, site inspections, compliance with construction standards, and ensuring safety for all road users during the construction period.
• 🌳 Post-opening audits of existing roads aim to identify and correct potential hazards proactively, considering wear and tear, traffic operations, and changes due to landscaping.
• 👷‍♂️ RSA guidelines were first published in 1997 by the Public Works Department of Malaysia, with the involvement of a senior road engineer and a road safety expert from Australia, Edward Button.
• 📋 The checklist for RSA at different stages includes various elements such as geometric design, road markings, street furniture, traffic control, and environmental considerations.
• 🚨 For existing roads, RSA checks for safety issues related to normal wear and tear, landscaping changes, and the adequacy of traffic management measures, with a focus on preventing accidents.

Q & A

What is the definition of a Road Safety Audit (RSA)?

A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is defined as the formal examination of the planning, design, and construction of a road project, as well as the characteristics and operation of an existing road by independent and qualified examiners to identify any potentially unsafe features or operational arrangements that may adversely affect the safety of any road user.

What is the primary goal of the road safety audit process?

The primary goal of the road safety audit process is to ensure that all road projects and existing roads are capable of providing the highest practicable standard of traffic safety for all road users.

What are the general attributes of a safe road according to the script?

A safe road has appropriate standards of horizontal and vertical alignment, a road cross-section with appropriate lane and shoulder provisions, access control consistent with the road's function, clearly visible and uncomplicated intersections, traffic signing with clear information, consistent delineation of the roadway, high standard of skid resistance, pavement with good drainage, appropriate street lighting, and overall traffic management that considers the needs of all road users.

What are the objectives of a road safety audit?

The objectives of a road safety audit are to identify potential safety hazards on new road projects at the appropriate stage, identify hazardous features of existing roads, ensure safety requirements of all users are considered in planning, design, construction, and operation of road projects, and reduce the overall risk of a road project to the community.

Who started the road safety audit work in Malaysia and when?

Road safety audit work started in Malaysia in 1995 under the supervision of senior road engineers and a road safety expert from Australia, Edward Button.

What are the seven steps involved in the procedure for a road safety audit?

The seven steps are: 1) Preparation of the audit brief, appointment of the auditor, and appointment of the independent assessor. 2) Assembling background information for the road to be audited. 3) Initial meeting with auditors and handing over plans and documents. 4) Carrying out the audit and site inspection. 5) Preparing the audit report. 6) Completion meeting presentation and discussion of audit findings. 7) Deciding on the action required on the audit findings.

At what stages of highway development are road safety audits most appropriately carried out?

Road safety audits are most appropriately carried out at five stages: feasibility and planning, draft design, detailed design, construction and pre-opening, and post-opening stages.

What is the significance of the feasibility and planning stage in road safety audits?

The feasibility and planning stage is significant as it helps identify safety problems associated with the overall concept of the project, road network safety implications, and strategy issues such as access control and provisions for various road user groups, which may need special emphasis.

What are some of the issues considered during the preliminary design stage of a road safety audit?

During the preliminary design stage, issues such as cross-section elements, intersections, interchanges, carriageway layout, traffic control options, vertical and horizontal alignment standards, and right-of-way requirements are considered.

What are the key aspects checked during the detailed design stage of a road safety audit?

In the detailed design stage, the audit checks the geometric design, road markings, street furniture, landscape, and clear zones, as well as the final grading, drainage, and landscaping design, and the placement of traffic signing, traffic controls, and street lighting.

What is the purpose of the pre-opening stage audit in road safety audits?

The purpose of the pre-opening stage audit is to conduct site inspections of the project both by day and at night, just prior to its practical completion or opening to traffic, to ensure that the project opens in the best condition to provide safe and efficient operation.

What does a road safety audit of an existing road aim to identify and correct?

A road safety audit of an existing road aims to identify and correct potential hazards before accidents occur due to them. It is proactive, focusing on safety problems that may have developed due to wear and tear, traffic operations, and changes in the environment such as obstructing traffic signs or impaired sight distance.

What are the key items checked during the road safety audit of street lighting at stage 5?

During the road safety audit of street lighting at stage 5, key items checked include the provision of through lighting on roads and highways, the appropriate standard and consistency of lighting with the needs of the location and pedestrians, and the identification of any street lighting poles that may constitute a hazard to traffic.

What are the considerations for traffic signing during a road safety audit at stage 5?

During a road safety audit at stage 5, considerations for traffic signing include checking the general aspects of the traffic signs, ensuring appropriate regulatory and warning signs are provided where necessary, and confirming that guide and directional signs are systematic, logical, and meet the needs of unfamiliar drivers.

What are the general traffic management items checked in a road safety audit at stage 5?

In a road safety audit at stage 5, general traffic management items checked include special provisions for motorcycles and pedestrians, the adequacy and credibility of existing speed enforcement, effectiveness of speed limit signs, considerations for substandard geometries, placement of rumble strips, and the use of retro-reflective materials on substandard locations.