1. Road Safety Audits The Norwegian experience CEDR- 7th meeting Copenhagen - april 6th, 2005 Richard Muskaug- Directorate of Public Roads

2. Guidelines Handbook 222 Road Safety Audits of roads & traffic schemes –Published in 1999 –Same principles as UK, Australia, Denmark etc –Only pre-opening stages –Includes: formal process, steps to follow, checklists NPRA traffic safety report for audits on existing roads –Fewer new roads –Emphasis on existing roads –Published in 2000

3. Evaluations Evaluation of process: –Due to low no. of plans audited –Focus on internal process –Personal interviews – owners & auditors –Conclusions such as: Not audited at right moment (decisions already taken) Lack of auditors Analysis of findings- existing roads –Focusing on safety deficiencies outside & inside built up areas –Typical safety problems connected to design features: Lamp posts Road barriers (guard rail endings) Junctions Private accesses Location of road equipment, signs etc. –Including experience gained from audits

4. Simplified method In process Limited resources, safety awareness & low-volume roads Search for efficiency Use of video recordings Excel-based reporting forms Deficiencies, cure & cost- “banks” Field inspection, only to identify deficiencies hidden in video and as a control of findings from video inspection

5. Thematic inspections Bicycle route inspections –Same principles as RSA –Focus on; safety, security & speed + visibility, alignment, surface, signing, marking Traffic sign renewal program –Method for deficiency identification, extended use of video recordings. –Standardized reporting system, –Checklists, examples of good practice

6. Education University – based –NTNU based course, 5 credits –Open to all students, consultants & government employees –One week of classes & project work –Computer based exam (12 hrs) Approval as RS auditor –Exam from NTNU (see above) –5 years of relevant experience within traffic planning, road safety, etc Additional requirement –1 audit every 24 months

7. In the future Guideline in process of revision New title: Road safety audits & inspections 3 parts –1. General Regulations (for owners & auditors) –2. Pre-opening stages= audits (for auditors) Procedures Checklists Good practice Report outline –3. Existing roads=inspections (for auditors) Traditional & Simplified methods Checklists Good practice Report outline