3-1 Lesson 3 | Basic RSA Principles

Define RSAs and explain how they contribute to road safety. Describe the composition and purpose of an RSA team. Identify the advantages of RSAs. 3-2 Learning Outcomes

Describe the difference between in-service RSAs and design-stage RSAs. Identify resources available to facilitate RSAs. 3-3 Learning Outcomes

Fill in the blanks: A formal _________________examination of an ________________ road or intersection by an ____________________RSA team. 3-4 Road Safety Audits/Assessments (RSAs)

3-5 RSAs What elements of the road may present a safety issue: to what extent, to which road users, and under what circumstances? What engineering, enforcement, and/or education solutions exist to eliminate or mitigate the identified safety issues, both in the short and long term?

“RSAs are a proven way to review just how safe our local roads are and can be a valuable tool for local government road professionals in making their roads safer.” Tony Giancola Former Executive Director, NACE 3-6 RSAs

Typically: Reactive in nature Not performed by a multi-disciplinary or independent safety review team Concentrate on motorized traffic only Do not consider human factors Do not include a formal report Do not require a formal response 3-7 Traditional Safety Reviews

Proactive approach Performed at any stage in a road’s lifecycle Independent, multidisciplinary team Look at ALL road users Consider 3 E’s (Engineering, Enforcement and Education) solutions Comprehensive step-by-step process – includes a formal report and project owner response Identify issues AND solutions 3-8 RSAs

RSAs performed before crashes (or more crashes) occur. 3-9

Design stage In-service 3-10

“I believe that [RSAs] are an excellent tool for evaluating and improving the safety of our highway system. In the projects we've done, we've seen the most benefit in doing an RSA during conceptual and preliminary design, when any improvements can be incorporated into our project estimates and final design.“ Beth Wright District Engineer Missouri DOT 3-11 RSAs: Design Stage

Make structural changes on paper instead of in concrete. Optimize crash and conflict prevention. 3-12

“We have implemented RSAs on proposed resurfacing projects. We now see our staff consistently looking for and implementing numerous low cost safety improvements on Iowa’s roads.” 3-13 Thomas Welch, P.E. Safety Consultant /Retired State Safety Engineer, Iowa DOT

Independence = A fresh, unbiased assessment 3-14 RSAs: The RSA Team

Multi-disciplinary: Design Operations Safety Human Factors Enforcement Maintenance Specialists 3-15 RSAs: The Team

RSA team prepares a formal, written report. Project owner prepares a formal, written response RSAs: The Report and Response

Ways to get RSA help: safety.fhwa.dot.gov/rsa On-line Peer-to-peer Publications Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) 3-17 RSAs: Available Resources

Define RSAs and explain how they contribute to road safety. Describe the composition and purpose of an RSA team. Identify the advantages of RSAs Review: Learning Outcomes

Describe the difference between in-service RSAs and design-stage RSAs. Identify resources available to facilitate RSAs. Review: Learning Outcomes 3-19

3-20 Road Safety Questions?