What is a Road Safety Audit? A Guide for Developers
If your development involves changes to the public highway, you may be told that a Road Safety Audit (RSA) is required.
For many developers, this raises several questions.
What exactly is a Road Safety Audit? Who carries it out? Does it mean the design is unsafe? Will it delay my project?
The good news is that a Road Safety Audit is a routine part of many highway schemes. Its purpose is to identify potential road safety issues before a scheme is constructed, helping to reduce the likelihood of accidents once the development is complete.
This guide explains what a Road Safety Audit is, when it may be required and what developers should expect.
What is a Road Safety Audit?
A Road Safety Audit is an independent review of proposed highway works that considers whether a scheme could introduce road safety problems for any road user.
The audit examines how the proposed design may affect:
Drivers.
Pedestrians.
Cyclists.
Motorcyclists.
Public transport users.
Horse riders, where appropriate.
Importantly, a Road Safety Audit is not a check that the design complies with highway standards. Instead, it focuses solely on identifying potential road safety concerns.
Why are Road Safety Audits carried out?
The aim of a Road Safety Audit is to identify road safety issues at an early stage, when they can usually be addressed more easily and at lower cost.
This helps create highway schemes that are safer for everyone using the road network.
Many Local Highway Authorities require Road Safety Audits where developments involve works to the public highway, new junctions, altered accesses or other significant changes to traffic movements.
When is a Road Safety Audit required?
Not every planning application requires a Road Safety Audit.
Whether one is needed depends on the nature of the proposed highway works and the requirements of the Local Highway Authority.
Road Safety Audits are commonly requested where developments include:
New site accesses.
New priority junctions.
Signal-controlled junctions.
Roundabouts.
Pedestrian crossings.
Highway widening.
Alterations to existing junction layouts.
Works delivered under a Section 278 Agreement.
Early discussions with the Highway Authority or your transport planning consultant will usually establish whether an audit is likely to be required.
What are the different audit stages?
Road Safety Audits are normally undertaken at several stages as a project progresses.
Stage 1
Carried out during the preliminary design stage.
The audit considers the proposed layout before detailed design work has been completed, allowing potential issues to be identified early.
Stage 2
Undertaken once the detailed design has been completed but before construction begins.
This review considers the more detailed design information that will be used for construction.
Stage 3
Completed shortly after the scheme has been constructed and opened to traffic.
The auditors visit the site to assess how the completed scheme is operating in practice.
Stage 4
Some Highway Authorities require a further review after the scheme has been in operation for a period of time, often using collision data to determine whether any unforeseen safety issues have arisen.
Not every project will require all four stages.
Who carries out the audit?
Road Safety Audits must be undertaken by suitably qualified auditors who are independent of the design team.
This independence is an important part of the process, ensuring that the design receives an objective review from experienced road safety professionals.
The transport consultant or highway designer responsible for preparing the scheme should not undertake the audit themselves.
What happens if the audit identifies problems?
It is perfectly normal for a Road Safety Audit to identify potential concerns.
These are recorded within an Audit Report together with recommendations for reducing or eliminating the identified risks.
The design team then considers each recommendation and prepares a formal response explaining how the issues will be addressed.
In some cases, the design is amended. In others, there may be valid engineering reasons why the original design is retained.
The objective is to ensure that any decisions are properly considered and documented.
Does a Road Safety Audit delay a project?
Not necessarily.
Where an audit is programmed into the project from the outset, it normally forms part of the overall design process and need not cause significant delays.
In fact, identifying potential issues early often avoids more costly changes later in the project.
Why early planning is important
If highway works are likely to require a Road Safety Audit, it is helpful to understand this at the beginning of the project.
This allows sufficient time for the audit process, any design revisions and discussions with the Local Highway Authority before construction is due to begin.
Early planning can reduce programme risks and help avoid unnecessary delays.
How DW Transportation can help
DW Transportation works with developers, architects and planning consultants to prepare highway designs that are suitable for Road Safety Audit.
We prepare Road Safety Audit briefs, coordinate with independent auditors, review audit findings and assist in responding to recommendations where required.
By considering road safety from the earliest stages of a project, we help clients reduce delays and deliver highway schemes that are both practical and safe.
Need advice?
If your development includes works to the public highway and you're unsure whether a Road Safety Audit will be required, we'd be happy to help.
Early advice can identify the likely audit requirements and ensure they are incorporated into your project programme from the outset.
Contact DW Transportation today for an informal discussion about your project.
About the Author
Dean Watkins is Director of DW Transportation, an independent transport planning consultancy based in South Wales. With over 25 years' experience in transport planning, Dean advises developers, architects and planning consultants on Transport Statements, Transport Assessments, highway design and Road Safety Audit coordination for developments across South Wales and the UK.