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GG 119 - Road Safety Audit in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
Road safety is a critical aspect of highway design and infrastructure development. To ensure the highest safety standards, the UK follows a structured Road Safety Audit (RSA) process as outlined in GG 119—a document published by Highways England. This audit provides an independent review of highway schemes to identify potential road safety concerns before they become hazardous to users. In this article, we will explore the key elements of GG 119, its stages, requirements, and processes in detail.
What is GG 119 Road Safety Audit?
GG 119 is the official guideline for conducting road safety audits on UK highways, including motorways and trunk roads. The objective is to assess and mitigate risks associated with highway designs before and after construction.
The RSA process under GG 119 is not a technical compliance check but rather a proactive approach to identify and address potential road safety hazards.
Key Objectives of Road Safety Audit
- Identify safety concerns in new and existing highway schemes.
- Mitigate risks that could lead to accidents or fatalities.
- Provide independent recommendations to improve road user safety.
- Ensure compliance with road safety engineering best practices.
- Enhance long-term highway performance by reducing collision risks.
Applicability of GG 119
The GG 119 guidelines apply to all trunk roads, motorways, and major highway projects in the UK. It also extends to projects under the Trans-European Road Network (TERN) as per EU Directive 2008/96/EC.
Projects Requiring an RSA
- New road schemes
- Junction improvements
- Traffic signal installations
- Road widening projects
- Pedestrian crossings and cycling infrastructure improvements
Road Safety Audit Stages Under GG 119
GG 119 defines four key stages for conducting a Road Safety Audit:
Stage 1: Completion of Preliminary Design
- Conducted before land acquisition or planning approvals.
- Focuses on design-related safety concerns such as visibility, lane widths, and pedestrian crossings.
- Helps in modifying the design to ensure maximum safety.
Stage 2: Completion of Detailed Design
- Conducted before construction begins.
- Examines detailed design elements like signage, road markings, and junction layouts.
- Identifies issues that might not have been apparent at Stage 1.
Stage 3: Completion of Construction
- Conducted before opening the road to traffic.
- Ensures that all design recommendations have been properly implemented.
- Identifies any last-minute safety concerns such as obstructed sightlines, unclear road markings, or misplaced signage.
Stage 4: Post-Opening Monitoring
- Conducted 12 months after the road is operational.
- Analyzes real-world traffic and collision data to detect safety issues that emerged post-construction.
- Final recommendations are provided based on actual road user behavior.
The Road Safety Audit Team
An RSA must be conducted by an independent team that is not involved in the project's design, construction, or management. The audit team consists of:
- Team Leader – An experienced road safety auditor approved by the Overseeing Organisation.
- Team Member – A qualified road safety professional assisting the leader.
- Observer (Optional) – A trainee or specialist gaining experience in road safety auditing.
- Specialist Advisors (As Needed) – Experts in areas like traffic signals, pedestrian safety, and cycling infrastructure.
The Road Safety Audit Process
- Preparation of the RSA Brief – A document outlining project details, objectives, traffic data, and design plans.
- Site Visit – The audit team inspects the site in different lighting and weather conditions.
- Identification of Road Safety Issues – The team notes any design elements that could lead to crashes.
- Recommendations for Mitigation – The team proposes design modifications to address identified issues.
- Submission of RSA Report – The final report is sent to the overseeing organization.
- Designer's Response Report – The project team reviews the audit findings and responds with corrective actions.
Why is GG 119 Important?
- Reduces Road Accidents – By proactively identifying safety risks.
- Ensures Compliance – Helps meet UK and EU safety regulations.
- Improves Cost Efficiency – Fixing safety issues during design is cheaper than post-construction modifications.
- Enhances Public Confidence – Safer roads lead to greater trust in infrastructure projects.
Conclusion
The GG 119 Road Safety Audit is a crucial component of highway planning and development in the UK. By conducting structured safety assessments at different project stages, RSA ensures that roads are safe, efficient, and user-friendly. Compliance with GG 119 guidelines not only enhances road safety but also contributes to long-term infrastructure sustainability.
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