Road Safety Audit Program

From initiation to completion, an RSA can be expected to take anywhere from four to six months. Below is a step-by-step outline of the process. 

1. Selection of Audit Sites
   The first step in an RSA program is to select the roadways or projects to be audited. This selection is based on various criteria, such as high accident rates, public complaints, or planned new road projects. Prioritization ensures that resources are allocated to the most critical areas.
2. Formation of Audit Team
   A multi-disciplinary team is assembled, comprised of NVCOG staff, municipal traffic engineers, and representatives from relevant stakeholders, such as local government authorities, emergency services, and community groups. The diversity of the team ensures a comprehensive evaluation from multiple perspectives.
3. Pre-Audit Preparation
   Next, background information is collected, including crash data from previous incidents, traffic volumes, and speed, in order to inform the in-person site visit.
4. Site Audit
   The on-site review is the core of the RSA process. The audit team visits the selected roadway or project site to observe its conditions and operations firsthand. During the visit, the team identifies safety issues, assesses traffic flow, and examines road users’ behavior. Photographs and notes are taken to document findings. The field audit is crucial, as it allows the team to gather essential information directly from the site with input from multiple perspectives.
5. Analysis and Report
   After the on-site review, the audit team analyzes the collected data and identifies safety concerns. They consider factors such as road geometry, signage, lighting, and environmental conditions. A community engagement component may be included to gather feedback from corridor users, gathering concerns and suggestions for improvement. The team then compiles a report detailing the identified safety issues and recommends specific improvements. Short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations are given, including recommendations for priority actions based on safety impact, feasibility, and cost.
6. Recommendations & Implementation
   The final step involves implementing the audit team’s recommendations. Findings may be presented to local leaders, CT DOT, and community groups. Critical recommendations are highlighted which may include physical improvements, such as installing new signage or redesigning intersections, as well as operational changes, such as adjusting traffic signal timings. The team works with relevant authorities to prioritize and implement the most effective solutions.

Municipalities interested in conducting an RSA should contact Richard Donovan at rdonovan@nvcogct.gov.

The following criteria will be considered as part of future project prioritization and selection:

• Projects that promote holistic and regionally significant outcomes
• Address safety concerns at locations with a history of fatal and serious injury crashes
• Address safety concerns for vulnerable road users
• Address emerging safety concern areas
• Benefit underserved communities
• Geographic distribution