SHC 603 – Road Safety in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Framework for Safer Roads

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In a world increasingly reliant on efficient and safe transportation networks, Saudi Arabia has taken a decisive step forward with SHC 603, a dedicated volume in the Saudi Highway Code that outlines requirements and procedures for enhancing road safety. SHC 603 isn't just a guideline—it's a strategic roadmap to significantly reduce road crashes, improve safety infrastructure, and create a unified framework across the Kingdom.

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Why SHC 603 is Crucial for Saudi Arabia

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With rapid infrastructure development under Vision 2030, ensuring the safety of road users has become a national priority. SHC 603 serves this goal by offering:

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• Standardized safety audit procedures
• Guidelines for crash data analysis
• Road inventory and traffic volume tracking
• Provisions for managing tunnel safety and hazardous transport

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It’s a clear shift from reactive to proactive road safety management.

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Chapter Highlights from SHC 603

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1. Crash Data Collection and Analysis

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Accurate crash data is the cornerstone of effective road safety planning. SHC 603 specifies the need for:

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• Crash location, time, and severity documentation
• Vehicle and occupant information
• Roadway and environmental factors

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The code aligns with Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) to ensure consistency across agencies in Saudi Arabia.

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2. Roadway and Traffic Data Inventory

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To support predictive crash analysis, SHC 603 prescribes:

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• Road classification, lanes, median type, traffic volume
• Junction geometry and traffic control
• ADT (Average Daily Traffic) and AADT (Annual Average Daily Traffic)

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This comprehensive data model enables better planning, evaluation, and implementation of countermeasures.

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Road Safety Management Process

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1. Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs)

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SPIs are categorized into:

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• User Behavior (seatbelt use, speeding)
• Road Infrastructure (design quality, markings)
• Vehicles (safety features)
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (response times)

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These indicators guide policymakers in measuring current performance and identifying improvement areas.

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2. Network Screening & Crash Diagnosis

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A structured five-step screening process is outlined:

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1. Establish focus
2. Identify the network
3. Select performance measures
4. Choose a screening method
5. Evaluate and diagnose

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This helps in identifying high-risk zones for targeted intervention.

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3. Countermeasure Selection and Economic Appraisal

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After crash diagnosis, SHC 603 guides on selecting appropriate measures and evaluating them through:

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• Cost-benefit analysis
• Prioritization methods
• Project rankings based on effectiveness

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Road Safety Audits (RSA) and Inspections

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SHC 603 outlines audits for all phases:

• Preliminary Design Stage
• Detailed Design Stage
• Construction and Pre-opening
• Existing Roads (Road Safety Inspections)

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Each audit involves a qualified, independent safety team, using SHC checklists for thorough evaluation.

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Proactive vs. Reactive Safety Analysis

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• Reactive: Based on past crash data
• Proactive: Predicts crashes using models like AASHTO's Highway Safety Manual

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SHC 603 promotes a hybrid approach, balancing historical trends with predictive analytics for effective planning.

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Speed Management & Traffic Calming

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Speed is a major contributor to crashes. SHC 603 includes:

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• Road diets
• Speed humps & tables
• Vertical and horizontal deflections
• Use of signage and visual cues

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These techniques are especially vital for urban and school zones in Saudi cities.

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Tunnel and Hazardous Material Transport Safety

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Tunnel Safety

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Focuses on:

• Safety parameters
• Emergency operations
• Control center responsibilities
• Vehicle spacing and speed limits

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Hazardous Material

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Covers:

• Training for handlers
• Hazard classification and signage
• Emergency Response Assistance Plans (ERAP)

This is crucial for industrial zones like Jubail and Yanbu, where hazardous material movement is frequent.

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Cargo Restraint Guidelines

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To ensure safety during freight movement:

• SHC 603 provides standards for securing different types of cargo
• Includes provisions for heavy machinery, logs, paper rolls, and intermodal containers

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Human Factors and Safe System Approach

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The code acknowledges that human error is inevitable, so it emphasizes:

• Designing self-explaining roads
• Ensuring safe speeds
• Using forgiving roadside designs

This is aligned with the Safe System Approach, globally recognized for reducing fatal crashes.

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Implementation Strategy

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• Use of qualified Road Safety Professionals (RSP1 & RSP2)
• Mandatory audits at each project stage
• Alignment with international codes like AASHTO, NFPA, and MMUCC

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Final Thoughts

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SHC 603 is a transformative document in Saudi Arabia’s journey towards zero fatalities on roads. By integrating data-driven strategies, standardized audits, and human-centered design, it reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to road user safety at every level.

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