Ways to Improve Road Safety Audit in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

There are two types of internationally recognized engineering approaches to addressing road safety issues – proactive and reactive. Predicted or proactive approach includes prevention of accidents and taking corrective measures before accidents can occur. One example of this approach is road safety audit, which is a relatively new tool in developing countries. The paper has analyzed approaches to road safety audit outlined in guidelines of the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Australia, Canada, as well as in guidelines of Asian Development Bank for the countries of Central Asian Regional Economic Cooperation. All reviewed documents are characterized by a similar approach to the basic definitions, to selection of audit team and requirements for team members, to the main stages of road safety audit. All reviewed guidelines emphasize that audit is not a means of project works evaluation, verification of compliance with standards, a means of projects ranking or evaluation. Approach to road safety audit, outlined in recommendations developed in the Republic of Kazakhstan has also been analyzed. It has been established that the document does not meet approaches adopted in developed countries. Conditions of the Republic of Kazakhstan require development of a new document based on analysis of the best international experience. Currently, the Republic of Kazakhstan has embarked on a gradual introduction of “road forgiving mistakes” approach to the design and operation of roads. This fact should also be considered when revising road safety audit manual.