Implementing road safety inspections in Ireland and initial results

Abstract

This paper will focus on changes to the implementation of road safety inspections in Ireland following the requirement, under EU Directive 2008/96/EC on Road Infrastructure Safety Management, for the establishment of periodic road safety inspections (RSI) of existing roads, along with safety impact assessments, high accident concentration ranking and road safety audits (RSA). Ireland, along with fellow EU member states, were required to adopt guidelines ensuring road safety inspections were carried out by a competent entity in order to safeguard adequate safety levels for road infrastructure. By using a case study, this paper will outline the transition Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has made by embracing new technology. This proactive approach to improving road safety contrasts with the reactive ‘black spot’ approach based on historical collision data. Incorporating RSI and the additional requirements (e.g. RSA) of the Directive 2008/96/EC into existing design standards has provided TII complimentary tools to better enable designers’ effect positive change to the road environment in Ireland