How Road Safety Audit England Is Conducted

By Paul Wilson


Auditing the safety of a road is a process that is performed independent of design and construction processes. This exercise is performed in different stages to ensure that each phase of the development of a highway adheres to standards set in the industry and delivers expected results. There stages of road safety audit England cut across design, construction and commencement of use.

At Stage 1, there is deeper evaluation of the design. This is done by experts who understand engineering and requirements in construction of roads. When the design is right, construction will meet the standards and be safe for users. If mistakes abound on the design phase, the complete project will also be troublesome. Experts will recommend modifications that could be driven by spotted mistakes or the need to achieve efficiency.

At evaluation, several factors are given attention. These factors include the quality of drainage during extreme weather conditions, how safe the accesses will be to every user, whether alignments are consistent with the visibility that was used, if right turn provisions have been made and whether sufficient provisions have been made for passengers and cyclists. The location of lighting columns is also assessed alongside markings and whether they are appropriate.

Stage 2 also assesses the design but goes to greater depth. The assessing team is concerned with the features on target highway and provisions made on designs used. The features of interest include carriage way markings, junctions and lighting. Highway layout captures the attention of assessing team throughout the process. At this stage, the entire team should make the trip to site. Their recommendations are important because they will inform modification of design.

Stage three takes place when improvement designs have been substantially made. In fact, at this stage, the highway is usually open to users. It is easier to assess some of the vital areas. Assessment takes place during the day and at night so that hazards can be identified in their exact nature. The maintaining agent is present alongside police and local authorities.

Stage 3 involves assessment of fidelity to the design proposed. There are dangers that are unforeseen that need rectification during construction. The team can also assess whether recommendations made during previous audits have been effected. The assessing team can tell the impact of recommendations they have made. Areas of concern include junctions, provision for non-motorized users, markings, signage, lighting and other customized elements of your carriage ways.

Stage 4 and the last one is continuous monitoring. The first year of usage is critical because errors with design can cause accidents. Keep track of the accidents that happened during the first year and their details so that remedial work can be done on affected sections. Collision monitoring is also done with details on the location and common factors in these accidents.

It is important to deal with professionals during this exercise. Their input helps you to make the right and broad viewed decision. Experienced professionals understand how roads are constructed. They will ensure that you get excellent value for money on your project and have a safe road in perpetuity.




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