Road Safety Inspection Checklist

• Road

• Date and Time conducted

  Date

• Conducted by

• Location
  Address

Road alignment and cross-section

Visibility; sight distance

• Is sight distance adequate for the speed of traffic using the route?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is adequate sight distance provided for intersections and crossings? (for example, pedestrian, cyclist, cattle, railway)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is adequate sight distance provided at all private driveways and property entrances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Design speed

• Is the horizontal and vertical alignment suitable for the (85th percentile) traffic speed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• are warning signs installed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• are advisory speed signs installed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the posted advisory speeds for curves appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Speed limit/speed zoning

• Is the speed limit compatible with the function, road geometry, land use and sight distance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Overtaking

• Are safe overtaking opportunities provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Readability by drivers

• Is the road free of elements that may cause confusion? For example:

• is alignment of the roadway clearly defined?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• has disused pavement (if any) been removed or treated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• have old pavement markings been removed properly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• do tree lines follow the road alignment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• does the line of street lights or the poles follow the road alignment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the road free of misleading curves or combinations of curves?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Widths

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are traffic lane and carriageway widths adequate for the traffic volume and mix?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are bridge widths adequate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Shoulders

• Are shoulders wide enough to allow drivers to regain control of errant vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are shoulders wide enough for broken-down or emergency vehicles to stop safely?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are shoulders sealed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are shoulders traffickable for all vehicles and road users? (i.e. are shoulders in good condition)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the transition from road to shoulder safe? (no drop-offs)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Crossfalls

• Is appropriate superelevation provided on curves?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is any adverse crossfall safely managed (for cars, trucks, etc.)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do crossfalls (carriageway and shoulder) provide adequate drainage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Batter slopes

• Are batter slopes traversable by cars and trucks that run off the road?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Drains

• Are roadside drains and culvert end walls traversable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Auxiliary lanes

Tapers

• Are starting and finishing tapers located and aligned correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient sight distance to the end of the auxiliary lane?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Shoulders

• Are appropriate shoulder widths provided at merges?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have shoulder widths been maintained beside the auxiliary lane?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Signs and markings

• Have all signs been installed in accordance with the appropriate guidelines?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all signs conspicuous and clear?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does all linemarking conform with these guidelines?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there advance warning of approaching auxiliary lanes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Turning traffic

• Have right turns from the through lane been avoided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there advance warning of turn lanes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Intersections

Location

• Are all intersections located safely with respect to the horizontal and vertical alignment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where intersections occur at the end of high-speed environments (for example, at approaches to towns), are there traffic control devices to alert drivers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Visibility; sight distance

• Is the presence of each intersection obvious to all road users?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the sight distance appropriate for all movements and all road users?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there stopping sight distance to the rear of any queue or slow-moving turning vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the appropriate sight distance been provided for entering and leaving vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Controls and delineation

• Are pavement markings and intersection control signs satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are vehicle paths through intersections delineated satisfactorily?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all lanes properly marked (including any arrows)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Layout

• Are all conflict points between vehicles safely managed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the intersection layout obvious to all road users?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the alignment of kerbs obvious and appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the alignment of traffic islands obvious and appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the alignment of medians obvious and appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can all likely vehicle types be accommodated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are merge tapers long enough?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the intersection free of capacity problems that may produce safety problems?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Miscellaneous

• Particularly at rural sites, are all intersections free of loose gravel?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Signs and lighting

Lighting

• Has lighting been adequately provided where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the road free of features that interrupt illumination? (for example, trees or overbridges)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the road free of lighting poles that are a fixed roadside hazard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are frangible or slip-base poles provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ambient lighting: if it creates special lighting needs, have these been satisfied?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the lighting scheme free of confusing or misleading effects on signals or signs?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the scheme free of any lighting black patches?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

General signs issues

• Are all necessary regulatory, warning and direction signs in place? Are they conspicuous and clear?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the correct signs used for each situation, and is each sign necessary?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all signs effective for all likely conditions? (for example, day, night, rain, fog, rising or setting sun, oncoming headlights, poor lighting)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If restrictions apply for any class of vehicle, are drivers adequately advised?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If restrictions apply for any class of vehicle, are drivers advised of alternative routes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Sign legibility

• In daylight and darkness, are signs satisfactory regarding visibility and:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• clarity of message?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• readability/legibility at the required distance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is sign retroreflectivity or illumination satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are signs able to be seen without being hidden by their background or adjacent distractions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is driver confusion due to too many signs avoided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Sign supports

• Are sign supports out of the clear zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• frangible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• shielded by barriers (for example, guard fence, crash cushions)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Markings and delineation

General issues

• Is the line marking and delineation:

• appropriate for the function of the road?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• consistent along the route?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• likely to be effective under all expected conditions? (day, night, wet, dry, fog, rising and setting sun position, oncoming headlights, etc.)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the pavement free of excessive markings? (for example, unnecessary turn arrows, unnecessary barrier lines, etc.)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Centrelines, edgelines, lane lines

• Are centrelines, edgelines, lane lines provided? If not, do drivers have adequate guidance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have RRPMs been installed where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If RRPMs are installed, are they correctly placed, correct colours, in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are profiled (audible) edgelines provided where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the linemarking in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient contrast between linemarking and pavement colour?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Guideposts and reflectors

• Are guideposts appropriately installed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are delineators clearly visible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the correct colours used for the delineators?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the delineators on guard fences, crash barriers and bridge railings consistent with those on guideposts?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Curve warning and delineation

• Are curve warning signs and advisory speed signs installed where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are advisory speed signs consistent along the route?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the signs correctly located in relation to the curve? (i.e. not too far in advance)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the signs large enough?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are chevron alignment markers (CAMs) installed where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the positioning of CAMs satisfactory to provide guidance around the curve?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the CAMs the correct size?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are CAMs confined to curves? (not used to delineate islands, etc)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Crash barriers and clear zones

Clear zones

• Is the clear zone width traversable? (i.e. drivable)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the clear zone width free of rigid fixtures? (if not, can all of these rigid fixtures be removed or shielded?)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all power poles, trees, etc., at a safe distance from the traffic paths?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the appropriate treatment or protection provided for any objects within the clear zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Crash barriers

• Are crash barriers installed where necessary?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are crash barriers installed at all necessary locations in accordance with the relevant guidelines?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the barrier systems suitable for the purpose?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the crash barriers correctly installed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the length of crash barrier at each installation adequate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the guard fence attached correctly to bridge railings?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient width between the barrier and the edge line to contain a broken-down vehicle?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

End treatments

• Are end treatments constructed correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a safe run-off area behind breakaway terminals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Fences

• Are pedestrian fences frangible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are vehicles safe from being speared by horizontal fence railings located within the clear zone?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Visibility of barriers and fences

• Is there adequate delineation and visibility of crash barriers and fences at night?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Traffic signals

Operations

• Are traffic signals operating correctly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the number, location and type of signal displays appropriate for the traffic mix and traffic environment?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where necessary, are there provisions for visually impaired pedestrians? (for example, audio-tactile push buttons, tactile markings)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where necessary, are there provisions for elderly or disabled pedestrians? (for example, extended green or clearance phase)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the controller located in a safe position? (i.e. where it is unlikely to be hit, but maintenance access is safe)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the condition (especially skid resistance) of the road surface on the approaches satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Visibility

• Are traffic signals clearly visible to approaching motorists?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there adequate stopping sight distance to the ends of possible vehicle queues?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have any visibility problems that could be caused by the rising or setting sun been addressed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are signal displays shielded so that they can be seen only by the motorists for whom they are intended?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where signal displays are not visible from an adequate distance, are signal warning signs and/or flashing lights installed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where signals are mounted high for visibility over crests, is there adequate stopping sight distance to the ends of traffic queues?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the primary signal free from obstructions on the nearside footway to approaching drivers? (trees, light poles, signs, bus stops, etc.)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Pedestrians and cyclists

General issues

• Are there appropriate travel paths and crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a safety fence installed where necessary to guide pedestrians and cyclists to crossings or overpasses?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a safety barrier installed where necessary to separate vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist flows?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are pedestrian and bicycle facilities suitable for night use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Pedestrians

• Is there adequate separation distance between vehicular traffic and pedestrians on footways?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an adequate number of pedestrian crossings along the route?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• At crossing points is fencing oriented so pedestrians face oncoming traffic?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there adequate provision for the elderly, the disabled, children, wheelchairs and baby carriages? (for example, holding rails, kerb and median crossings, ramps)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are adequate hand rails provided where necessary? (for example, on bridges, ramps)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is signing about pedestrians near schools adequate and effective?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is signing about pedestrians near any hospital adequate and effective?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the distance from the stop line to a cross walk sufficient for truck drivers to see pedestrians?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Cyclists

• Is the pavement width adequate for the number of cyclists using the route?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the bicycle route continuous? (i.e. free of squeeze points or gaps)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are drainage pit grates bicycle safe?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Public transport

• Are bus stops safely located with adequate visibility and clearance to the traffic lane?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are bus stops in rural areas signposted in advance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are shelters and seats located safely to ensure that sight lines are not impeded? Is clearance to the road adequate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the height and shape of the kerb at bus stops suitable for pedestrians and bus drivers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Bridges and culverts

Design features

• Are bridges and culverts the full formation width?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are bridge and culvert carriageway widths consistent with approach conditions?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the approach alignment compatible with the 85th percentile travel speed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have warning signs been erected if either of the above two conditions (i.e. width and speed) are not met?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Crash barriers

• Are there suitable traffic barriers on bridges and culverts and their approaches to protect errant vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the connection between barrier and bridge safe?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the bridge free of kerbing that would reduce the effectiveness of barriers or rails?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Miscellaneous

• Are pedestrian facilities on the bridge appropriate and safe?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is fishing from the bridge prohibited? If not, has provision been made for safe fishing?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does delineation continue over the bridge?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Pavement

Pavement defects

• Is the condition of the pavement edges satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the transition from pavement to shoulder free of dangerous edge drop offs?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the pavement free of defects (for example, excessive roughness or rutting, potholes, loose material, etc.) that

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• could result in safety problems (for example, loss of steering control)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Skid resistance

• Does the pavement appear to have adequate skid resistance, particularly on curves, steep grades and approaches to intersections?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has skid resistance testing been carried out where necessary?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Ponding

• Is the pavement free of areas where ponding or sheet flow of water could contribute to safety problems?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Loose stones/material

• Is the pavement free of loose stones and other material?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Parking

General issues

• Are the provisions for, or restrictions on, parking satisfactory in relation to traffic safety?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the frequency of parking turnover compatible with the safety of the route?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient parking for delivery vehicles so that safety problems due to double parking do not occur?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are parking manoeuvres along the route possible without causing safety problems? (for example, angle parking)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the sight distance at intersections and along the route, unaffected by parked vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Provision for heavy vehicles

Design issues

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the route generally cater for the size of vehicle likely to use it?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there adequate manoeuvring room for large vehicles along the route, at intersections, roundabouts, etc.?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is access to rest areas and truck parking areas adequate for the size of vehicle expected? (consider acceleration, deceleration, shoulder widths, etc.)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Pavement/shoulder quality

• Are shoulders sealed at bends to provide additional pavement for long vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the pavement width adequate for heavy vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• In general, is the pavement quality sufficient for the safe travel of heavy and oversized vehicles?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• On truck routes, are reflective devices appropriate for truck drivers' eye heights?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Floodways and causeways

Ponding, flooding

• Are all sections of the route free from ponding or flow across the road during wet weather?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If there is ponding or flow across the road during wet weather, is there appropriate signposting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are floodways and causeways correctly signposted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Safety of devices

• Are all culverts or drainage structures located outside the clear roadside recovery area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If not, are they shielded from the possibility of vehicle collision?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Miscellaneous

Landscaping

• Is landscaping in accordance with guidelines? (for example, clearances, sight distance)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Will existing clearances and sight distances be maintained following future plant growth?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the landscaping at roundabouts avoid visibility problems?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Temporary works

• Are all locations free of construction or maintenance equipment that is no longer required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all locations free of signs or temporary traffic control devices that are no longer required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Headlight glare

• Have any problems that could be caused by headlight glare been addressed? (for example, a two-way service road close to main traffic lanes, the use of glare fencing or screening)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Roadside activities

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

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all advertising signs installed so that they do not constitute a hazard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Errant vehicles

• Is the roadside furniture on the verges and footways free of damage from errant vehicles that could indicate a possible problem, hazard or conflict at the site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Other safety issues

• Is the embankment stability safe?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the route free of unsafe overhanging branches?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the route free of visibility obstructions caused by long grass?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are any high-wind areas safely dealt with?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If back-to-back median kerbing is used is it:

• adequately delineated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• obvious where it starts?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• obvious at intersections?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• unlikely to be a hazard to pedestrians?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Rest areas

• Is the location of rest areas and truck parking areas along the route appropriate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there adequate sight distance to the exit and entry points from rest areas and truck parking areas at all times of the day?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Animals

• Is the route free from large numbers of animals? (for example, cattle, sheep, kangaroos, koalas, wombats, etc.)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If not, is it protected by animal-proof fencing?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Safety aspects for heavy vehicles not already covered

• Have all other matters which may have a bearing on safety for heavy vehicles been addressed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Completion

• Comments and recommendations

• Audited by:ef
  Address