Print version: Initiating a CRS [PDF, 76 KB]
In an effort to achieve road safety goals and co-ordinate the efforts of all stakeholders, RCAs are being encouraged to develop SMSs. This is a key initiative in the government’s Road Safety to 2010 strategy (October 2003).
A CRS is one of the crash reduction tools within the SMS toolbox, although it may take various forms. There may be the requirement for periodic (annual to six-yearly) programmed formal CRSs or the unprogrammed reactive response to recent or developing crash problems.
An RCA needs to periodically review crash trends on its road network. Road safety problems that have been identified in Land Transport NZ’s Road safety issues reports and by local Police, local residents, transport operators and other road safety partners should be considered in identifying priorities for CRSs.
Crash sites or routes with an increasing incidence of crashes should receive particular attention along with sites or routes with a continuing relatively high crash rate. Assistance should be sought from Land Transport NZ or other specialist road safety engineers in predicting the likely crash reductions that may be possible from initiating a CRS to devise treatments for these locations.
For background information see sections 2, 3 and 4 of Austroads Pt 4.
RCAs throughout New Zealand have varying approaches to initiating and managing both programmed and unprogrammed CRSs. They include:
There are advantages and disadvantages for the various arrangements. However, the following issues need to be considered.
Contractual arrangements for undertaking any CRS need to recognise the importance of the above and ensure the briefing process and financial arrangements encourage the best results from the CRS process.
The establishment of an on-going CRS programme should ensure there is a continuing source and availability of funding for CRSs and that the personnel involved in the studies develop expertise and experience in reducing the road crash problems in that area.
Funding for programmed CRSs is available through Land Transport NZ {Refer to the Project funding manual (PFM)}.
Land Transport NZ also make staff resources available subject to the CRS being programmed and identified within the New Zealand Road Safety Programme. Depending upon resource availability, Land Transport NZ may also assist in unprogrammed, responsive type studies.
The CRS process is diagrammatically shown in figure 3.1, with each phase being described in more detail in the following sections.
Pre-study
| Steps | Responsibility | Comment | Refer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Determine need for study by analysing crash data |
RCA/Network management consultant/ contractor/ Land Transport NZ |
In accordance with SMS requirements; may be a cyclic study, or identified through annual safety monitoring, or in response to a specific problem | Section 3 |
| Programme study funding Land Transport NZ support |
RCAs in conjunction with Land Transport NZ |
Land Transport NZ programmed studies included in NZ Road Safety Programme. Land Transport NZ funding available. Unprogrammed studies may not receive specific Land Transport NZ resources | Section 3 |
Typical crash study scope
| Steps | Responsibility | Comment | Refer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initiate study | RCAs/ consultants |
Various in-house, or consultant arrangements used. Short and long term CRS contracts | Section 3 |
| Identify crash locations |
RCAs/ consultants/ Land Transport NZ |
This may be undertaken prior to initiating the study or by the CRS team. The CRS initiation may be in response to a specific crash | Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 |
| Form team | RCA/ consultant |
Team member skills specific to the crash problems and environment. Study team may identify crash locations | Section 5.3 |
| Data collection Introduction report |
RCA/ consultant/ Land Transport NZ |
Traffic volumes, aerial photos, maps, road data, collision diagram etc | Section 5.2 |
| Preliminary diagnosis |
CRS team | Usually undertaken prior to site inspections | Section 5.3 |
| Field inspections and follow-up inspections |
CRS team | Drive-over, inconspicuous observations, and any follow-up investigations required | Sections 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 |
| Identify problems |
CRS team | Play detective and identify problems by thoroughly investigating both data and location | Section 5.7 |
| Develop solutions |
CRS team | Countermeasures targeted to safety problems identified. Follow-up visits and measurements may be required | Section 6 |
| Estimate/ economics |
CRS team | Usually undertaken by the team leader or one member. Economics dependent on funding sources and requirements | Section 6 |
| Reporting | CRS team | Draft report prepared and reviewed by all team members. Final draft may be sent to the RCA for comment. Final report to include monitoring setup forms for Land Transport NZ. | Section 7 |
| Monitoring forms |
CRS team | Site problem and recommendation forms sent back to Land Transport NZ who then sends implementation forms to the RCA Section | Section 9.2 |
Post-study
| Steps | Responsibility | Comment | Refer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design, construction and implementation |
RCA/ consultant/ network management consultant/ contractor |
Timing, responsibility dependent on contractual arrangements and funding source. May or may not form part of the CRS | Section 8 |
| Safety audit | CRS team or independent team (not designers or installers of improvement works) |
Check that improvement works will achieve the crash savings stated in report | Section 8.3 and ’Road safety audit procedures’ |
| Monitoring | RCA/Land Transport NZ |
Implementation forms completed by the RCA or consultant and returned to Land Transport NZ. Monitoring results produced by Land Transport NZ |
Section 9 |
Page updated: 27 July 2005
