ROAD SAFETY AUDIT - STAGE 5

AUDIT OF EXISTING ROADS

Checklist AP N/A Comment

Vertical and Horizontal Alignment n

 General alignment standard
o Check for consistency throughout the
route, note any location where alignment
standard changes abruptly and is not as
expected by drivers
 Substandard curves
o Identify any curve with a speed value of
more than 10 kilometres (km)/hour(h)
below the 85th percentile approach speed;
note any evidence of vehicles running off
the roadway
 Inadequate sight distance
o Check and record any location with
Inadequate stopping sight distance.
o Check and record any location with
inadequate overtaking sight distance at
which "double lines" have been marked

Cross-Section
 Note any location where the cross-section
standard changes abruptly along the route, or is
otherwise inconsistent with driver expectations
 Identify any locations where the capacity of the
roadway is restricted
 Note locations of regular traffic congestion
  Note any absence of provisions protecting
"turning vehicles" at intersections
 Note any location with inadequate shoulder
width and check that the correct type of kerb
has been used
 Check that the cross-section provides adequately
for "vulnerable road users"
o Pedestrians-have paved footpaths,
adequate refuge width on median and
islands, and proper ramps up and down

kerbs, where there is regular pedestrian
traffic. 
o Bicyclists-segregated areas (e.g., paved
shoulders) where numbers are significant
 Lack of access control - Identify any location
where the cross section does not allow the
development of appropriate access control
Intersections
 Sight distances
o Check that the sight distances are
appropriate for speed limits
o Approach (stopping) sight distance
o Safe intersection sight distance

General Layout Features

Check
 That the general layout of the intersection caters
safety for all road users including pedestrians,
bicycles and motorcycles
 That the layout is logical for various traffic
movements, that it correctly favours the
 Major traffic movement.
 For any lack of auxiliary (turning) lanes
 For any discontinuity of "through" traffic lanes
 For the occurrence of "trap" lanes, i.e., where a
"through" lane is suddenly marked, or aligned,
as a lane for traffic turning off a roadway.
 For operational problems at roundabouts, e.g.,
inadequate deflection (and speed reduction) of
traffic at entry point, high vehicle speeds within
the roundabout, inadequate width of entry or
circulating roadway, etc.
 For situations where channelization islands are
too small to be easily seen by drivers, or for
pedestrian refuge or for protecting traffic signs,
signals, and other road furniture
Traffic signing
General Aspects
Check
 For cases of unauthorized traffic signs and use of
non-standard signs (colour and shape)
 The location and spacing of signs are
appropriately done: that is, they are placed at the
required locations
 That traffic signs are clearly visible and are
prominently displayed to the intended road
Users.
 For instances where the legibility of the
information on traffic signs is inadequate,
bearing in mind the speed of vehicles and
The amount of information displayed.
 For instances where signs contain too much
 information to be capable of being read by
drivers travelling at normal operating speed
 The effectiveness of traffic signs by observing
them at night and identifying any lack of
reflectorization.
 The type of signposts used where sign posts
constitute a fixed roadside hazard or where the
use of frangible signposts should be considered.
 For case where there is a lack of (vertical)
clearance to traffic signs
 For situations where traffic signs themselves are
obstructing essential “lines of sight” for drivers
and pedestrians.
Regulatory and Warning Signs
Check
 That the appropriate regulatory signs are
Provided where necessary.
 That warning signs have been used only where
they are warranted
Guide and Direction Signs
Check
 That guide and direction signing has been done
to meet the needs of unfamiliar drivers.
 That all important intersections are provided
with the following as found necessary
o Advance direction signs
o Intersection direction signs
o Reassurance (distance) signs
 That these signs are correctly positioned to allow
the required action to be taken by the intended
drivers.
  For instances of poor legibility and poor
arrangement of information on signs.
Pavement Marking
Check
 The general adequacy and visibility of pavement
marking, both at night and in wet weather.
 That the correct type of line marking has been
used in the various situations, e.g., “continuity
lines” at merge and diverge sections, “double
(barrier) lines” where overtaking is to be
prohibited, etc.
 For any deficiency in the delineation of merge
and diverge areas, including situations where
through traffic may inadvertently lead into
auxiliary and turn lanes.
 For locations where there is a lack of “hazard
marking” at approach ends of islands and
medians, etc.
 For locations where auxiliary “turn lanes” have
been designated with appropriate pavement
arrows and locations where the wrong type of
arrow has been used.
 For locations where pavement arrows and other
markings are confusing to drivers, particularly
where “old incorrect” markings have not been
properly removed
 The effectiveness of road markings at night and
in wet weather, consider the need for retro-
reflective pavement markers or road studs to
supplement line and hazard markings; identify
inadequate provision of these devices and in the
 use of non-standard arrangements of them.

Road side Safety and Landscaping

Check
 The “clear zone width” generally available along
both sides of the road, and comment on this
aspect in the RSA report.
 The “fixed roadside object” that occur within the
“clear zone width” and comment on the need to
treat them in the interests of road safety.
 The provision of guardrail along the road,
consider whether it is really justified and identify
locations where it is not justified and locations
where it has not been provided where it is
warranted.
 That the correct treatment has been applied to
the ends of guardrail sections, including “soft”
end treatments and end anchorage
 For the adequacy of “bridge railing” systems on
all bridges. Take particular note of inadequate
railings that will not restrain an impacting
vehicle-this is often the case with bridges.
 The treatment of “approach guardrail” to
bridges; record situation, where there is no
“strong” anchorage of the approach guardrail to
the bridge railing system and/or no proper
transition of the rigidity of flexible or semi rigid
approach guardrail as it approaches and meets
the rigid bridge railing
 The extent to which trees and other vegetation
obstruct driver and pedestrian sight lines, which
 are essential for safe traffic operation
 The existence of poles of various kinds along the
road and comment on whether some or many
can be removed, relocated to less hazardous
positions
 The degree of hazard associated with large trees,
boulders, etc. and whether these can be treated to
improve roadside safety.
General Traffic Management Items
Check
 The degree of safety afforded to pedestrians,
particularly school children, and record
instances where there is a need for special
provisions to be made.
 The adequacy and credibility of existing speed
limits and comment if they are not appropriate
to the traffic situation and the nature of
abutting development or are otherwise
unrealistic in the view of most motorists
 The effectiveness of speed limit signing:
consider the need for more prominent signing
of the start of “restricted” speed zones and for
“reminder signs” within the speed zone,
particularly near intersections where large
numbers of vehicles enter the road in question
from side roads.
 Substandard curves and low speed curved
sections of the road; consider the need for
“positive” advice to motorists about the safe
travel speed and consider the need for “advisory
curve speed” signing.
  The need at substandard curves, for other
delineation improvements such as the provision
of “guidepost” delineation, and the use of retro-
reflective road studs.
 The degree of safety afforded to all road users
in town centres, particularly where highways
pass through shopping centres or near schools,
record the need for “traffic calming” techniques
to improve safety in these sensitive locations.
 The availability of overtaking opportunities
along the route as a whole and comment on the
need of specific “overtaking lanes” at regular
intervals along two-lane undivided roads,
particularly where traffic flows are high in hilly
terrain.
 Consider the need for rest areas and other
roadside stopping places, e.g., truck stops,
scenic viewpoints, wayside picnic areas, etc.,
and note any current “unofficial” places where
vehicles stop and the degree of hazard that this
involves.
 The existence of roadside stalls and other
roadside business activities within the “right of
way” of the road; comment on the relative
safety of these and the possible need for formal
parking arrangements and other regulatory
controls.
 For any special problems and requirements that
may be necessary to improve safety during
“festive season” and holiday periods, when
traffic demands are heavy and most drivers are
relatively unfamiliar with the road.