Road Safety Audits (RSA)


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PennDOT Experience

  1. The findings of the audits identified safety improvements that exceeded those that could have been anticipated by just reviewing for standards compliance. Often, standards only set minimum criteria. By using the RSA process, safety for all road users was achieved.
  2. Additional improvements were identified and incorporated into the projects as a result of a formalized team review.
  3. The reports were circulated throughout the agency which led to similar situations being treated in a consistent manner. This "spill-over" into other projects led to additional safety enhancements.
  4. By raising safety concerns early in the process, they could be given full consideration before other constraints control project decisions.
  5. The interdisciplinary teams were able to cite concerns that were outside those normally considered in safety reviews.
  6. The quality of the field reviews was enhanced by the discipline of the RSA process and the interdisciplinary input.
  7. The structured nature of the process forced individuals to communicate with one another in a non-threatening environment.
  8. The RSA process, with its multiple stages, demonstrated how safety concerns could be addressed through all stages of designing a project.
  9. Team members learned from one another. They were aware of what the others were observing and how each team member was contributing to the process.
  10. Rather than being concerned that someone was looking over their shoulder, designers welcomed the input from others, which for the most part, confirmed their decisions and helped them on "sticky" issues.
  11. It was found that the RSA teams were viewed as a source of expert advice.
  12. Following the model of the Baldridge Quality Assessment process, the RSA assures that quality is maintained throughout the design process. For example, suggestions to "cut costs" may have severe safety implications that are minimized by using the RSA approach. A good example is in understanding the relationship between safety and the design of drainage features. Saving money on drainage structures can have significant safety implications.

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Program Contact

Becky Crowe
Program Manager

804-775-3381

Training
Eloisa Raynault
RSA Program Support

202-366-3499

Technical Assistance
K. Craig Allred
Transportation Specialist

720-963-3236

What's New

2009 RSA Video

Newsletter: Summer 2009, Volume 2, Number 1

Tribal RSA: Case Studies

Highlights

RSA Software

Sample RSA Database

Sample RSA Policies

Sample RSA Reports

RSA Case Studies

Pedestrian RSA Guidelines

RSA Video

RSA Brochure

RSA Guidelines

RSAs For Safety
Transportation professionals employ audits to scrutinize roadways for safety issues-and reduce crashes, injuries, fatalities, and costs in the process. Artice by Lousia Ward.

RSA Peer-to-Peer Brochure
FHWA has a new peer-to-peer program for RSAs where you can receive on-site or over the phone assistance on an RSA from a peer for no charge.