Road Safety Audit Checklist

1. 1. Is sight distance adequate for the speed of traffic using the route?

2. 2. Is adequate sight distance provided for intersections and crossings (e.g., pedestrian, cyclist, cattle, railway)?

3. 3. Is adequate sight distance provided at all private driveways and property entrances?

1. 1. Is the horizontal and vertical alignment suitable for the (85th percentile) traffic speed?

2. 2. If not, are warning signs and advisory speed signs installed?

3. 3. Are the posted advisory speeds for curves appropriate?

1. 1. Is the speed limit compatible with the function, road geometry, land use, and sight distance?

1. 1. Are safe overtaking opportunities provided?

1. 1. Is the road free of elements that may cause confusion?

2. 2. Is the alignment of the roadway clearly defined?

3. 3. Has disused pavement (if any) been removed or treated?

4. 4. Have old pavement markings been removed properly?

5. 5. Do tree lines follow the road alignment?

6. 6. Does the line of street lights or the poles follow the road alignment?

7. 7. Is the road free of misleading curves or combinations of curves?

1. 1. Are medians and islands of adequate width for the likely users?

2. 2. Are traffic lane and carriageway widths adequate for the traffic volume and mix?

3. 3. Are bridge widths adequate?

1. 1. Are shoulders wide enough to allow drivers to regain control of errant vehicles?

2. 2. Are shoulders wide enough for broken-down or emergency vehicles to stop safely?

3. 3. Are shoulders sealed?

4. 4. Are shoulders trafficable for all vehicles and road users (i.e., are shoulders in good condition)?

5. 5. Is the transition from road to shoulder safe (no drop-offs)?

1. 1. Is appropriate superelevation provided on curves?

2. 2. Is any adverse crossfall safely managed (for cars, trucks, etc.)?

3. 3. Do crossfalls (carriageway and shoulder) provide adequate drainage?

1. 1. Are batter slopes traversable by cars and trucks that run off the road?

1. 1. Are roadside drains and culvert end walls traversable?

1. 1. Are starting and finishing tapers located and aligned correctly

2. 2. Is there sufficient sight distance to the end of the auxiliary lane?

1. 1. Are appropriate shoulder widths provided at merges?

2. 2. Have shoulder widths been maintained beside the auxiliary lane?

1. 1. Have all signs been installed in accordance with the appropriate guidelines?

2. 2. Are all signs conspicuous and clear?

3. 3. Does all line marking conform to these guidelines?

4. 4. Is there an advance warning of approaching auxiliary lanes?

1. 1. Have right turns from the through lane been avoided?

2. 2. Is there an advance warning of turn lanes?

1. 1. Are all intersections located safely with respect to the horizontal and vertical alignment?

2. 2. Where intersections occur at the end of high-speed environments (e.g., at approaches to towns), are there traffic control devices to alert drivers?

1. 1. Is the presence of each intersection obvious to all road users?

2. 2. Is the sight distance appropriate for all movements and all road users?

3. 3. Is there a stopping sight distance to the rear of any queue or slow-moving turning vehicles?

4. 4. Has the appropriate sight distance been provided for entering and leaving vehicles?

1. 1. Are pavement markings and intersection control signs satisfactory?

2. 2. Are vehicle paths through intersections delineated satisfactorily?

3. 3. Are all lanes properly marked (including any arrows)?

1. 1. Are all conflict points between vehicles safely managed?

2. 2. Is the intersection layout obvious to all road users?

3. 3. Is the alignment of curbs obvious and appropriate?

4. 4. Is the alignment of traffic islands obvious and appropriate?

5. 5. Is the alignment of medians obvious and appropriate?

6. 6. Can all likely vehicle types be accommodated?

7. 7. Are merge tapers long enough?

8. 8. Is the intersection free of capacity problems that may produce safety problems?

1. 1. Particularly at rural sites, are all intersections free of loose gravel?

1. 1. Has lighting been adequately provided where required?

2. 2. Is the road free of features that interrupt illumination (e.g., trees or overbridges)?

3. 3. Is the road free of lighting poles that are fixed roadside hazards?

4. 4. Are frangible or slip-base poles provided?

5. 5. If ambient lighting creates special lighting needs, have these been satisfied?

6. 6. Is the lighting scheme free of confusing or misleading effects on signals or signs?

7. 7. Is the scheme free of any lighting black patches?

1. 1. Are all necessary regulatory, warning, and direction signs in place? Are they conspicuous and clear?

2. 2. Are the correct signs used for each situation, and is each sign necessary?

3. 3. Are all signs effective for all likely conditions (e.g., day, night, rain, fog, rising or setting sun, oncoming headlights, poor lighting)?

4. 4. If restrictions apply for any class of vehicle, are drivers adequately advised?

5. 5. If restrictions apply for any class of vehicle, are drivers advised of alternative routes?

1. 1. In daylight and darkness, are signs satisfactory regarding: • Clarity of message? • Readability/legibility at the required distance?

2. 2. Is the sign retro-reflectivity or illumination satisfactory?

3. 3. Are signs able to be seen without being hidden by their background or adjacent distractions?

4. 4. Is driver confusion due to too many signs being avoided?

1. 1. Are sign supports out of the clear zone? If not, are they: • Frangible? • Shielded by barriers (e.g., guard fence, crash cushions)?

1. 1. Is the line marking and delineation appropriate for the function of the road?

2. 2. Is it consistent along the route?

3. 3. Is it likely to be effective under all expected conditions (day, night, wet, dry, fog, rising and setting sun position, oncoming headlights, etc.)?

4. 4. Is the pavement free of excessive markings (e.g., unnecessary turn arrows, unnecessary barrier lines, etc.)?

1. 1. Are centrelines, edge lines, and lane lines provided? If not, do drivers have adequate guidance?

2. 2. Have RRPMs been installed where required?

3. 3. If RRPMs are installed, are they correctly placed, correct colors, and in good condition?

4. 4. Are profiled (audible) edge lines provided where required?

5. 5. Is the line marking in good condition?

6. 6. Is there sufficient contrast between line marking and pavement color?

1. 1. Are guideposts appropriately installed?

2. 2. Are delineators clearly visible?

3. 3. Are the correct colors used for the delineators?

4. 4. Are the delineators on guard fences, crash barriers, and bridge railings consistent with those on guideposts?

1. 1. Are curve warning signs and advisory speed signs installed where required?

2. 2. Are advisory speed signs consistent along the route?

3. 3. Are the signs correctly located in relation to the curve? (i.e. not too far in advance)

4. 4. Are the signs large enough?

5. 5. Are chevron alignment markers (CAMs) installed where required?

6. 6. Is the positioning of CAMs satisfactory to provide guidance around the curve?

7. 7. Are the CAMs the correct size?

8. 8. Are CAMs confined to curves? (not used to delineate islands, etc)

1. 1. Is the clear zone width traversable? (i.e., drivable)

2. 2. Is the clear zone width free of rigid fixtures? (If not, can all these rigid fixtures be removed or shielded?)

3. 3. Are all power poles, trees, etc., at a safe distance from the traffic paths?

4. 4. Is the appropriate treatment or protection provided for any objects within the clear zone?

1. 1. Are crash barriers installed where necessary?

2. 2. Are crash barriers installed at all necessary locations in accordance with the relevant guidelines?

3. 3. Are the barrier systems suitable for the purpose?

4. 4. Are the crash barriers correctly installed?

5. 5. Is the length of the crash barrier at each installation adequate?

6. 6. Is the guard fence attached correctly to bridge railings?

7. 7. Is there sufficient width between the barrier and the edge line to contain a broken-down vehicle?

1. 1. Are end treatments constructed correctly?

2. 2. Is there a safe run-off area behind breakaway terminals?

1. 1. Are pedestrian fences frangible?

2. 2. Are vehicles safe from being speared by horizontal fence railings located within the clear zone?

1. 1. Is there adequate delineation and visibility of crash barriers and fences at night?

1. 1. Are traffic signals operating correctly?

2. 2. Are the number, location, and type of signal displays appropriate for the traffic mix and traffic environment?

3. 3. Where necessary, are there provisions for visually impaired pedestrians? (e.g., audio-tactile push buttons, tactile markings)

4. 4. Where necessary, are there provisions for elderly or disabled pedestrians? (e.g., extended green or clearance phase)

5. 5. Is the controller located in a safe position? (i.e., where it is unlikely to be hit, but maintenance access is safe)

6. 6. Is the condition (especially skid resistance) of the road surface on the approaches satisfactory?

1. 1. Are traffic signals clearly visible to approaching motorists?

2. 2. Is there adequate stopping sight distance to the ends of possible vehicle queues?

3. 3. Have any visibility problems that could be caused by the rising or setting sun been addressed?

4. 4. Are signal displays shielded so that they can be seen only by the motorists for whom they are intended?

5. 5. Where signal displays are not visible from an adequate distance, are signal warning signs and/or flashing lights installed?

6. 6. Where signals are mounted high for visibility over crests, is there adequate stopping sight distance to the ends of traffic queues?

7. 7. Is the primary signal free from obstructions on the nearside footway to approaching drivers? (trees, light poles, signs, bus stops, etc.)

1. 1. Are there appropriate travel paths and crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists?

2. 2. Is a safety fence installed where necessary to guide pedestrians and cyclists to crossings or overpasses?

3. 3. Is a safety barrier installed where necessary to separate vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist flows?

4. 4. Are pedestrian and bicycle facilities suitable for night use?

1. 1. Is there adequate separation distance between vehicular traffic and pedestrians on footways?

2. 2. Is there an adequate number of pedestrian crossings along the route?

3. 3. At crossing points, is fencing oriented so pedestrians face oncoming traffic?

4. 4. Is there adequate provision for the elderly, the disabled, children, wheelchairs, and baby carriages? (e.g., holding rails, curb and median crossings, ramps)

5. 5. Are adequate handrails provided where necessary? (e.g., on bridges, ramps)

6. 6. Is signing about pedestrians near schools adequate and effective?

7. 7. Is signing about pedestrians near any hospital adequate and effective?

8. 8. Is the distance from the stop line to a crosswalk sufficient for truck drivers to see pedestrians?

1. 1. Is the pavement width adequate for the number of cyclists using the route?

2. 2. Is the bicycle route continuous? (i.e., free of squeeze points or gaps)

3. 3. Are drainage pit grates bicycle safe?

1. 1. Are bus stops safely located with adequate visibility and clearance to the traffic lane?

2. 2. Are bus stops in rural areas signposted in advance?

3. 3. Are shelters and seats located safely to ensure that sight lines are not impeded? Is clearance to the road adequate?

4. 4. Is the height and shape of the curb at bus stops suitable for pedestrians and bus drivers?

1. 1. Are bridges and culverts the full formation width?

2. 2. Are bridge and culvert carriageway widths consistent with approach conditions?

3. 3. Is the approach alignment compatible with the 85th-percentile travel speed?

4. 4. Have warning signs been erected if either of the above two conditions (i.e., width and speed) are not met?

1. 1. Are there suitable traffic barriers on bridges and culverts and their approaches to protect errant vehicles?

2. 2. Is the connection between the barrier and the bridge safe?

3. 3. Is the bridge free of curbing that would reduce the effectiveness of barriers or rails?

1. 1. Are pedestrian facilities on the bridge appropriate and safe?

2. 2. Is fishing from the bridge prohibited? If not, has provision been made for safe fishing?

3. 3. Does delineation continue over the bridge?

1. 1. Is the condition of the pavement edges satisfactory?

2. 2. Is the transition from pavement to shoulder free of dangerous edge drop-offs?

3. 3. Is the pavement free of defects (e.g., excessive roughness, rutting, potholes, loose material, etc.) that could result in safety problems (e.g., loss of steering control)?

1. 1. Does the pavement appear to have adequate skid resistance, particularly on curves, steep grades, and approaches to intersections?

2. 2. Has skid resistance testing been carried out where necessary?

1. 1. Is the pavement free of areas where ponding or sheet flow of water could contribute to safety problems?

1. 1. Is the pavement free of loose stones and other materials?

1. 1. Are the provisions for, or restrictions on, parking satisfactory in relation to traffic safety?

2. 2. Is the frequency of parking turnover compatible with the safety of the route?

3. 3. Is there sufficient parking for delivery vehicles so that safety problems due to double parking do not occur?

4. 4. Are parking maneuvers along the route possible without causing safety problems? (e.g., angle parking)

5. 5. Is the sight distance at intersections and along the route unaffected by parked vehicles?

1. 1. Are overtaking opportunities available for heavy vehicles where volumes are high?

2. 2. Does the route generally cater to the size of vehicles likely to use it?

3. 3. Is there adequate maneuvering room for large vehicles along the route, at intersections, roundabouts, etc.?

4. 4. Is access to rest areas and truck parking areas adequate for the size of vehicle expected? (consider acceleration, deceleration, shoulder widths, etc.)

1. 1. Are shoulders sealed at bends to provide additional pavement for long vehicles?

2. 2. Is the pavement width adequate for heavy vehicles?

3. 3. In general, is the pavement quality sufficient for the safe travel of heavy and oversized vehicles?

4. 4. On truck routes, are reflective devices appropriate for truck drivers' eye heights?

1. 1. Are all sections of the route free from ponding or flowing across the road during wet weather?

2. 2. If there is ponding or flow across the road during wet weather, is there appropriate signposting?

3. 3. Are floodways and causeways correctly signposted?

1. 1. Are all culverts or drainage structures located outside the clear roadside recovery area?

2. 2. If not, are they shielded from the possibility of vehicle collision?

1. 1. Is landscaping in accordance with guidelines? (e.g., clearances, sight distance) Will existing clearances and sight distances be maintained following future plant growth?

2. 2. Does the landscaping at roundabouts avoid visibility problems?

1. 1. Are all locations free of construction or maintenance equipment that is no longer required?

2. 2. Are all locations free of signs or temporary traffic control devices that are no longer required?

1. 1. Have any problems that could be caused by headlight glare been addressed? (e.g., a two-way service road close to main traffic lanes, the use of glare fencing or screening)

1. 1. Are the road boundaries free of any activities that are likely to distract drivers?

2. 2. Are all advertising signs installed so that they do not constitute a hazard?

1. 1. Is the roadside furniture on the verges and footways free of damage from errant vehicles that could indicate a possible problem, hazard, or conflict at the site?

1. 1. Is the embankment stability safe?

2. 2. Is the route free of unsafe overhanging branches?

3. 3. Is the route free of visibility obstructions caused by long grass?

4. 4. Are any high-wind areas safely dealt with?

5. 5. If back-to-back median curbing is used, is it: • adequately delineated? • obvious where it starts? • obvious at intersections? • unlikely to be a hazard to pedestrians?

1. 1. Is the location of rest areas and truck parking areas along the route appropriate?

2. 2. Is there adequate sight distance to the exit and entry points from rest areas and truck parking areas at all times of the day?

1. 1. Is the route free from large numbers of animals? (e.g., cattle, sheep, kangaroos, koalas, wombats, etc.)

2. 2. If not, is it protected by animal-proof fencing?

1. 1. Have all other matters that may have a bearing on safety for heavy vehicles been addressed?