RS Audit and Hazardous Locations
Description
Road design should reduce the probability of accidents in advance, by means of the safe infrastructure design. Where accidents do occur, remedial engineering actions to the location should seek to eliminate the risk of serious injury. Thus, authorities should aim for a sustainable, safe traffic system which is characterized by:
- A structure that is adapted to the limitations of human capacity through proper design, and in which streets and roads have a neatly appointed function, as a result of which improper use is prevented
- Vehicles fitted with ways to simplify the driver’s tasks and constructed to protect the vulnerable human being as effectively as possible; and
- A road-user who is adequately educated, informed and, where necessary, guided and restricted
Road Safety Audits (RSAs) are a proactive approach to improving transportation safety. RASs are a formal road safety performance examination of an existing or future road or intersection by an independent audit team. It is a way for the government to improve safety and communicate to the public how your agency is proactively working toward accident reduction. Typically, the audit will focus on road hazard characteristics related to traffic signs, roadside features, environmental risk factors and road surface conditions. Thus, the objective of a road safety audit is to identify traffic hazards and suggest measures to correct the hazards in order to remove the risk and reduce accidents.
In Cambodia, the Roads Department of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) is primarily responsible for road safety audits and black spot improvement programmes. Rural roads are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Rural Development. In MPWT’s road transport policies the Royal Government of Cambodia commits to incorporating safe design in new roads, as well as in the rehabilitation schemes of existing roads. Currently, JICA is supporting the Roads Department to undertake a comprehensive study on black spots along 1st and 2nd digit roads. Development banks such as the Asia Development Bank and the World Bank are assisting the Royal Government of Cambodia to include road safety audits as part of their fundamental road planning and design.