The aim of this project was to develop an assessment framework to help road agencies methodically consider Safe System objectives in road infrastructure projects. The Safe System approach involves different elements of the system working together to help eliminate death and serious injury. It involves shared responsibility in reaching this objective, including road users and road managers each taking a role. A key objective for road managers is to ensure that when driver errors do occur, they do not result in high severity outcomes. The framework will be useful in assessing how closely road design and operation align with the Safe System objectives, and in clarifying which elements need to be modified to achieve closer alignment with Safe System objectives. Inputs to the development of the framework involved a review of literature (including an assessment of previous attempts at developing such a framework), contact with local and international Safe System experts, inputs from a national workshop involving road safety infrastructure experts, and workshops with the project working group including trials of the proposed framework. This report provides a summary of the development of the framework. The approach captured within the framework involves identifying the key crash types that result in death and serious injury, and using a risk assessment approach, identifying elements that might contribute to severe outcomes. These key crash types include run-off-road, head-on, intersection, other (including rear end) and vulnerable road user (pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist) crashes. The risk elements considered include road user exposure to risk (e.g. traffic volumes), likelihood of a crash, and the likely severity outcome in the event of a crash. The framework includes all ‘pillars’ of the system, including an assessment of issues relating to the road and travel speeds. It also ensures consideration of other pillars which are typically included less often in infrastructure projects. These include road user issues and vehicle-related issues. Post crash care is also considered. A treatment hierarchy is presented highlighting examples of Safe System solutions addressing each of the key crash problem types. Case studies are also provided illustrating how the framework might be applied. (Author/publisher)
Abstract