SUBJECT NAME : Road Safety Engineering

SUBJECT CODE : BCV755A

DEPARTMENT : CIVIL ENGINEERING

Prepared by:
Dr. Vijay B G
Associate Professor & Head
Department of Civil Engineering
SSSE, Tumakuru
 Introduction to Road Safety Management
Definition:
Road Safety Management involves systematic approaches to
identify, analyze, and mitigate road safety risks to reduce accidents
and fatalities.
Objectives:
• Reduce crash frequency and severity.
• Improve safety for all road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists).
• Integrate safety at all stages of road planning, design,
operation, and maintenance.
 Road Safety Audit (RSA)
 Definition:
A Road Safety Audit is a formal, independent, and systematic examination of a road or
traffic project—by an experienced team—focusing on safety issues for all road users.
Purpose:
To identify potential safety problems and propose measures to eliminate or mitigate
them before accidents occur.
 Benefits of Road Safety Audits:
• Early identification of risks before construction
• Cost-effective way to reduce future accidents
• Enhances accountability and transparency
• Improves design quality and public confidence
• Promotes a safety culture within road agencies
Reference:
IRC: SP:88-2019 — Manual on Road Safety Audit
IRC: 36 — Highway Safety Code
MoRTH Road Safety Audit Guidelines (India)
iRAP Road Safety Assessment Methodology
Audit Team Composition:
• Team Leader – Certified road safety auditor
• Road Engineer / Highway Designer
Prepared by:
• Traffic Engineer Dr. Vijay B G
Associate Professor & Head
• Accident Data Analyst
Department of Civil Engineering
• Human Factors / Behavioral Expert (optional) SSSE, Tumakuru
Key Elements Assessed in an RSA:
1. Road geometry: alignment, cross-sections, gradients, sight
distances.
2. Intersections: layout, control, channelization.
3. Roadside environment: obstacles, clear zones, guardrails.
4. Traffic signs and pavement markings.
5. Lighting and visibility.
6. Pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
7. Drainage and pavement surface condition.
8. Speed management and enforcement aspects.
 Tools and Techniques for Safety Management:
A. Crash Data Analysis Tools:
Black Spot Identification – Based on frequency and severity of crashes.
Accident Prediction Models (APM) – Estimate crash risk using statistical
models.
Software Tools:
iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme)
HDM-4 (Highway Development and Management Model)
SMIS (Safety Management Information System)
Crash Analysis Tools (e.g., CRASH, MAAP, PBCAT)
 Tools and Techniques for Safety Management:
B. Road Safety Inspection (RSI):
• Regular review of existing roads to detect hazardous
conditions.
• Conducted by trained inspectors.
• Often combined with maintenance schedules.
C. Road Safety Impact Assessment (RSIA):
• Carried out during the planning stage of major road projects.
• Assesses the likely effects of a project on the overall safety of
the network.
 Tools and Techniques for Safety Management:
D. Network Safety Management (NSM):
• Focuses on system-wide safety performance.
• Uses crash rate analysis, safety ranking of road sections, and
prioritization of safety investments.

Prepared by:
Dr. Vijay B G
Associate Professor & Head
Department of Civil Engineering
SSSE, Tumakuru
 Stages of road safety audit:
A. Feasibility / Planning Stage
• Review project concept, traffic studies, land use.
• Identify major risks: access issues, alignment, junction needs,
vulnerable road users.
• Provide early safety recommendations before design begins.
B. Preliminary Design Stage
• Check horizontal/vertical alignment, cross-sections, junction layout.
• Ensure consistency, visibility, overtaking sight distance, pedestrian
facilities.
 Stages of road safety audit:
C. Detailed Design Stage
• Examine drawings in detail: signs, markings, lighting, barriers,
intersections, drainage.
• Check compliance with standards (IRC codes).
• Ensure safety for all road users.
D. Construction Stage
• Audit site during construction.
• Temporary traffic arrangements, barricading, signage, worker safety.
• Ensure hazards are minimised for workers + motorists.
 Stages of road safety audit:
E. Pre-opening / Post-construction Stage
• Site visit before opening to traffic.
• Check geometrics, signals, markings, safety furniture, night visibility.
F. Existing Road / In-service Safety Audit
• Conducted on roads already in use.
• Analyse crash data, speed behaviour, black spots, road user conflicts.
• Recommend safety treatments.
 Road Safety Audit Process:
Step 1: Select an Independent Audit Team
• Should not be involved in design.
• Comprises: Team Leader, highway engineer, traffic engineer, road safety expert.
Step 2: Project Briefing
• Client/engineer provides all project details:
Drawings, reports, cross sections
Crash data (if existing road)
Traffic volumes
Problem locations
Step 3: Data Review
• Audit team studies documents.
• Reviews geometrics, traffic characteristics, environment, vulnerable users
 Road Safety Audit Process:
Step 4: Site Inspection
• Conducted during day + night.
• Observe:
Sight distance
Roadside hazards
Markings, signs
Speed patterns
Pedestrian movements
Lighting
Conflict points
Step 5: Identify Safety Issues
• Typical issues:
• Sharp curves, inadequate sight distance
• Poor shoulder conditions
• Missing signs/markings
• High-speed conflict points Prepared by:
Dr. Vijay B G
• Encroachments
Associate Professor & Head
• Poor drainage Department of Civil Engineering
• Non-standard median openings SSSE, Tumakuru
 Road Safety Audit Process:
Step 6: Provide Recommendations
• For each issue, recommend practical treatments:
Warning signs
Speed calming
Improved junction geometry
Guardrails
Pedestrian refuges, crossings
Lighting improvements
Step 7: Prepare Audit Report
• Report generally includes:
Executive summary
Project details
Audit team details
Observations with photos
Possible impact of safety issues
Corrective measures