FHWA: Making Our Roads Safer One Countermeasure at a Time

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ provencountermeasures. CROSSCUTTING | PROVEN SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES While most transportation agencies have established traditional safety review procedures, a road safety audit (RSA) is unique. RSAs are performed by a multi-disciplinary team independent of the project. RSAs consider all road users, account for human factors and road user capabilities, are documented in a formal report, and require a formal response from the road owner. (See the eight steps for conducting an RSA below.) RSAs provide the following benefits: ƒ Reduced number and severity of crashes due to safer designs. ƒ Reduced costs resulting from early identification and mitigation of safety issues before projects are built. ƒ Improved awareness of safe design practices. ƒ Increased opportunities to integrate multimodal safety strategies and proven safety countermeasures. ƒ Expanded ability to consider human factors in all facets of design. RSAs can be performed in any phase of project development, from planning through construction. RSAs can also be conducted on any size project, from minor intersection and roadway retrofits to large-scale construction projects. Agencies are encouraged to conduct an RSA at the earliest stage possible, as all roadway design options and alternatives are being explored. CONDUCTING AN RSA Multi-disciplinary team performs field review during an RSA. Source: FHWA 19. Road Safety Audits A road safety audit is a proactive, formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent andmulti- disciplinary team. SAFETY BENEFIT: 10-60% Reduction in total crashes Source: Road Safety Audits: An Evaluation of RSA Programs and Projects , FHWA-SA-12-037; and FHWA Road Safety Audit Guidelines, FHWA-SA-06-06. Identify project Select RSA team Conduct start-up meeting Perform ÿeld reviews Conduct analysis and prepare report Present ÿndings to project owner Prepare formal response Incorporate ÿndings 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 Design Team/ Project Owner RSA Team