Road Safety Appraisal Process

The appraisal process follows the steps shown on the flow chart (Figure 3.1 in the Road Safety Audit Manual) on the next page, making appropriate adjustments for the site-specific conditions as required by the special case of an existing road.

• The audit brief and the provision of background information shall be similar to the road safety audit process with certain additional requirements:

• • Analysing existing crash data to identify possible clusters of crashes and over- exposure of specific types of crashes and the comparison with control data, if possible. (The appraisal team leader may decide not to assess the crash data prior to a site inspection, to reduce possible bias towards existing crash locations);

  • Assessment of risks in terms of the risk assessment process described in section

3.10.2 pertaining to specific concerns, whereby the appraisal team would make a qualitative judgement of the importance of remedial measures for specific concerns;

• Site inspections would have as important a role in preparing possible remedial measures, if not more so than in the case of design projects because junction layout information would not be readily available, for example. In particular both day and night-time site visits shall be conducted. (It should be noted be noted that Google Earth Street View™ photographs are not a substitute for a site inspection.); and

• Identification of road safety concerns should be done for all issues, irrespective of the fact that the origin may be routine maintenance related; Routine maintenance related concerns should be combined and reported separately in the road safety appraisal report.