Today let’s start with a small story - 

‍

In the late 1980s, in an English county, a team of road safety engineers grew concerned about the high accident rate on newly built roads. They collaborated with the County Surveyor to establish a policy: all new road designs had to undergo safety checks before construction, formalizing this as the Road Safety Audit (RSA). This initiative marked the birth of road safety audits, ensuring safer journeys for all.

‍

What is a Road Safety Audit?

‍

A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is a systematic, formal, and thorough assessment of an existing or proposed road or intersection with the goal of lowering the probability of accidents. This audit entails a formal, in-depth investigation carried out by a group of competent, independent auditors who are not members of the design team. Their goal is to find and report any possible project-related safety hazards.

‍

The RSA process adopts a defined methodology, which results in the production of a formal report that is permanently incorporated into the project's record. This complete investigation requires knowledge, experience, time, talent, judgment, and attention to detail. The assessment takes into account a variety of viewpoints, including those of motor vehicle users, bicycles, and pedestrians.

‍

According to U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Road Safety Audits essentially answer the following questions - 

‍

• What elements of the road may present a safety concern: to what extent, to which road users, and under what circumstances?
• What opportunities exist to eliminate or mitigate identified safety concerns?

‍

‍

*Source - https://highways.dot.gov/safety/data-analysis-tools/rsa/road-safety-audits-rsa

Therefore, RSA is a critical tool in road safety, ensuring that roads and intersections are designed or improved with the utmost consideration for safety, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents. 

‍

Benefits of Road Safety Audits

‍

‍

How to Conduct a Road Safety Audit

‍

Step 1:

‍

The exact project or existing road that needs auditing is identified in this first stage along with establishing the critical parameters for carrying out a Road Safety Audit (RSA).

‍

Step 2:

‍

A skilled, independent, and diversified team of experts appropriate for the specific stage of the RSA is chosen after the preceding phase. A team leader is also assigned for direction.

‍

Step 3:

‍

This stage involves holding a meeting with the project owner, design team, and audit team to discuss the context and scope of the RSA while carefully going through all available project data.

Step 4: 

‍

Perform a desk review, examining design blueprints and reports to look for safety-related problems.

‍

Step 5:

‍

Plan for the on-site visit and identification of any potential safety issues. A field visit is used to confirm safety problem detection and to acquire deeper insights into the project or existing route.

‍

Step 6:

‍

Analyze the audit data and write a report that offers a succinct breakdown of safety issues. Set these issues in order of importance and provide methods for lowering the corresponding hazards.

‍

Step 7:

‍

Inform the project owner and design team verbally of the key audit findings to help them better understand the findings.

‍

Step 8:

‍

Compose an official response outlining the measures to resolve safety issues outlined in the RSA report.

‍

Step 9:

Incorporate the discoveries into the project as appropriate and ensure the implementation of the remedial measures.

‍

Step 10:

‍

At the last stage, conduct a follow-up and execute all agreed-upon recommendations and changes for enhanced safety.

‍

Conclusion

‍

In order to achieve safer road networks, road safety audits serve as a crucial component. They detect possible dangers and provide remedies that prevent fatalities by methodically examining both existing and proposed routes. These audits assemble diverse expert teams and promote cooperation among project owners, designers, and auditors. 

‍

RSAs provide the path for focused safety improvements through a thorough examination, prioritization of safety problems, and thorough reporting. They lessen not just the chance of accidents, but also the long-term financial cost of accidents on the road. In essence, road safety audits serve as a symbol of our dedication to making everyone's travels safer and more secure.

‍

Much like how Road Safety Audits work diligently to minimize accidents, SafetyConnect's AI-powered Driving Safety Solution is dedicated to enhancing the safety of field employees while they are on the road. For a firsthand experience, you can book a demo right here.

‍