Road Safety Audits: An Overview 2015 Team Conference Henry Brown, P.E. Research Engineer University of Missouri March 11,

Acknowledgements Craig Allred (FHWA) John Miller (MoDOT) Dana Ternus (NW Missouri Regional Council of Governments) Charlie Nemmers, Carlos Sun, and Praveen Edara (University of Missouri) 2

Presentation Outline Overview of RSAs Procedures for RSAs RSA Case Studies 3

Basic Concepts What is a road safety audit? Why do we need RSAs? When do we conduct RSAs? 4

What is an RSA? Formal safety performance examination Existing or Future Road Segment or Intersection Independent, multidisciplinary team 5

A road safety audit also… considers the safety of all road users considers interactions at the borders or limits of the project examines the interaction of project elements may proactively consider mitigation measures 6

… a simple standards check for adherence to design guidelines. … an opportunity to redesign the project. A road safety audit is NOT… 7

Why do we need RSA? Road Environment Factors (28%) Vehicle Factors (8%) Human Factors (95%) 4% 24% 67% 4% TYPICAL REPORTED CRASH CAUSES 8

Why do we need RSAs? Relatively few road-related safety issues are identified in collision reports. Road designs need to anticipate and accommodate common driver errors. Easier to design and build safer roads than to modify some entrenched driver behaviors. 9

Reduce the number and severity of crashes Promote awareness of safe practices Process to identify and address problems Considers human factors and multimodal issues Low cost RSA Benefits 10

When do we conduct RSAs? pre-construction: – planning / feasibility – preliminary (draft) design – detailed design construction: – work zones – pre-opening post-construction/operational: – existing roads 11

When do we conduct RSAs? 12

The Eight Step RSA Process Procedures 13

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Field reviews 5 Analysis & Report 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 14

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 1 Identify project 1 Identify project 15

Step 1 Step 1 In-service projectDesign stage project Step 1: Identify the Project 16

High-crash sites High-profile sites Changed traffic characteristics Step 1 Step 1 Candidates for In-service RSAs 17

Make structural changes on paper instead of in concrete. Optimize crash and conflict prevention. RSAs: Design Stage Step 1 Step 1 18

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 2 Select RSA team 2 Select RSA team 19

Independent Experienced Multi-disciplinary Step 2 Step 2 Select RSA Team 20

Operations Step 2 Step 2 Geometric Road users/human factors Select the RSA Team: Core Skills 21

Interdisciplinary RSA Team: Composition and Size local agency staff exchange staff from another local agency consultants combination of above Step 2 Step 2 22

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 3 Start-up meeting 3 Start-up meeting 23

Crash history Traffic volumes Aerial photographs Design drawings Background reports Design criteria Step 3 Step 3 The Start-up Meeting: Provide Project Information 24

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 4 Field reviews 4 Field reviews 25

Review available crash data Arrange transportation Designate a secretary and photographer Step 4 Step 4 Perform Field Review: Preparation for the Field Review 26

Step 4 Step 4 Perform Field Review: Common Items to Look For Sight distance obstructions Pedestrian and cyclist conflicts Visual clutter 27

Step 4 Step 4 Perform Field Review: Common Items to Look For Roadside Hazards Driveway Issues 28

 Peak and off-peak traffic periods  Dry and wet weather conditions  Day and night conditions Step 4 Step 4 Perform Field Review: Variable Conditions to Observe 29

Perform Field Review: Identify Safety Issues Safety analysis considers three elements concurrently: geometry operations user characteristics and interactions Step 4 Step 4 30

Identify Safety Issues: Geometry Use of design standards and guidelines: a sound starting point cumulative effect of minimum/ maximum values supplement with human factors analysis and project-specific concerns (such as maintenance concerns) Step 4 Step 4 31

curve radius sight distance + curve + gradient hazard in clear zone Identify Safety Issues: Geometry Step 4 Step 4 32

Identify Safety Issues: Operations congestion and delay signal operation operating speeds turning movements queueing driveways Step 4 Step 4 33

34 Identify Safety Issues: User Characteristics and Interactions school buses farm vehicles trucks cyclists school children driver age Step 4 Step 4

Step 4 Step 4 Perform Field Review: Checklists and prompt lists: may provide structure to the site visit remind the team what to look for, and help ensure that nothing is missed 35

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 5 Analysis & Report 5 Analysis & Report 36

Prioritize Safety Issues may be based on crash frequency and severity: crash history (audits of existing roads) expected crashes (design stage audits) – qualitative estimate of risk – quantitative estimate of risk Step 5 Step 5 37

Short term solutions include: maintenance, vegetation, changing signage or pavement markings, Enforcement & Education Long term solutions include: flattening a curve or modifying a roadway’s vertical alignment, Enforcement & Education Step 5 Step 5 Mitigate Safety Concerns: Suggestions Appropriate to Project Stage 38

Early design stage: alignment changes Later design stage: signing improvements Step 5 Step 5 Mitigate Safety Concerns: Design-Stage 39

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Roundabouts 41

Roundabouts “If the politicians really go ahead with this, they’ll pay at the ballot box,” driver Turner Lane warned. “What goes around comes around.” (Winnipeg Sun: April 1, 2013) 42

Short Range Paint, Signage Mid-Range Contour Bank Long-Range Realign Skewed Intersection Step 5 Step 5 Suggested Countermeasures 43

 Summarizes the project  Identifies team  Documents site visits  Documents results  Identifies and prioritizes safety concerns  May include suggestions for improvements Step 5 Step 5 The RSA Findings: Formal Report 44

Step 5 Step 5 The RSA Findings: Formal Report 45

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 6 Present findings 6 Present findings 46

Discussion of safety concerns Clarify findings and suggestions Assist project owner in making best choices Step 6 Step 6 The RSA Findings Presentation 47

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 7 Prepare response 7 Prepare response 48

Inadequate Response “We will not realign the intersection at Jefferson Road. We do not feel that it is needed.” Step 7 Step 7 Responses 49

1 Identify project 2 Select RSA team 3 Start-up meeting 4 Perform field reviews under various conditions 5 Conduct audit analysis and prepare report of findings 6 Present findings 7 Prepare response 8 Implement findings Responsibilities RSA Team Design Team / Project Owner 8 Implement findings 8 Implement findings 50

Implementation - may depend on policy, manpower, and/or funding. Step 8 Step 8 Step 8: Implementation of Improvements 51

Pre-construction RSAs: Changes to design drawings Post-construction RSAs : Incorporate improvements in operating budgets or maintenance programs Step 8 Step 8 Implementation of Improvements 52

Examples: What to Look For 53

Sight Distance SR42 Before 54

Sight Distance SR42 Before 55

Sight Distance SR42 After 56

Sight Distance SR56 Before 57

Sight Distance SR56 After 58

Sight Distance 59

Sight Distance 60

Roadside Safety 61

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Photos: Craig Allred (FHWA) 68

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75 Pavement Considerations

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77 Drainage

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Pavement Markings and Signs 79

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BEFORE AFTER 87

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Signalization 90

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Operations 92

Pedestrians 93

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RSA Case Studies 95

Case Study 1: US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue, Chillicothe, Missouri Chillicothe 96

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: Overview 97

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: RSA Team Mo-Kan Regional Council MoDOT City of Chillicothe Green Hills RPC Delaware Valley RPC Chillicothe Police Department Missouri Highway Patrol Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments 98

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: Statistics 21 Reported Crashes Fatalities AADT – US 36: 4,300 vpd – Mitchell Ave.: 1,000 vpd Speed Limit – US 36: 65 mph – Mitchell Ave.: 35 mph 99

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: Sight Distance 100

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: Signs 101

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: Operations 102

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: Suggested Improvements Increase Size of Essential Signs Relocate Industrial Park Sign Paint Yield Line, Stop Bar, Turn Arrows Increase Lighting Add Intersection Ahead Signs Reconfigure Intersection Extend Turn Lanes Re-route Truck Traffic to US 65 Interchange 103

US 36 at S. Mitchell Avenue: Suggested Pavement Markings 104

Case Study 2: Bullhead Parkway, Bullhead City, Arizona miles 4-lane divided highway AADT 10,000 to 15,000 vpd 50 mph speed limit 17 intersections (4 signalized) (FHWA 2012)

Bullhead Parkway RSA: Examples of Implemented Countermeasures 106 Update Pavement Markings Install RPMs on Inside Edge Lines and Lane Lines Extend Right Turn Lanes Install Two-Direction Arrow Signs at T-Intersections Install Guardrail for Embankments Improve Grading at Median Drainage Structures (FHWA 2012)

Bullhead Parkway RSA: Crash Reductions 107 (FHWA 2012) 54% Total Crashes 50% Injury Crashes 30% Intersection- Related Crashes

Case Study 3: Work Zone RSA I-275 Tampa, Florida 108 Two Interchanges Positive Elements – Good delineation – Signal Backplates – Repeat Exit Notification Suggestions – Adding Signing – Crosswalks – Align Signal Heads – Signal Timing (FHWA 2013)

Case Study 4: Design Visualization Burma Road, Rhode Island 109 New Corridor Used 3D Model Recommended Roundabout Over Signalized Intersection Other Suggestions – Lighting – Large turn radius for trucks – Extend left turn lanes (FHWA 2011)

Case Study 5: Safe Routes to School Albany, Georgia 110 Suggestions – Sidewalks around school grounds – Upgrade signs and markings – H.A.W.K. Signal (FHWA 2010 & 2011, National Center for Safe Routes to School, 2008)

Additional Resources NCHRP Synthesis 336: Road Safety Audits (TRB) Road Safety Audit Guidelines (FHWA) FHWA Website: Bicycle Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists (FHWA) RSA Newsletter (FHWA) 111

Questions? E2509 Lafferre Hall Columbia, MO