The paper deals with road safety inspection (RSI) and gives examples and experiences with this instrument in European states where RSIs have been undertaken for several years. In the countries investigated, RSI is considered an instrument to improve the infrastructure safety on the existing road network. Although definitions (what RSI actually is or ought to be) and methodology differ, this approach forms a mutual basis for further work atan international level. In Task 5.2 of the Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP) RIPCORD-ISEREST, a common understanding between the participating states was developed according to which, RSI inspects and remedies safety deficits in locations without a past record of high accident numbers and should be carried out periodically on the whole road network. The purpose of RSI is to improve traffic safety standards on existing roads by identifying and weeding out hazardous conditions, faults and deficiencies along roads that can lead to fatal and/or serious accidents. This is mainly done using well-established experience and knowledge of safe road design, road environment and traffic operation as well as knowledge about the effect of traffic safety measures. As mentioned above, the current practice of RSI differs in many respects between different European countries. Hence, there is a need for identifying best practice, or at least good practice with respect to road safety inspections. A set of guidelines for best practice with respect to road safety inspections is proposed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.
Abstract