Road Safety Audits (RSA)

Road Safety Audit Peer-to-Peer Program

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SUCCESS STORY

New Hampshire utilized the Road Safety Audit Peer to Peer (RSA P2P) Program to obtain assistance for an audit in August 2007. The P2P process began when an LTAP representative contacted a P2P coordinator through the program’s toll free phone number to request assistance. Once the details of the audit were determined, the coordinator canvassed the P2P database and matched a Peer with appropriate expertise with the agency. The Peer then initiated direct communication with the agency to begin offering assistance. After the Peer discussed the RSA details with New Hampshire, it was decided that onsite support would be of significant value to the agency. The P2P coordinator arranged for the Peer’s travel and all travel expenses were paid for by FHWA.

Once onsite, the Peer first shared presentations of how his own agency put together a safety audit program. The presentations included some overview information along with the various departments / agencies that audit team members come from. The Peer also provided a presentation that summarized an audit project before, during and after construction.

The Peer then helped facilitate the field audit. The field review was conducted at the study area in the morning and the team reconvened after lunch to discuss the location, propose solutions and develop the FHWA Safety Audit Report. The report identified safety issues identified by the team and proposed recommendations for reducing or eliminating the safety risks. The audit included a review of factors such as road alignment, visibility, signing and marking, lighting, and human factors. To improve safety the team recommended measures such as widening the roadway’s shoulders, removing trees, adding supplemental plaques to warning signs, replacing guardrails and installing lighting. The audit report summarized all of the team’s findings along with rankings for each safety risk to assist with prioritizing the implementation of recommendations.

The New Hampshire case is just one example of how transportation agencies can utilize the RSA P2P program to assist with their audit programs. Peers are always available to provide guidance through phone and email communication, and when necessary travel to provide onsite support during an agency’s first RSA. To contact the RSA P2P coordinator, call toll free at (866) 727-3492, send an email to safetyp2p@dot.gov or send a fax to (877) 663-2263.