What specific process checks new road designs for safety problems before they are built?

The specific process that checks new road designs for safety problems before they are built is called a Road Safety Audit, often abbreviated as RSA. A Road Safety Audit is a formal, systematic, and independent examination of an existing or future road project's design. Its primary purpose is to identify potential road safety problems and suggest measures to eliminate or mitigate these problems proactively, before construction begins, thereby preventing future traffic collisions and reducing their severity. This process is distinct from a general design review because it focuses exclusively on safety and is conducted by an independent team. The audit team is comprised of qualified road safety professionals who were not involved in the original design process, ensuring an unbiased assessment. These auditors evaluate the design against established safety principles, design standards, and best practices, considering the perspectives and needs of all road users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. They also consider human factors, which involve how human capabilities and limitations interact with the road environment, such as ensuring clear sight lines or preventing confusing signage. Road Safety Audits are typically conducted at various stages of a project's development, including the Feasibility Study stage where early concepts are reviewed, the Preliminary Design stage where the general layout and geometric standards are assessed, and most critically, the Detailed Design stage where the complete, final design plans, including specific features like road markings, signage, lighting, and junction layouts, are thoroughly examined. The outcome of an RSA is a formal report detailing identified safety issues, explaining why they are considered a problem, and providing specific recommendations for design changes to enhance safety. The project owner or designer then reviews these recommendations and decides how to address each identified safety concern, aiming to build a safer road infrastructure from the outset.