Safety Audits

Intersection Safety Audits are integral to the understanding of the influences that can contribute to the cause of accidents at selected sites. Complete analysis of the intersection involves key observation techniques coupled with an understanding of driver behavior and geometric design principles. Video reproduction of observations allow for detailed analysis of the contributing factors that create conflicts. Once these factors are understood, it is easier to determine what mitigating measures can be taken to reduce the risk of accidents.

Adept has training provided by Hamilton & Associates in conjunction with ICBC to conduct Intersection Safety Audits.

Pedestrian conflicts are just as important as vehicle conflicts. Adept has created a methodology to analyze the number of possible conflicts that can occur at a crosswalk depending on a number of relevant factors including: grade, speed of vehicles, pedestrian volumes, the type of turning traffic, growth predictions, conflict points, and others. This allows us to compare various route concepts to get pedestrians across the road in the safest possible manner. The following graph indicates the results of one such recent analysis.

Safety Implications

There are significant factors related to the geometry of an intersection, the traffic signal timing, and the perceptions of the drivers and non-drivers that can influence the safe movement of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists through the paths of conflicting movements.

The above mentioned strategy to determine the underlying factors that contribute to the safe and efficient flow of vehicles and pedestrians through an intersection can save not only lives and significant personal and property damages, but lives of the innocent and criminally responsible. Safe operations (and consequently the retrofitting of an intersection) depend upon successful implementation of audits and analysis.
Adept can help you determine steps that could improve your intersections, save you money in claims, decrease injuries, and help save lives.