1. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Road Safety Audit General Introduction Eva M. Eichinger, M.Sc., Ph.D. Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology Road Directorate Technology and Road Safety Division 1

2. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 RSA is a systematic procedure intended to give particular consideration to road safety requirements when planning and designing roads RSA is a safety check in the planning and design phase of road building and reconstruction projects (costs!) Includes also road furniture and the securing of roadwork zones Three parties are involved: Road administrations Road Planners Auditors What is RSA?

3. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Involved Parties Client (Road Owner) Planner Auditor

4. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 RSA ensures that –(minimal) requirements of the current guidelines associated with safety are observed –Design and construction consider traffic safety from the viewpoint of experienced auditors –Safety is considered in addition to costs, environment, local circumstances,.... Aim of RSA

5. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Safe use of traffic scheme for all road users? Safest design within the framework of design standards? More safety possible by consideration of latest findings? Principles of RSA

6. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Frequent deficits of road sections –Choice of unsafe/less safe cross sections –Inconsistencies in horizontal alignment –Inconsistencies in 3D alignment –Insufficient passing sight distance –Insufficient water run-off –Deficient pedestrian and cycle facilities –Missing road-side barriers/safety installations, insufficient prevention from road side obstacles Why RSA?

7. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Frequent deficits of road junctions –Inappropriate type of junction (at grade, no signal control) –Left turns without signal control –Insufficient visual perception (e.g. in tree-lined roads) –No speed limit approach –Missing prohibition of overtaking –Misleading signs; signs hidden by sight obstructions –Wrong road markings (e.g. position of stop lines, missing continuous line,...) Why RSA?

8. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Planning phase Draft design phase Detailed design phase Opening phase When RSA?

9. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 No criteria to exclude projects from RSA depending on –Costs –Road type –Road owner What projects should be audited? Great deficits also at small projects

10. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Procedure of RSA Commission of the auditor by the client All documents from the client Independent analysis of deficits by the auditor Audit report by auditor Client decides on modification Planner rectifies deficits Written justification of rejection End of audit phase Yes No

11. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Basic qualification Additional qualification by RSA courses Knowledge about recent state-of-the-art in accident research Requirements to the auditor

12. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Either: auditors work in units of administration not participating in the planning process Or: administration selects external auditors Or: combination of internal and external auditors RSA can be conducted by single auditor or audit team Internal or external audit

13. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Formalised –Separtate part of the project with procedural rules for client, planner and auditor Standardized –Checkable standardised procedures with defined procedural steps (checklists) Independent –Neither client nor planner must give the auditor instructions, auditor must not participate in planning Framework conditions for RSA

14. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Analysis of foreign experience Analysis of national procedures in planning/design Coordination/discussion with Nat. Road Authorities Realisation of pilot audits Benefits and cost-effectiveness Guidelines for a National RSA Milestones towards a national RSA

15. Road Safety Audit CEDR SG „Road Safety“ Eva M. Eichinger Copenhagen, April, 2004 Costs –Costs of RSA –Additional costs of planning –Cost-expensive improvements Benefits –Prevention of accidents –No need for modification after construction –No restrictions for user after opening –Reduction of construction costs, e.g. because of less intersections Question: Who pays??? Liability of planners? Costs and benefits of RSA