Road Safety Audits

The Norwegian experience

CEDR- 7th meetingCopenhagen - april 6th, 2005

Richard Muskaug-Directorate of Public Roads

Guidelines

• Handbook 222 Road Safety Audits of roads & traffic schemes – Published in 1999– Same principles as UK, Australia,

Denmark etc– Only pre-opening stages– Includes: formal process, steps to

follow, checklists

• NPRA traffic safety report for audits on existing roads– Fewer new roads – Emphasis on existing roads– Published in 2000

Evaluations

• Evaluation of process:– Due to low no. of plans audited– Focus on internal process– Personal interviews – owners & auditors– Conclusions such as:

• Not audited at right moment (decisions already taken)

• Lack of auditors

• Analysis of findings- existing roads– Focusing on safety deficiencies outside

& inside built up areas– Typical safety problems connected to

design features:• Lamp posts• Road barriers (guard rail endings)• Junctions• Private accesses• Location of road equipment, signs etc.

– Including experience gained from audits

Simplified method

• In process• Limited resources, safety

awareness & low-volume roads• Search for efficiency • Use of video recordings• Excel-based reporting forms• Deficiencies, cure & cost- “banks”• Field inspection, only to identify

deficiencies hidden in video and as a control of findings from video inspection

Thematic inspections

• Bicycle route inspections– Same principles as RSA– Focus on; safety, security & speed +

visibility, alignment, surface, signing, marking

• Traffic sign renewal program– Method for deficiency identification,

extended use of video recordings.– Standardized reporting system,– Checklists, examples of good practice

Education

• University – based– NTNU based course, 5 credits– Open to all students, consultants &

government employees– One week of classes & project work– Computer based exam (12 hrs)

• Approval as RS auditor– Exam from NTNU (see above)– 5 years of relevant experience within

traffic planning, road safety, etc

• Additional requirement– 1 audit every 24 months

In the future

• Guideline in process of revision• New title: Road safety audits &

inspections• 3 parts

– 1. General Regulations (for owners & auditors)

– 2. Pre-opening stages= audits (for auditors)

• Procedures• Checklists• Good practice• Report outline

– 3. Existing roads=inspections (for auditors)

• Traditional & Simplified methods• Checklists• Good practice• Report outline