Recently the issue of roading reform has been receiving some attention in New Zealand. Feedback on a number of consultative documents addressing this subject indicates a general acceptance that a Safety Management System (SMS) approach would be the most appropriate way to ensure any future provider of public roads delivered an appropriate level of safety on their roading network. This paper outlines the general features of a SMS before examining the implications of the accident prevention/accident reduction split for the development of a SMS regime. The paper then proposes a SMS model for road service providers noting that the providers are required to develop the system indicating the "standards expertise" and a road safety strategy to be applied to their roading network. The system also requires the providers to develop and utilise a management system and independent internal audit regime aimed at ensuring compliance with the SMS. The approval and evaluation procedures are then outlined before the paper concludes by discussing some issues requiring resolution before a SMS regime can be implemented. (A)
Abstract