Many Dutch road authorities have started categorising their road networks according to the principles and demands of a `sustainably safe' road and traffic system. This report contains a study of the experiences with the categorising, also related to the recommendations of the 1997 CROW `Handbook Categorisation roads on a concept of sustainable safety' (See ITRD E201229). The purpose of this study was to obtain a good picture of, among other things: (a) the criteria used; (b) the classification applied; (c) the procedure followed; and (d) the problems signalled. After an extensive inventory of categorising projects that have already been reported, a selection for the study was made of 21 of these projects. They were situated in four provinces, three Water Boards, and fourteen municipalities. The road authorities concerned were informed beforehand, and the results and experiences were registered, using a list of testing criteria. A great diversity within a large number of facets was observed. This applied to the approach, the participation involved, and the actual results. The variation in the classification of roads concerned, the categorisering applied, and chosen design of roads and intersections, appeared to be much larger than the `sustainably safe' approach regards as desirable. It also appeared that not all road authorities were prepared, or able, to choose the intensive approach that a `sustainably safe' categorising demands. It is recommended that the CROW Handbook be revised.
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