Road safety audits of road schemes nationwide, as undertaken by local authorities and consultants are reviewed and current safety audit procedures are summarised to highlight "best practice" aiding the revision of The Institution of Highways and Transportation's Guidelines. Information was provided by questionnaires and interviews with auditors, in-house guidelines and checklists. Information on the organisation and procedures for carrying out safety audits and the effects of these audits has been analysed. Issues highlighted include the most beneficial allocation of resources, the timing of audits and the training required. Indications are given of the required size and make-up of audit teams and the number of hours needed to undertake different stages of audit for different scheme types and sizes. Additional redesign time and extra construction costs that ensue from safety audits are estimated. Suggestions are made of features that could be incorporated in any revision and certain issues requiring clarification are identified.
Abstract