Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a Road Safety Audit (RSA) in India

Road safety audits (RSAs) are systematic evaluations of road infrastructure, aimed at identifying safety risks and minimizing crash potential. In India, these audits are governed by the IRC SP:50 standard issued by the Indian Roads Congress. This document provides a framework for conducting RSAs across all stages of road development and plays a crucial role in road asset management.

With increasing traffic loads, complex intersections, and rising road crash statistics, RSA has become indispensable for ensuring that road designs are not just functional, but also safe for all users. This guide covers everything from the stages of RSA to how modern tools like AI-based platforms can streamline the process.

What is IRC SP:50?

IRC SP:50 is the official guideline for road safety audits in India, published by the Indian Roads Congress. It defines:

• RSA objectives
• Audit methodology
• RSA stages
• Responsibilities of stakeholders
• Templates and reporting standards

These audits are applicable across National Highways (NH), State Highways (SH), and Urban Roads, making IRC SP:50 an essential reference for civil engineers, planners, and road safety consultants.

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Why Road Safety Audits Matter in Road Asset Management?

Road asset management isn’t just about road conditions and budgeting; it also includes safety performance. RSAs help:

• Identify geometric or visibility issues before accidents occur
• Ensure compliance with road design codes
• Support better planning, prioritization, and pavement condition surveys
• Reduce costly retrofits by detecting risks early

When integrated with digital road inventory tools, audits also contribute to structured, data-driven maintenance strategies.

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Stages of Road Safety Audit as per IRC SP:50

IRC SP:50 outlines five distinct RSA stages, each targeting specific phases of a road project:

1. Feasibility Stage Audit

• Reviews alignment, access control, land use, and major intersections
• Identifies strategic safety risks before final design is locked

2. Preliminary Design Stage Audit

• Focuses on cross-sectional elements, junction layout, pedestrian movement
• Includes visibility, sign placement, and drainage

3. Detailed Design Stage Audit

• Checks for compliance with IRC geometric standards
• Focuses on lighting, barriers, shoulder width, and signage

4. Construction Stage Audit

• Ensures safety during work zones
• Checks barricading, lighting, detour quality, and access safety

5. Post-Opening/Operational Stage Audit

• Conducted after the road is open to traffic
• Focuses on real-world issues like sight distance, signage effectiveness, and road user behavior

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Road Safety Audit Procedure in India

Following IRC SP:50, here is a simplified, step-by-step road safety audit procedure in India:

Step 1: Define Scope & Team

• Define the audit objective and the road section
• Form a multidisciplinary audit team of qualified road safety engineers

Step 2: Data Collection

• Use traffic survey tools, crash data, and road inventory maps
• Capture images, video, and geo-tagged data for on-ground realities

Step 3: Site Inspection

• Field visits during day and night
• Identify blackspots, blind curves, pedestrian conflict zones

Step 4: Risk Identification & Analysis

• Evaluate road geometry, signage, and user behavior
• Rate risks based on severity and likelihood

Step 5: Reporting & Recommendations

• Submit structured audit reports with photos, GIS data, and proposed corrective actions
• Follow templates and checklists prescribed under IRC SP:50

Step 6: Post-Audit Follow-up

• Monitor implementation of safety measures
• Validate crash reductions or behavior improvements

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How AI Improves RSA Quality and Speed?

Traditional audits can be slow, subjective, and inconsistent. AI-based platforms like RoadVision AI help by:

• Detecting safety hazards from video and imagery automatically
• Mapping defects with GPS and geo-referenced layers
• Performing sub-route scoring as per IRC standards
• Speeding up audits from weeks to days

Explore a real-world example in our case studies section.

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Conclusion

The IRC SP:50-based road safety audit procedure ensures safer, more compliant roads when performed correctly. By integrating RSA into your road asset management plan and adopting digital tools like RoadVision AI, you improve road design, reduce crashes, and save time and cost.

RoadVision AI is transforming road infrastructure development and maintenance with its innovative AI in road maintenance and AI in road construction solutions. By utilizing cutting-edge computer vision technology and digital twin models, the platform conducts comprehensive road safety audits, enabling the early detection of potholes, cracks, and other surface issues for timely repairs and enhanced road conditions. The use of AI in road safety also extends to traffic surveys, providing data-driven insights to tackle challenges like traffic congestion and optimize road usage. Focused on building smart roads, RoadVision AI ensures full compliance with IRC Codes, empowering engineers and stakeholders to reduce costs, minimize risks, and elevate road safety and transportation efficiency.

Ready to go beyond manual audits?

Book a demo with us to see how RoadVision AI transforms your RSA process.

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FAQs

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Q1. What is the purpose of IRC SP:50?

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IRC SP:50 provides standard guidelines for conducting road safety audits in India to minimize risks and improve road safety.

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Q2. How many stages are there in an RSA as per IRC SP:50?

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There are five stages: Feasibility, Preliminary Design, Detailed Design, Construction, and Post-Opening.

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Q3. Can RoadVision AI help with IRC-compliant road audits?

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Yes, RoadVision AI delivers audit-ready reports, GPS-based defect mapping, and RSA insights fully aligned with IRC SP:50.

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