Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Volume 5 Section 2
Part 3
NRA HA 42/07
March 2007
VERSION H PRINTED 05/11/200911:34:08
Summary :
This Advice Note provides guidance on undertaking Road Safety Audits on National Road schemes.
It is intended to be read in conjunction with the Standard NRA HD19 – Road Safety Audits.
PART 3
NRA HA 42/07
Contents
Chapter
1. Introduction
3. Procedures
5. Legal Implications
7. References
8. Enquiries
March 2007
National Roads Authority Volume 5 Section 2
Design Manual for Roads and Bridge Part 3 NRA HA 42/07
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Definitions completely separate organisation to the Design
Team.
These Guidelines should be read in conjunction
with the National Roads Authority (NRA) Design Audit Team Leader (ATL): The person nominated
Manual for Roads and Bridges Standard NRA and approved as Audit Team Leader in
HD19, Road Safety Audits (NRA DMRB 5.2.2). accordance with the memorandum discussed
above.
Road Safety Audit: The evaluation of road
schemes during design and construction to Director: The Head of Engineering in the
identify potential safety hazards which may affect Overseeing Organisation. The Overseeing
any type of road user before the scheme is opened Organisation for National Roads is the NRA.
to traffic, and to suggest measures to eliminate or
mitigate those problems. This is a formal process Scheme Project Manager (SPM): The person
involving signed written reports. responsible for ensuring the progression of a
scheme in accordance with policy and procedures.
Road Safety Check: The checking of road
schemes during design and construction to Design Team Leader (DTL): The person within
identify potential safety hazards, including an the Design Team responsible for managing the
informal reporting system. scheme design.
Road Schemes: All works that involve permanent Exception Report: A report prepared by the
change to the existing road layout. This includes Scheme Project Manager on each
any change to kerb or road edge, vertical recommendation in the Audit Report where
alignment, signs, road markings, lighting, Design Team and Audit Team cannot agree
signalling, drainage, landscaping and installation appropriate means of addressing an underlying
of roadside equipment. safety problem identified by the Audit.
Design Office: The organisation managing the Overseeing Organisation: Where the scheme is
various phases of scheme preparation and not on a National Road, then the appropriate
supervision of construction. overseeing organisation shall be substituted for
NRA.
Design Team: The group undertaking the various
phases of scheme preparation and supervision of During the course of scheme preparation and
construction on behalf of the Design Office. This construction the Design Office or Design Team
may be a team within the Design Office or a may change, as may the personnel within the
separate consultant. Design Team and Audit Team. It is
recommended that, where possible, the same
Audit Team: A team of a minimum of two Audit Team is used throughout the scheme
persons, independent of the Design Team and delivery to ensure a consistent approach.
approved by the Overseeing Organisation. The
Audit Team shall comprise staff with appropriate 1.2 History and Background
levels of training and experience in road safety
engineering, accident investigation, and road The road safety audit process was initiated when
safety audit, as set out in memorandum produced road safety engineers realised that they were
from time to time by the Overseeing Organisation. carrying out accident remedial schemes on
Each member of the Audit Team shall consider relatively new roads. Adopting the principle of
the scheme design at specific stages to identify “prevention is better than cure”, they decided to
road safety problems. In the case of Design and use some of the safety experience they had gained
Build schemes, the Audit Team shall be from a from the remedial work, and design safety into
new road schemes. The UK Institution of
Stage
F 1 2 1/2 3
Scheme type
Major scheme X X X X
Minor scheme / Traffic scheme
X X X
(complex)
Minor scheme / Traffic scheme
X X
(simple)
Major development X X X X
Minor development X X
Pavement improvement scheme X X
Temporary traffic management X X
The purpose of a road safety audit is to identify These guidelines also apply to arrangements
potential road safety hazards within the scheme between developers and Roads Authorities
design. Road safety audits should not consider regarding road safety audits of the road and traffic
structural safety. They should consider only those elements of development planning proposals.
matters, which have an adverse effect on road Further information on this issue is provided in
safety. A road safety audit is not a check of Section 6.3.
compliance with design standards.
1.5 Accident Causation
Road safety audits should consider road safety
under all operating conditions. Work carried out at University College Cork in
1994 found that in Ireland driver/rider factors
There is little direct overlap between the task of were the most important contributors to the cause
road safety audit (which relates principally to of road accidents followed by road condition
future operational safety of the scheme) and the factors. This is true for both urban and rural
Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act and its situations and for all casualty types.
current Regulations. However, it will be
important to ensure that Stages F, 1 and 2 road The way in which the road itself influences the
safety audits are received by the relevant Project road user is crucial. Accidents occur because road
Supervisor for Design Process for the scheme users fail to cope with their road environment.
prior to invitation to tender, and placed within the Although this can often be due to carelessness or
Safety File. Stage 3 (post-construction) road impairment, their ability to cope can be influenced
safety audits should also be placed within the for good or ill by basic design factors, and by the
Safety File. signs and markings that provide information and
warning.
Recommendations for dealing with identified road
safety hazards should make allowance for the fact Safety principles based on research carried out
that strategic decisions on route choice and into road traffic accidents are described in more
junction type reflect a balance of factors including detail in Chapter 2. The road safety auditor’s role
safety. Recommendations requiring major is to use safety engineering experience to ask the
changes in these areas are therefore unlikely to be question “how will all road users cope at all times
practicable to implement, particularly after Stage and in all conditions with this road
1 of the road safety audit process. environment?”, to identify safety problems, and to
suggest measures that will minimise future
For certain categories of scheme it may be accident occurrence and severity.
necessary to confine the scope of the audit so that
only particular pre-defined elements of the road
layout are assessed. Specification of these
“Confined Road Safety Audits” is at the discretion
To assist in the determination and needs for all in order to prevent potential conflict. One of the
road users, it is essential that traffic data and local primary requirements in good roundabout design
user surveys are used to shape the design process is that the radius is tighter on the entry than the
and tailor a ‘safer’ environment. exit, this ensures a slow entry and lower
circulating speed.
2.3 Roadway Elements and Safety Visibility is a key requirement for all junction
types, all road users need to see and be seen by
2.3.1 Design Context others. Care should be taken with siting street
furniture and vegetation within visibility splays.
Safe road design varies from the urban to the rural Vulnerable road users often experience difficulties
road network; and a number of external factors crossing junctions. It is important that their needs
can create a situation in which a safe road in one are provided for and that safe crossing places are
location becomes unsafe due to external factors implemented where required.
beyond the designer’s control. These factors can
include traffic volumes, population density, noise, 2.3.3 Links
or road user familiarity.
Links that are well designed with few private
The function of a road should be clear to all road access points traditionally have a good safety
users, and a well planned and defined road record. However, within the urban environment
hierarchy can assist in providing a safe road strict access control is more difficult.
network. The design speed can also be an
important factor in influencing the safety of a road The principal factors affecting the safety of road
and should be appropriate to the location, local links are:
road users and level of private access control.
Private access control - there is a direct
2.3.2 Junctions correlation between the number of access
points between links and the accident
The most important point to consider with respect numbers on any given road. This is also true
to the safety of junctions is that both the layout of central reserve gaps in dual carriageways;
and control method should be simple and clear, Proximity of junctions - the majority of
with defined priorities for all road users. accidents take place at junctions, it is essential
that junction spacing is maximised and
The assumption that ‘straight on’ traffic has consistent junction types are used;
priority is widely accepted and it needs to be Horizontal & vertical curves - accident
remembered that alterations to this, despite frequency increases at crests and dips (vertical
reinforcement with signs and lines can still be curvature) and increasing the degree of
confusing if visual clues such as fences, kerbing horizontal curvature increases accident
or lighting remain unchanged. frequency;
Visibility - adequate forward visibility to
It is important to attempt to make any minor junctions, crossings and safe stopping
approach perpendicular to the main road, and distances is crucial to ensure a safe road
junctions with acute angles should be avoided. design;
These angled junctions pose a particular problem Design Speed - the design speed influences
for the elderly or those with restricted neck the likely pre-crash impact speed in a road
movements, and forward and side visibility is traffic accident. Therefore, it is important that
often restricted. Similarly, it is advisable to avoid the road environment and design speed
intersections on the inside of bends as foliage selected are appropriate and where possible
often encroaches into sight lines after several excess speed is discouraged;
years. Combinations of elements – where two or
more sub-standard design elements are
Roundabouts used as a form of junction control combined, it is more likely that a hazard will
have their own rules and design requirements. It emerge.
is important that a roundabout looks like a
roundabout from all approaches, and for all users,
3. PROCEDURES
In most situations the Audit Team will comprise a The Scheme Project Manager will request CVs
senior person who will adopt the role of Audit from prospective audit team leaders and team
Team Leader. The second person in the team will members prior to the appointment of an audit
be the Audit Team Member. team. These CVs should be submitted to the
NRA Road Safety Section for approval.
Training of road safety auditors is essential and Applications for approval of audit teams must be
any Audit Team Member should have attended submitted on the standard form in Appendix D
recognised road safety engineering training and and can be emailed to roadsafetyaudits@nra.ie.
road safety audit training courses. Acceptance will be of individuals, rather than of
consultancy firms bidding for the work, and the
The current NRA requirement for Road Safety approval process will be carried out for each
Audit Teams is as follows. Three categories of individual audit. Quality checks will be carried
person are identified: out on a sample of completed road safety audits
and the results of these checks may be taken into
Audit Team Leader account when audit teams are being approved.
Audit Team Leaders should preferably be road
safety engineers with at least two years experience When an audit team is approved, the SPM may
of accident investigation and remedial measures, appoint the team and must prepare an Audit Brief.
will have taken part in ten road safety audits, and The checklist in Appendix E must be completed
will have attended an accredited three to five day and must accompany the brief.
course in road safety audit theory and practice.
In some instances, road engineers with at least As approval shall be given to an Audit Team only
two years experience in road design will qualify for the audit for which it is sought the approval
provided they have taken part in ten road safety procedure must be carried out for each following
audits, and have attended a two week accredited audit stage for each scheme. Although it is
Road Safety Engineering course which includes a recommended that where possible the same Audit
three to five day module in road safety audit Team is used throughout the scheme delivery to
theory and practice. ensure a consistent approach, it may in certain
Audit Team Leaders will have done as team circumstances be necessary for NRA to refuse
members at least two audits of a similar stage and approval for a team.
scheme type to that for which approval is being
sought. They will also have done at least five 4.3 Site Visits Including Stage 3
road safety audits within the preceding two years.
A site visit must be carried out at the first audit
Audit Team Member stage being undertaken by an audit team. Site
Audit Team Members will be road safety visits must also be carried out at Stage 2 unless
engineers, road design engineers or road traffic otherwise agreed with the Scheme Project
4.7 Methodology for Stage 3 Audits Leader, Audit Team Leader and Scheme
Project Manager;
At Stage 3 it is recommended that the Resident A copy of both the final report and the
Engineer and a representative of the organisation Feedback Form should be sent for information
responsible for future road maintenance should be to the NRA Road Safety Section. This can be
available for consultation with the audit team as emailed to roadsafetyaudits@nra.ie or sent on
required on the day of the audit. The Gardai may CD.
have specific local information and knowledge of
safety issues. The Garda District Superintendent There is often pressure to open new road schemes
should be notified by the Scheme Project Manager as soon as they are completed. This makes it
in advance of the Stage 3 audit. The Gardai are difficult to carry out the process described above
thus given the option of sending a representative and provide an immediate report. On these
to meet the audit team on the day of the audit. occasions it is recommended to undertake a "pre-
Stage 3" audit shortly before completion. If the
The road safety audit team observers do not sign recommendations from the pre-Stage 3 audit are
the audit report. acted upon, the final Stage 3 audit will be less
onerous. It may also be possible to provide the
A suggested working method for undertaking Resident Engineer with a copy of the hand-written
Stage 3 road safety audits is as follows: notes taken during the Stage 3 visit, or with a
typed up version shortly afterwards. The Resident
The audit team visits the site during daylight; Engineer can then start to act upon these notes
The audit team walks, drives and, where prior to receiving the formal Stage 3 audit report.
appropriate, cycles along and across the
scheme; In the case of greenfield road alignments
One team member takes notes of all the particular care should be taken in examining the
possible safety points; tie-ins to the existing alignment. Because of the
The other team member takes photographs of difficulty of seeing these areas in operation before
all the possible safety points; road opening it may be necessary to return
Before leaving the site a team meeting is held immediately after opening to complete the audit.
to ensure that the note-taker has covered all
safety points; 4.8 Audit Brief
The audit team visits the site during darkness;
One team member produces a draft Audit The list below describes the items that should be
Report and circulates it to all present at the provided for road safety audit. It is the
site visit; responsibility of the Scheme Project Manager to
The report is edited following comments from ensure that the audit team receives the necessary
information. The Road Safety Audit Brief
the other team members and observers;
Checklist in Appendix E must be completed and
The audit team leader attends a meeting with
given to the audit team as part of the audit brief.
the Design Team, Scheme Project Manager
and NRA Project Manager, to discuss the
draft report; Design Brief;
The audit team produces the final report, Design checklist (if relevant);
signed by all members of the team, and sends Departures from Standard;
it to the Scheme Project Manager. Copies Scheme plans (list separately if possible);
should be sent by SPM to the Design Team Other scheme details (list separately if
and NRA Project Manager; possible) e.g. signs schedules;
The Feedback Form should be filled in by the Accident printout for existing roads affected
Design Team in consultation with the SPM, by the scheme;
and discussed with the audit team, as detailed Traffic surveys;
in 4.10; Previous Road Safety Audit Reports;
The final Feedback Form is signed by all Previous Exception Reports;
three principal parties involved: Design Team Start date for construction;
Any other information (list separately).
Having carried out a road safety audit by looking Recommendations should be as practical as
through scheme plans or examining the completed possible and be relative to the overall scheme
scheme on site a formal report is written. cost. There is little value in putting forward a
recommendation that will add more than a small
The following items should be included within the percentage increase to the cost of a scheme. Costs
audit report: and benefits are discussed in more detail in
Section 6.1.
A brief description of the scheme being
audited, and the audit stage; It must be recognised that the implementation of
The dates when the audit was carried out (and certain measures will be outside the authority of
the date of the site visit); the Design Team and Scheme Project Manager.
A list of the audit team members and any Recommendations to implement such measures
other personnel attending the site visit; should not be included, although such measures
A series of road safety problems and may be discussed within the report.
recommendations for action - it may be useful
to include a plan showing the location of the Safety problems that remain unaddressed
problems; throughout the audit process should be repeated at
A statement signed by the audit team subsequent audit stages. Recommendations may
members to certify that they have examined change as appropriate to the stage the design has
the scheme; reached. For example, a Stage 1 audit on a
For design stage audits, a list of all plans and realignment scheme might identify problems with
other information examined; the position of a particular junction, and would
consequently recommend either closure or
Feedback Form for completion by the Design
relocation. At Stage 2, if the design shows the
Team Leader and the Audit Team Leader.
junction in its originally proposed location the
auditors should note this and recommend
The main element of the report is the section on
alternative measures to mitigate the problem such
problems and recommendations and the following
as additional signing, road markings, change of
points should be borne in mind when writing this
road surface, etc.
section:
A sample Road Safety Audit Report is shown in
All problems identified in a Safety Audit
Appendix C.
Report must relate to road safety problems.
Non-safety items identified can be itemised in
4.10 Design Team Response
a separate report or letter;
All safety problems highlighted should be The recipient of a road safety audit report will be
stated as clearly as possible. A clear the Scheme Project Manager, who will have to
identification of a problem will help the decide whether or not to act on the
Design Office or Design Team to consider not recommendations contained within the report.
only the recommendation in the report but
also to consider alternative ways to overcome The draft report may be discussed at a meeting
the safety problem. between the Audit Team, Design Team, Scheme
Project Manager and NRA Project Manager (in
Road safety audit teams should exercise caution in consultation with the NRA Road Safety Section if
documenting differences in the potential severity required). For Stage 1 and 2 Audits this meeting
of problems, as a problem would not be described may take place some days after the report has
in the report unless it were considered to affect the been completed. Due to time pressures for Stage
safety of the scheme to some extent. It is 3 audits it is suggested that the meeting takes
recommended that the meeting between Audit place immediately after the Stage 3 site visit. The
Team, Design Team, SPM and NRAPM is used as purpose of the meeting is to clarify issues raised
within the audit report. The auditors should be
prepared to indicate the importance of issues Design Team and NRAPM. A copy should also
raised within the report, and to justify why the be sent for information to the NRA Road Safety
problems are genuine safety issues. They should Section. This can be emailed to
not be under external pressure to change their roadsafetyaudits@nra.ie or sent on CD.
report. However, once issues have been clarified
the auditors may feel that they can amend sections 4.11 Exception Report
of the report; for example a recommendation
within their report may be amended in the light of For those cases where the Design Team and the
new information that demonstrates that their Audit Team cannot agree appropriate means of
original ideas could not be implemented. As long addressing an underlying safety problem
as the auditors accept that the new identified by the audit, as indicated in Table 4/1,
recommendation will have a genuine safety an Exception Report must be prepared.
benefit, they can change their draft report, and
produce a final version. The Exception Report should be prepared by the
Scheme Project Manager. It must address only
Having received the final audit report, the Scheme those items in the Audit Report for which an
Project Manager should pass a copy to the Design Exception Report is necessary.
Team, who prepare an Audit Response using the
Road Safety Audit Feedback Form included in An Exception Report will take one of the two
Appendix F. The Scheme Project Manager following forms:
considers this response. In most cases the Scheme Where the Design Team accepts an identified
Project Manager will instruct the Design Team to problem, but Design Team and Audit Team
make changes in response to the audit report. cannot agree on an appropriate recommendation,
Where these are major changes it may be the Exception Report should describe the reasons
necessary to carry out a re-audit of that part of the why the audit team recommendation cannot be
scheme. Where there is a proposal to provide an implemented and outline the alternatives
alternative means of addressing a particular considered and the difficulties involved in
problem, the alternative should be described on implementing them.
the Road Safety Audit Feedback From. The Where the Design Team does not accept that the
Feedback Form is returned to the audit team who identified problem exists, the Exception Report
will do one of the following: should produce some evidence as to why the
problem is not valid. It may be that the audit team
Accept the proposed alternative measure; did not have all information available, or that the
Following discussions with SPM and Design scheme design has changed since the plans used
Team, accept a modified version of the in the audit were prepared
proposed alternative measure;
Reject the proposed alternative measure. While the road safety auditor concentrates on road
safety issues, the Scheme Project Manager will
The Audit Team Leader should then sign the have to weigh up the various consequences of
Feedback Form and return it to the Scheme implementing the recommendations within the
Project Manager, who also signs the form to audit report.
acknowledge completion of the Design Response
procedure. Copies should be sent by SPM to the
There will inevitably be some conflict between road safety audit reports. A suggested working
safety and other issues within the audit process. method for monitoring is outlined below:
Some examples are given below:
Large conspicuous road signs are generally a Identify accident locations;
good idea from a safety point of view, while Identify accident types;
they can have an adverse affect on visual Identify which items highlighted in the road
intrusion; safety audit report were amended on site;
Street lighting generally improves road safety Look at the audit reports and compare the
but has implications for light pollution; recorded accidents against the problems
Multi-lane approaches to roundabouts can highlighted in the report. Those problems that
have a poor safety record but will reduce have not been addressed and recommend
traffic delays. measures not implemented will be of
When writing an Exception Report it should be particular interest;
noted that both the Road Safety Audit and Prepare a monitoring report for the overseeing
Exception Reports could be used in future organisation (with a copy to the original audit
litigation. The legal implications of road safety team).
audit are examined in Chapter 5. It may also be useful to examine maintenance
records as these could highlight where
Exception Reports must be sent to the Director of
damage-only accidents have occurred.
the funding authority and overseeing organisation
for decision. The final decision to accept or reject
4.13 Note for the Resident Engineer
the disputed recommendations rests with the
funding authority for the scheme. For National
Resident Engineers (RE) can take a constructive
Roads this is NRA. The Exception Report
role within the road safety audit process. The key
Decision Form, given in Appendix G, must be
stages for involvement are:
returned to the Scheme Project Manager for action
on the decision
prior to construction, copies of Stage F, 1 & 2
road safety audit reports, responses and
After the Director’s decision copies of the
Exception Report and the Exception Report decisions should be despatched to the RE;
Decision Form should be sent by SPM to the during the construction process any on-site re-
Audit Team, the Design Team and NRA Project design or alterations should be referenced
Manager. A copy should also be sent for back to the Design Team. A safety
information to the NRA Road Safety Section. assessment or Audit may be required;
This can be emailed to roadsafetyaudits@nra.ie or prior to the scheme opening, the RE and
sent on CD. future maintenance representative should have
an opportunity to consult with the Stage 3
4.12 Accident Monitoring audit team. The RE will be in a position to
give advice to the audit team, but should not
When a scheme has been completed, it is attempt to influence their task. Once the
important to monitor its performance in terms of Stage 3 site visit is complete the RE, subject
the number and severity of road accidents and to the agreement of the SPM, may be in a
casualties. position to address some of the findings
immediately without having to wait for the
NRA HD 19 has a requirement for the NRA Road formal audit report.
Safety Section to monitor schemes three years and
six years after completion. The Standard requires
that accident locations and common accident
types are identified and that accident rates and
severity ratios are compared with average rates.
5. LEGAL IMPLICATION
5.1 Background shown that certain aspects of the drainage or
signing were both substandard and contributory to
There are no formal legal requirements to carry accident occurrence. Or it may be where it can be
out road safety audits in Ireland. Safety checking shown that certain procedures, such as road safety
processes are referred to in Chapter 9 of “A Guide audit, were not carried out in accordance with
to Road Safety Engineering in Ireland”, published existing recommended good practice.
by the Department of the Environment in 1996.
In order to succeed, a claimant must show that the
Statutory duties that are relevant in the general Roads Authority failed to take such care as in all
area of road safety are contained in the 1961 Road the circumstances was reasonably required to
Traffic Act. This Act has provisions for both ensure that the road was not dangerous to traffic.
Roads Authorities and the Minister of the In this respect authorities could be judged, inter
Environment to promote road safety. alia, on the basis of the consistency and
objectivity of their internal procedures (including
The 1993 Roads Act places a duty on people road safety audit), and their compliance with any
using public roads to take reasonable care for their published advice on road safety audit.
own safety and for other people using the road.
The 1993 Act also places a duty on Road 5.2 Areas of Concern
Authorities to construct and maintain roads. In
carrying out these duties the Roads Authority has The NRA is therefore concerned about the legal
a responsibility to consider the needs of all road implications of both general safety engineering
users, and can provide for the safety of road users. work, and the requirement for effective road
safety audit procedures.
The 1994 Road Traffic Act makes provision for
the Roads Authority to carry out traffic calming A number of potential issues arise, once an
measures in the interest of safety. accident has occurred on a new road scheme or a
road improvement. In devising road safety audit
With no experience (up to the end of 2006) of guidelines, the NRA has addressed the following
claims having been made against Roads issues:
Authorities in Ireland, in respect of deficient road
safety audit, the guidance on how to deal with What are the legal implications on a road where
possible litigation can only be speculative. There an accident occurs and litigation ensues if:
is increasing evidence, however, of claims being
made against Roads Authorities in cases of road no effective, consistent road safety audit
traffic accidents. There are many reasons given procedures exist?
for this, but it appears that there is an increasing It is considered that until there is a statutory
awareness on the part of both claimants’ solicitors obligation to carry out road safety audit in
and the judiciary of the possibility of contributory Ireland, a Roads Authority is not obliged to do
negligence awards against Roads Authorities. this work;
a road safety audit has been carried out, but ensure that road safety audit ties in with
the recommendations have not been acted responsibilities under the Safety Health and
upon? Welfare at Work Act and its current
Mis-feasance could apply here. The Regulations;
importance of acting on road safety audit monitor the safety performance of road
reports, and having a well documented schemes after they are open;
Exception Report process is strongly give consideration to specific indemnification
emphasised; for road safety audit work carried out by staff
working in this area.
a road safety audit has been carried out, but
has failed to identify a relevant problem? Consultants carrying out road safety audit work
The road safety auditor is considered likely to on behalf of the NRA will be expected to provide
be judged on the basis of whether he or she adequate professional indemnity cover for this
could reasonably have been expected to type of work.
identify that particular problem.
Many Roads and Planning Authorities require a The following are examples of requirements that
road safety audit too late in the planning process can be included as conditions to a planning
to address fundamental safety issues. Once approval.
planning approval has been given it is difficult to The agreed recommendations from the road
require developers to make significant changes to safety audit process must be completed by the
schemes, especially if they are costly or reduce developer to the satisfaction of ....... County
the amount of land available for development. It Council, as the Roads Authority, before the
is important therefore that the road safety audit public road hereby permitted is taken into
process is built into the planning procedure of charge by ....... County Council.
each authority so that audit reports and their The development shall not open for the
responses can be given due consideration by the approved use intended by the developer until
Planning Authority. the road safety audit process has been
complied with by the developer in accordance
The four stages of Road Safety Audit are with NRA Standard TD19 and the agreed
summarised in Table 6/3. Whether all these recommendations from the road safety audit
stages are necessary depends on the size and report have been completed by the developer
impact of the development concerned. to the satisfaction of ....... County Council, as
the Roads Authority,
Stage F: Preplanning, concept stage
Stage 1: Completion of preliminary design The following is an example of a statement of
Stage 2: Completion of detailed design grounds for refusal of planning approval.
Stage 3: Completion of construction. The development is not permitted because
Table 6/3: Road Safety Audit Stages following the adherence of the road safety
audit process, fundamental road safety issues
In the case of large developments a Stage F audit remain. These issues have not been resolved,
should be submitted during preplanning talks, and and it is therefore considered that were the
Stage 1 and 2 audits as part of the planning development to go ahead in its proposed form
application. In the case of small developments a it would pose a significant traffic hazard to
combined Stage 1/2 road safety audit should be road users
submitted as part of the planning application. In
all cases the planning application should contain If a developer refuses to implement a certain
the report from at least one stage of road safety recommendation in the road safety audit report
audit. Any relevant Audit Report and Audit then an Exception Report would be required. The
Response can then be considered by the Local final decision to reject or accept the Exception
Authority before planning permission is granted. Report, i.e. to either implement the disputed
recommendation or not, rests with the Planning
The findings of the road safety audit may possibly Authority and Roads Authority.
lead to the refusal of the planning application but
it is more likely that the developer would be given Once the change in road layout is completed, a
planning permission conditional to specific subsequent Stage 3 road safety audit should be
requirements resulting from the road safety audit carried out. The requirement for this can either be
report recommendations. Although the developer, enforced through planning condition or reached
as instigator of the scheme and commissioner of by agreement between the Planning and Roads
the audit, takes on the role of the Scheme Project Authority and the developer.
Manager in the road safety audit process, it is up
to the Roads Authority to ensure that the resulting It must be stressed that in order to facilitate the
road layout is acceptable and safe for public use. road safety audit procedure within the planning
Discussions in preplanning and use of planning process it is necessary for senior roads and
conditions provide methods of ensuring that the planning staff to review in-house planning
developer implements the recommendations of the application processes, so that the requirement for
road safety audit report. road safety audit is included within each county
development plan and becomes part of the
planning application process.
7. REFERENCES
AA Foundation for Road Safety Research, Urban Accidents: Why do they happen?, 1989.
Austroads, Road Safety Audit Procedures, 1994, updated 2002.
Department of Transport, Denmark, Road Safety Audit Procedures.
Department of the Environment, A Guide to Road Safety Engineering in Ireland, 1996.
Dublin Corporation, Road Safety Audit Procedure, 2000.
Dublin Corporation, Road Safety Audit Guideline, 2000.
Highways Agency, Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 5:
HD 19/03, Road Safety Audits, 2003.
Institution of Highways and Transportation, Guidelines for the Safety Audit of Highways, 1990, 1996.
National Roads Authority, NRA Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 5:
NRA HD 19, Road Safety Audits, 2004.
Roads Act, 1993.
Road Traffic Act, 1961.
Road Traffic Act, 1994.
8. ENQUIRIES
8.1 All technical enquiries or comments on these guidelines should be sent in writing to:
……………………………………………………...
E O’CONNOR
Head of Project Management and Engineering
DT prepares Audit
Response using
Re-audit if amendments are substantial
Feedback Form
NO
NRA Director either
rejects or accepts
Scheme proceeds with Exception Report
agreed amendments
After stage 3
NRA monitors
APPENDIX B:
Auditor’s Checklist – Major Issues to be Considered
(Source: IHT Road Safety Audit Guidelines)
General
Consistency of standards with adjacent road network, especially at tie-ins
Secondary effects on surrounding road network
Where a preferred scheme is being chosen, relative safety performance of options
Routes
Impact of standard of route, related to design flows and speed, on safety
Overtaking opportunities
Consistency of junction arrangements, access control
Frequency of junctions (public and private) related to safe access
Horizontal and vertical alignments consistent with visibility requirements, both along the road and at junctions
Facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians
Provision for unusual aspects of traffic composition (heavy concentrations of particular types of road user), or
environment (e.g. sunrise / sunset glare, fog, or wind)
Area Schemes
Designation of functions for different elements of the road hierarchy
Scheme consistent with overall safety plan
General
Review any previous Road Safety Audit in order to allow for subsequent design changes
For major schemes, determine need for land take for safety requirements
Junctions
Minimising potential conflict points at junctions (including numbers of private accesses)
Conspicuity of junctions on approach, and sight lines from minor road approaches and private accesses
Control of approach speed, and layout of approach roads
Provision for turning traffic
Location and access of lay-bys
Other
Impact of landscaping on visibility and road user perception
Concept of road marking / signing for road user perception
Provision for safety aids on steep hills
Facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians
Potential for flooding due to inadequate drainage
Compatibility with adjacent network at tie-ins
Servicing access and maintenance arrangements
General
Review any previous Road Safety Audit in order to allow for subsequent design changes
Note: Scope for altering alignments or junction design is less extensive at this stage, so the Road Safety Audit will
focus mainly on details of signing, marking, lighting, etc, and issues which affect visibility and drivers’ perception of
the road scene, and provide aids to safety.
Junctions
Appropriateness of corner radii or curvature in relation to approach speed
Road users’ perception of road layout
Landscaping
Potential obstruction to visibility from landscaping, taking account of future growth
Potential for trees to become collision objects: choice of appropriate species
Ability to maintain planted areas safely
Protective aids
Positioning of safety fences, and guard rails to protect against vehicle conflicts or roadside objects (poles, columns,
statutory undertakers’ apparatus), without obscuring visibility
Use of arrester beds
Surface characteristics
Appropriate surfacing for high speed roads, or locations (e.g. bends) which are potentially hazardous when wet
Appropriate surfacing for approaches to junctions, and thresholds to villages or residential areas in towns, to
encourage lower vehicle speeds
General
Review any previous Road Safety Audit in order to allow for subsequent design changes.
The main emphasis is to inspect the scheme from the viewpoint of the different road users, considering where
appropriate the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians, public transport operators, and HGVs as well as car drivers.
Inspection at appropriate times of day, in particular in daylight and darkness
Checklist 2 provides an appropriate aide memoire
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 This report describes a Stage 2 Road Safety Audit carried out on a proposed by-pass at Sometown,
on behalf of Campbell and Bellamy Partnership. The audit was carried out between 12 and 18
October 2000 in the offices of ABC Consultancy.
1.3 The audit comprised an examination of the drawings relating to the scheme supplied by the design
office. Mr Grommit visited the site on 12 October 2000.
1.4 This Stage 2 audit has been carried out in accordance with the relevant sections of NRA HD 19/01.
The team has examined only those issues within the design relating to the road safety implications of
the scheme, and has therefore not examined or verified the compliance of the design to any other
criteria.
1.6 All of the problems described in this report are considered by the audit team to require action in
order to improve the safety of the scheme and minimise accident occurrence.
Recommendation
Leading ramped ends should be tapered away from the approach direction of traffic. Particular
attention should be paid to the leading ramped ends of safety fence at:
M99 northbound entry slip road;
M99 northbound entry slip road/ N99 eastbound approach to roundabout;
N99 eastbound entry to roundabout;
N99 northbound (3 locations);
N99 southbound.
Recommendation
The need for safety fence should be considered at the following locations:
The north side of the N99/M99 northbound link (drainage ditch and culvert 4);
The inside of the M99 exit slip road loop (balancing pond and pylons);
The south side of the N99 northbound east of Marsh Lane track (brook running alongside road);
Recommendation
New Road Layout Ahead and/or New Roundabout Signs should be provided on all approaches
except the M99 exit slip road.
Recommendation
Whilst at this stage, with earthworks underway, it may not be possible to amend the design,
consideration should be given to the provision of a constant radius over a greater length.
Recommendation
Consideration should be given to block paved chevrons on the central island to increase roundabout
conspicuity. Central island chevrons should be mounted on breakable posts, or erected as in Diagram
515.1A. Consideration should be given to yellow borders to the signs. Consideration should be given
to the angle of the sign facing the N99 eastbound entry, to the length, height and position of the sign
facing Warren Road, and to the position of the sign facing the M99 entry slip road, in order to ensure
optimum sign face conspicuity for approach traffic. Antiskid surfacing should be provided on the
approaches.
Recommendation
A junction warning sign should be provided in advance of the Marsh Lane track/ Pipers Lane
junction and a STOP sign should be provided at the junction.
Recommendation
The gully should be sited away from the footway crossing.
Recommendation
The speed limit boundary should be sited south of the crossing point.
We certify that we have examined the drawings and other information listed in Appendix 1. This
examination has been carried out with the sole purpose of identifying any features of the design that
could be removed or modified to improve the safety of the scheme. The problems that we have
identified have been noted in the report, together with suggestions for improvement which we
recommend should be studied for implementation.
date.............................................
date.............................................
APPENDIX 1:
01300/D11 Rev A
01300/D12 Rev B
01300/D13 Rev C
Audit Stage: 2
APPENDIX D:
Application for Approval of Road Safety Audit Team
Name of Scheme / Development: _________________________________________________
Stage of Road Safety Audit: __________ (If NRA scheme) NRA Project Ref No.: __________
(If NRA scheme) Is scheme Traditional Contract / D&B / PPP / ECI? Delete as applicable
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Name
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Please submit completed form to; NRA Road Safety Section or email to roadsafetyaudits@nra.ie
APPENDIX G:
Road Safety Audit Exception Report Decision Form
Scheme: __________________________________________________ Route No. ____________