Road Safety Audits
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Executive SummaryA Road Safety Audit (RSA) is the formal safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent, multidisciplinary team. It qualitatively estimates and reports on potential road safety issues and identifies opportunities for improvements in safety for all road users. The FHWA works with State and local jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to integrate RSAs into the project development process for new roads and intersections, and also encourages RSAs on existing roads and intersections. The aim of an RSA is to answer the following questions:
Public agencies with a desire to improve the overall safety performance of roadways under their jurisdiction should be excited about the concept of RSAs. Road safety audits can be used in any phase of project development from planning and preliminary engineering, design and construction. RSAs can also be used on any sized project from minor intersection and roadway retrofits to mega-projects.
Most State DOTs have established traditional safety review processes. However, a road safety audit and a traditional safety review are different processes. It is important to understand the difference between the road safety reviews that are commonly performed and newer road safety audits. The main differences between the two are shown below: What is the difference between RSA and a Traditional Safety Review?
The site was developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
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Sample RSA DatabaseNEW Click for the sample RSA Datadase RSA NewsletterClick for the RSA Newletter Sample RSA PoliciesClick for the sample RSA Policies Sample RSA ReportsClick for the sample RSA Reports RSA Case StudiesClick for the new RSA Case Studies report Pedestrian RSA GuidelinesClick for the new Pedestrian RSA Guidelines and Prompt Lists RSA VideoClick for the FHWA RSA Video RSA BrochureClick for the FHWA RSA Brochure RSA GuidelinesClick for the FHWA RSA Guidelines. RSAs For SafetyTransportation professionals employ audits to scrutinize roadways for safety issues-and reduce crashes, injuries, fatalities, and costs in the process. Artice by Lousia Ward. RSA BrochureClick for a tri-fold brochure posted in PDF and HTML RSA Peer-to-Peer BrochureFHWA has a new peer-to-peer program for RSAs where you can receive on-site or over the phone assistance on an RSA from a peer for no charge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Viewpoints"We view the RSAs as a proactive low-cost approach to improve safety. The RSAs helped our engineering team develop a number of solutions incorporating measures that were not originally included in the projects. The very first audit conducted saved SCDOT thousands of dollars by correcting a design problem."
Terecia Wilson "The road safety audit process looks at the roadway from a purely technical safety viewpoint without outside influences. It is a valuable process that gives an unbiased view of safety issues with support from safety experts. These recommendations are helpful when working with others, such as political leaders." Ricky May "I believe that road safety audits are an excellent tool for evaluating and improving the safety of our highway system. In the projects we've done, we've seen the most benefit in doing an audit during conceptual and preliminary design, when any improvements can be incorporated into our project estimates and final design." Beth Wright |
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