Appendix KRoad Safety Checklist K.1 Introduction

To encourage road safety, checklists have been provided in this section which can be utilised at various stages of project life cycle.

Table K.1: Road Safety Checklists

Source: Manual on Road Safety Audit, IRC: SP: 88-2010, Page 67

1. What is the category of road for which the feasibility study has been carried out e.g., Expressway, National Highway, State Highway or Other Roads?

2. Is the road intended to carry high-speed traffic or serve local access needs only?

3. What kind of traffic is likely ranging from high speed mixed traffic or for more general use, including bicycles and significant pedestrian traffic?

4. Do the chosen type of road and the standards, alignment and cross-section offer optimum road safety to all groups of road user including disabled in combination with the expected traffic density and speeds?

5. Does the project follow existing roads or is it a 'green field project' and what are the effects of this?

6. Check whether appropriate design standards have been used having regard to the scope of the project, and its function in relation to the traffic mix.

7. Check the appropriateness of the designs for the design volume and traffic characteristics.

8. Has access control been proposed?

9. Will the proposed scheme be compatible with the standard of conjoining road sections?

10. Will there be sufficient opportunities for overtaking?

11. Are the number and distribution of intersections appropriate in relation to:

a. The desired function of the new road?

b. Impact on the surrounding, adjacent and/or off-loaded road network (does the project simply move present problems)?

c. Accessibility for public transport and emergency vehicles?

12. Are junction types shown the safest available at each location, in relation to the expected turning volumes?

13. Are the proposed horizontal and vertical alignments consistent with visibility requirements both along the road and junctions?

14. Has lighting been planned? If so, does the lighting offer maximum safety, both on links and at junctions?

15. Will the project have any effect on existing pedestrian and cycle routes?

16. Does the project include measures for vulnerable road-users and if so, do these measures offer maximum safety?

17. Do the available accident data for the existing/adjacent road network give reason to expect particular road safety problems in the proposed project?

18. Whether non-motorised traffic is expected to cause problems?

19. What is the likelihood of future widening?

20. Do the gradients, curves and general design approach fit in with the class of terrain and likely weather or environmental aspects?

21. Check any special events creating unusual or hazardous conditions and any other matter, which may have a bearing on safety.

22. Other checks pertinent to the project at discretion of auditor or client.

1. Have all recommendations from the previous stage been followed? If not, why not?

2. Is the desired speed compatible with the cross-section and other design elements and is the desired speed realistic?

3. Cross-section:

a. Has delineation of the carriageway with a kerb been proposed?

b. Is there adequate space for all groups of road users?

c. Is there appropriate separation between various groups of road users?

4. Horizontal and Vertical alignment and visibility:

a. Does the proposed alignment satisfy any demands on visibility at junctions and sight distances on free sections?

b. Will sight distances/visibility be blocked by traffic signs, guardrails, bridge parapets, buildings, rigid obstacles or plantations (now and in the future)

c Can parts of the project constitute a risk, especially in combination (e.g. peaks in the vertical alignment plus sharp horizontal bends, crests of hills plus traffic signals)?

5. Are the lane widths, shoulders, medians and other cross-section features in accordance with standard design and adequate for the function of the road?

6. Check whether there are undesirable variations in cross-section design. Check cross-falls, which could affect safety, particularly where sections of existing highway have been utilized, or where there have been compromises to accommodate access to abutting properties.

7. Check the safety aspects of shoulder provision, including the provision of paved and earthen shoulders, the width and treatment on embankments and cross-fall of shoulders? Are the shoulders likely to be used by slow-moving vehicles or cyclists?

8. Check for the provision of climbing lanes in hilly sections where vertical gradients are steep for considerable length of the highway?

9. Junctions, interchanges and their design:

a. Will road users coming from all directions (including side roads) be able to see that they are approaching a conflict area? Are give-way lines, stop lines, turning lanes and ramps clearly visible?

b. Are existing conjoining and intersecting roads appropriately adjusted and matched to the new road (without sharp bends and gradients)?

c. Do the routes of road users through the junction seem clear for all directions and manoeuvres?

d. Is there sufficient space for all types of vehicles to undertake all manoeuvres?

e. Are the crossing facilities for pedestrians and non-motorised traffic adequate and safe?

f. Can parking cause problems?

g. Have roundabouts been considered?

(In urban areas, ghost markings and left-turning lanes with islands are safest; they prevent overtaking and assist pedestrians and cyclists who are crossing the road.)

10. Decide whether or not old, unremoved section of road can give undesired optical directions.

11. Special points at roundabouts:

a. Are all entrance lanes curved and is speed adequately reduced?

b. Will the central island be visible?

c. Are the measures taken for the benefit of pedestrians from a safe stopping distance and cycle traffic adequate?

12. At the junction/transition to existing roads (especially from multi-lane to two-lane, dual to single carriageway):

a. Are there sudden changes of alignment?

b. Does the road standard change too rapidly, or can road users clearly see and recognize the transition in good time?

c Would a roundabout be able to mitigate any sudden changes in standards and alignment?

13. Are existing junctions and intersections adjusted and matched to the new road appropriately (without sharp bends and gradients)?

14. Are there any constructions that will be difficult to drain and are the cross-fall and any gutter gradient adequate at the critical spots?

15. Are there places where there is a risk of flooding?

16. Will overtaking be prevented at critical places (not simply by restrictions, but also by making it quite apparent that overtaking is prohibited)?

17. If signs and road markings have been proposed:

a. Are the markings consistent and are they adequate?

b. Has the quantity of information been kept at a reasonable level?

18. If markings have not been proposed: will special markings be necessary?

19. Is there any risk that cannot be "marked out of existence"?

20. Will there be any large sign constructions? If so; will guardrails or breakaway safety devices protect them?

21. Has it been proposed that lighting be located on the outside or inside of bends?

22. Will it be possible to carry out maintenance work (on lighting, gantries, plantations, etc.) safely and without using the carriageway or cycle path?

23. Is the landscaping design or plantation likely to lead to a lowering of safety with mature or seasonal growth? Is frangible vegetation appropriate?

24. Are there arrangements for safe access by emergency vehicles? Check the design of medians and barriers, and the ability of emergency vehicles to stop without necessarily disrupting traffic?

25. Pedestrians

a. Have pedestrian needs been considered?

b. If footpaths are not specifically provided, is the road layout safe for use by pedestrians, particularly at blind corners and on bridges?

c. Are pedestrian subways or footbridges sited to provide maximum use?

d. Is the avoidance of footbridges or subways possible by crossing the road at grade?

e. Has specific provision been made for pedestrian crossings, school crossings or pedestrian signals?

f. Are pedestrian refuges/kerb extensions needed?

g. Whether needs of disabled road users taken care of?

26. Have the needs of public transport users been considered? Are bus stops positioned for safety?

27. Is lighting envisaged in specified locations of the project? Are the difficulties of illuminating sections of the road caused by trees or over bridges, for example? Are there any aspects of the provision of the lighting poles, which would require consideration from the safety point of view in their being struck by vehicles?

28. Is adequate safe access to the work site available?

29. Are there any factors requiring specific road safety provision, including maintenance?

30. Are there any traffic management features, which would require special attention during construction or during the transition from construction to full operation?

31. Other checks made at discretion of auditor or client.

1. Have all recommendations from the previous stage been followed? If not, reasons thereof?

2. Visibility, sight distance

a. Are horizontal and vertical alignments consistent with the required visibility requirements?

b. Confirm whether the standard adopted for provision of visibility in the design is appropriate for the ruling design speed and for any unusual traffic mix.

c Check whether sight lines are obstructed by:

i. Safety fences

ii. Boundary fences

iii. Street furniture

iv. Parking facilities

v. Signs

vi. Landscaping

vii. Bridge abutments

d. Check whether railway crossings, bridges and other hazards are conspicuous.

e. Will sight lines to be obstructed by temporary features such as parked vehicles in lay-byes or parked or queued traffic has been taken care of?

3. Check whether the design standards are appropriate for all the new requirements of the proposed project and check for consistency of general standards and guidelines such as lane widths, camber and cross-fall.

4 Cross-sections:

a. Are cross-falls appropriate?

b. Is there a suitable gutter gradient or is the carriageway laid at a suitable height above the shoulder?

5 Lighting columns, traffic signals, sign standards, etcetera:

a. Have requirements on safe distances to carriageway and cycle path been observed?

b. Have breakaway safety devices or such like been proposed?

6 Signs and markings:

a. Are markings consistent along the entire road section?

b. Is the information clear?

c. Are there enough signs?

d. Are there too many signs?

e. Will signs mask each other or traffic signals (be sure to include all plans for signs and markings in your assessment)?

f. Are the signs correctly positioned, without obstructing sight distances/visibility in anyway?

7 Are the proposed types of kerb stone/edge marking appropriate?

8 Lighting:

a. Is there any risk that the lighting can be optically misleading and will it have any detrimental effects on traffic signals and signs?

b. Are there any unlit areas that could conceal hazards?

c. Will an illuminated side road mislead road users on the planned, unlit road?

d. Are all pedestrian crossings illuminated (not merely the formally marked crossings, but also unmarked places where pedestrians could be expected to cross)?

e. Will powerful illumination of adjoining areas or strongly illuminated advertisements cause problems?

a. Will road users coming from all directions (including side roads) be able to see that they are approaching a conflict area? Are give-way lines, stop lines, turning lanes and ramps clearly visible?

b. Are existing conjoining and intersecting roads appropriately adjusted and matched to the new road (without sharp bends and gradients)?

c. Do the routes of road users through the junction seem clear for all directions and manoeuvres?

d. Is there sufficient space for all types of vehicles to undertake all manoeuvres?

e. Are the crossing facilities for pedestrians and non-motorised traffic adequate and safe?

f. Can parking cause problems?

g. Have roundabouts been considered?

(In urban areas, ghost markings and left-turning lanes with islands are safest; they prevent overtaking and assist pedestrians and cyclists who are crossing the road.)

10. Decide whether or not old, unremoved section of road can give undesired optical directions.

11. Special points at roundabouts:

a. Are all entrance lanes curved and is speed adequately reduced?

b. Will the central island be visible?

c. Are the measures taken for the benefit of pedestrians from safe stopping distance and cycle traffic adequate?

12. At the junction/transition to existing roads (especially from multi-lane to two-lane, dual to single carriageway):

a. Are there sudden changes of alignment?

b. Does the road standard change too rapidly, or can road users clearly see and recognise the transition in good time?

c. Would a roundabout be able to mitigate any sudden changes in standards and alignment?

13. Are existing junctions and intersections adjusted and matched to the new road appropriately (without sharp bends and gradients)?

14 Guardrails, hedges and railings:

a. Are all vulnerable areas protected?

b. Are bridge pillars, steel posts and trees etc., protected by guardrails where necessary?

c. Are there places where hedges are necessary to prevent pedestrians from crossing?

d. Are the chosen hedges/guardrails "light" enough?

e. Does guardrails/road side furniture have any hazardous sharp protruding edges?

a. Has a porous type of surface been chosen?

b. Will an exceptionally high-friction surface be necessary in especially exposed places?

c. Would a change of surface as a purely visual signal to road users be of benefit? Used in this way, could a change of surface be misunderstood by road users?

16. At junction/transition to existing road network (especially from multi-lane to two-lane, end of central reserve)

a. Is there sufficient advance warning?

b. Are reflector posts correctly positioned?

c. Are ghost markings appropriate in connection with the merging of two lanes?

d. Is there continuity of edge markings?

17. For two-lane sections prepared for expansion to four lanes with central reserve (e.g. expressways built as "semi-motorways"):

a. Will road users be clear everywhere that they are not on a one-way, two-lane carriageway?

b. Should night illumination of signs be of extra high standard?

c. Is overtaking prevented at all points where prevention is necessary?

d. Should special measures be adopted at bridges built with a view to future expansion?

18. Examine adjoining areas for potential safety problems (airfield, signals for maritime traffic and railways, flying golf balls etc.).

19. Additional temporary signs will be necessary for most new constructions. In this context consider:

Is the text, etc. comprehensible and correct?

b. Have all signs etc., been positioned safely?

c. When will they be removed?

(Be sure also to use the separate checklists for specific facilities and measures.)

20 Landscaping:

a. Is there advertising conflict between landscaping and visibility requirements? Has ultimate growth height been considered and potential obstructions to pedestrian visibility and potential for trees to become collision objects?

b. Will maintenance of soft landscaping be safe?

21 Plantations:

a. Will plantations obscure visibility and has a maximum height been specified?

b. Are plantations likely to encroach on markings or lighting?

c. Will fully-grown trees constitute a hazard (have the requirements on distances to rigid obstacles be observed)?

d. Can maintenance be carried out safely?

a. Are there any lay-byes available in the section?

b. Is the bye properly located and it is not inconvenient to the drivers to stop the vehicles?

c. Is there any need to modify the lay-bye design (if yes, suggest the parameters that need modification)?

d. Are advance warning signs and markings properly guiding the driver about the lay-bye?

e. Is there any need of any additional signs and markings?

23. Check provision for pedestrians to cross safely at intersections, signalised and pedestrian crossings, refuges, kerb extensions and at other locations.

24. Are median barriers necessary and have they been properly detailed? Are there any design features such as end conditions which require special attention?

25. Are there any poles located adjacent to moving traffic which could be sited elsewhere?

26. Have frangible or breakaway poles been detailed?

27. Is the unprotected median width adequate to accommodate lighting poles?

28. Are there any obstructions, which are likely to create a safety hazard and can they be mitigated or relocated?

29. Is a crash barrier provided wherever necessary and is it properly detailed?

30. Check whether access to structures and road furniture is safe. Check that the road or utilities in the road reserve can be maintained safely. Both road users and maintenance personnel should be considered.

31. Check that the requirements for the traffic management of the construction site and safety measures needed for workers and road users have been adequately spelled out from the safety point of view including the transition from the existing arrangements to the construction site and from the construction site to the final layout can be effected safely.

32. Check for the arrangement for temporary and permanent traffic control devices, including possible signals, temporary diversion etc.

33. Check that the design duly considers the needs of persons with disabilities.

34. Other checks made at discretion of auditor or client.

1. Have all recommendations from the previous stage been followed? If not, why not?

2. Whether information regarding the construction zone approaching has been provided well in advance or not?

3. Whether standard procedure and contract conditions provided for proper management of the construction site and road users are properly and safely accommodated?

4. Whether the transitions from the existing road to the site of works safely and clearly laid out?

5. Whether the width of the lanes is satisfactory for the traffic passing through the works area?

6. Whether sight and stopping distances adequate at site of works and at intersections?

7. Whether bus stops appropriately located with adequate clearance from the traffic lane for safety and visibility.

8. Whether appropriate street lighting or other delineation provided at the road works to ensure that the site is safe at night? Check the night time visibility of traffic control devices.

9. Check for proper education and training programme for site operators and managers, which would assist in creating and maintaining safer environment for construction workers and road users.

10. For clear and sufficient information to the road user, advance warning signs installed or not?

11. Is there any provision of marked lanes for safe and clearly guiding road users?

12. Whether suitable measures provided through construction zones to control driver behaviour?

13. Check for the adequacy of traffic control devices (such as signs, markings, cones, drums, delineators, barricades, flashing lights etc.) required for each zone i.e., at advance warning zone, at approach transition zone and at work zone? Check for placement and visibility of these control devices.

14. Has permission been taken while changing the standard layouts from safety point of view?

15. Whether police and other emergency services been consulted?

16. Check for proper care and attention for pedestrian and non-motorised traffic at construction sites.

17. Check for adequate safety provisions for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

18. Whether construction workers provided with protective clothing etc. reflecting jackets, hard hats, gloves etc.?

19. Whether flagmen are available on duty at the appropriate places? Check for proper traffic management practice to avoid inhibiting traffic to pass clear of work site and necessary attention to roadside safety.

20. Whether the temporary diversion is provided at work zones in compliance with the contract and traffic management plan approved by the Engineer.

21. Whether the Traffic Management Plan at work site prepared and submitted by the Contractor to the Engineer for approval.

22. Is the Supervision Engineer ensuring the required quality of traffic management plan?

23. Whether arrangements of First Aid Box and other emergency care exist for persons getting injured.

24. Whether suitable speed reducing measures are provided at work zones.

25. Other checks made at discretion of auditor or client.

1. Have all recommendations from the previous stages been followed? If not, why not? (Involve the site engineer)

2. Test the installations of traffic control devices as a road user: by car, by truck, by bus, by cycle and on foot - from disabled road user angle. Also in the dark/ night hours.

3. Examine the carriageway for defects, especially at junctions to existing roads.

4. Has the opening of the road facility been adequately publicized?

5. How will the transition phase proceed?

6. Check that provision for emergency vehicle access and stopping is safe?

7. Check that all delineators and pavement markings are correctly in place.

8. Check that all signs and other traffic control devices are correctly in place. Check that they are likely to remain visible at all times.

9. Check that the road markings as installed have sufficient contrast with the surfacing and are clear of debris.

10. Check that all lighting operating is effective from safety point of view.

11. Check that no roadside hazard has been installed or overlooked.

12. Check that the form and function of the road and its traffic management are easily recognised under likely operating conditions.

13. Check that all temporary arrangements, signing, etcetera have been removed and replaced by permanent arrangements.

14. Other checks made at discretion of auditor or client.

1. Carryout inspection - do not forget to take the results of accidents analysis and relevant checklists with you.

2. Does the actual function of the road correspond to its intended function?

3. Are the prevailing speed levels within desirable limits?

4. Do the equipment and standard of the road correspond to its function, speed level and classification? (Use checklist 2 and 3, as well as any specific checklists, which are relevant.)

5. Do road users park in ways that could constitute hazards?

6. Do plantations obscure visibility or the view of signs?

7. Are the surface and carriageway markings in good condition?

8. Are there any signs that road users drive over islands or kerbs or that the routes taken by motorists through junctions and bends are less than ideal?

9. Are there signs of other conflict situations and minor accidents?

10. Are the specified distances to rigid obstacles maintained for all groups of road users?

11. Are medians and islands of adequate width for the likely users?

12. Are there signs of pedestrian traffic in places that seem hazardous to pedestrians?

13. Does there appear to be a need for more or better crossing facilities for pedestrians?

14. Does there appear to be a need for more or better facilities for cyclists?

15. Has due consideration been given to children, the elderly, persons with disabilities?

16. Are bus stops and bus bays safely located with adequate visibility and clearance to the traffic lane?

17. Any provisions for parking satisfactory in relation to traffic operations and safety?

18. Are all locations free of construction or maintenance equipment, and any signing or temporary traffic control devices that are no longer required?

19. Are overtaking opportunities available for heavy vehicles where volumes are high?

20. Are the road boundaries free of any activities that are likely to distract drivers?

21. Is the location of rest areas and truck parking areas along the route appropriate and adequate?

22. Is sufficient warning provided in advance of breaks in service roads and openings in medians for traffic using multilane highway?

23. Are there reasonable traffic calming measures in place for the road stretches passing through habitations and built up areas?

24. Other checks made at discretion of auditor or client.

K.8

CHECKLIST 7 - Planning

1. Is there a development plan or development strategy for the area and, if so, does the project conform to this?

2. Is the proposed design appropriate in relation to the forecast traffic volumes, traffic characteristics and the adjoining land use?

3. Does the route fit in with the physical constraints imposed by the topography? Does the route serve major generators of traffic in a safe and adequate manner?

4. Is the frequency of junctions and their type appropriate for the function of the road and its design speed?

5. Does the project road fit in well with the existing road network? (Check for potential problems at the connections - will changes in traffic volumes cause problems)

6. Does the project road relieve routes or sites with bad accident records? Does it have any harmfu effects on safety on the surrounding road network?

1. Is the proposed design speed appropriate to the function of the road, the mix of traffic likely to use it, and the road environment? (Check whether different sections need different design speeds?).

2. If the speed is not up to the mark of design speed, whether proper cautionary sign have been provided?

3. Does the alignment (horizontal and vertical) give sufficient forward visibility for the selected design speed? (Check for inadequate stopping sight distances)

4. Check for consistency throughout the route; note any location where alignment standard changes abruptly and is not as would be expected by drivers.

5. Do the horizontal and vertical alignments fit together comfortably? (Check for bad combinations, such as a sharp bend immediately after a summit curve, and sag curve within a bend).

6. Does the alignment provide safe overtaking opportunities? Does it avoid creating situations where the forward visibility is marginal for overtaking (neither clearly adequate nor inadequate)?

7. Does the treatment at curves, proposed if any, make appropriate, adequate and safe provision for transition curves, super elevation and carriageway and formation widening?

8. Does the vertical alignment pose excessive demands on the power of heavy vehicles? Has it been designed so those maximum grades are interspersed with recovery grades? Are there passing places to enable faster vehicles to overtake slow-moving heavy vehicles?

9. Is the transition between project road and the existing road(s) i.e., access roads handled safely?

1. Are the widths of the carriageway, shoulders, medians (if any), service roads in accordance with standards and adequate for the function of the road and volume and the mix of traffic likely to use it?

2. Check whether bridges have footpaths and they have proper gradients/crash barriers.

3. Note any location where the cross-section standard changes abruptly along the route or is otherwise inconsistent with driver expectations.

4. Identify any locations where the capacity of the roadway is restricted and note locations of regular traffic congestion.

5. Have the shoulders and side slopes been designed to a safe standard and note any locations with inadequate shoulder width?

6. Have the side drains been designed to a safe standard? Are the batter slopes and drains safe for runoff vehicles to traverse?

7. Is the transition between the project road and the existing road(s) handled safely? (Check for major changes in standards).

8. Check whether the cross-section has adequate provision for the Vulnerable Road Users including persons with disabilities:

a. Pedestrians: Have paved footpath, adequate refuge width on median and proper ramps, up and down kerbs, where there is regular pedestrian traffic?

b. Bicyclists: Segregated areas (e.g. paved shoulders) where numbers are significant.

K.11 CHECKLIST 10 - Junctions

1. Is the general layout of junction caters safely for all road users including disabled road users? (Check whether there are other junctions too close to it. Check whether approaching drivers will get a clear view of it. Check with respect to pedestrians, cyclists and two wheelers etc.)

2. The type of junction (T-type, staggered, signal controlled, roundabout) suitable for the function of the two or more roads, the traffic volume, the traffic movements (pedestrians and vehicular) and the site constraints? Is it safest alternative?

3. Is the layout of the junction adequate for all permitted vehicular movements and for all types of vehicles?

4. Will the general type of junction, its layout and the priority rules be recognised by approaching drivers well in time? Is the route through junction as simple and clear as possible? (Check for unusual or overcomplicated layouts? Check that signages and marking are correct and clear?)

5. Does the layout encourage slow controlled speeds at and on the approach to stop/ give way lines and other critical decision points? (Check for Y and skew junctions, which can be a problem. Also roundabout with inadequate deflection?)

6. Are the sight lines at and on the approach to stop/give way lines and other critical decision points adequate and unobstructed? (Check for Y and skew junction, which can be problem. Check signs, lighting columns, pedestrian guardrails etc.?)

7. Is there adequate provision for channelising the different streams of traffic? (Check the provision for right turn lanes, deceleration lanes and acceleration lanes?)

8. Is adequate provision made for pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles?

9. Is the provision of night time lighting adequate, if not what the deficiencies are?

10. Are junction(s) at that stretch having proper markings, signs and studs to avoid accidents?