Our Geographical Profile for Road Safety Audits

Our Geographical Profile for Road Safety Audits

Last year TMS were proud to have audited almost 700 different schemes across the UK. We have audited schemes up and down the country, no matter how big or small.

We have worked on schemes which range from the Silvertown Tunnel project in London through to large housing developments to simple T-Junctions. Our team have carried out road safety audits at all stages, from Stage 1 through to Stage 4.

We might be based in Coventry, but our experienced road safety auditors are centrally located to carry out work all over the country. We travel to all parts of the UK and in 2021 we conducted work in Scotland, Wales, Devon, Norfolk, Kent and everywhere in between!

Below is a map showing the places we carried out audits during 2021.

We are immensely proud to have worked on hundreds of exciting schemes throughout the UK.  Below are some examples of the type of schemes we have carried out.

A map of the UK with red spots that represent city's and towns.

Devon

RSA 1: Crownhill Road Sustainable Transport Scheme (Plymouth)

RSA 1: Land at Woolwell – A386 Roundabout and Urban Extension (Plymouth)

RSA 3: Pinhoe Quarry, Harrington Lane – Housing Development Access (Exeter)

Bristol

RSA 3: East Works A38 Access, Filton – General Highway Improvements (Bristol)

RSA 3: St. Matthias Steiner Academy, College Road – Housing Development (Bristol)

Oxfordshire

RSA 2: Science Area Landscape Improvements, University of Oxford – Access Arrangements (Oxford)

RSA 3: Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford – Priority Junction (Gallingford)

London

RSA 1/2: Leonard Street, London – Cycle Route (Hackney)

RSA 2: Silvertown Tunnel, London, O2 Arena – Car Park (Greenwich)

West Midlands

RSA 1: Holford Drive, Perry Barr – Zebra Crossing (Birmingham)

RSA 1/2: Giggetty Lane, Wombourne – Housing Development Access (Wolverhampton)

Nottinghamshire

Interim Stage 3: Gedling, The Square and Attenuation Pond – Residential Development (Nottingham)

Merseyside

RSA 3: Kirkby Retail Development, Kirkby Town Centre, Knowsley – Retail Development Access (Liverpool)

Our Technical Director, Harminder Aulak, said:

“We have a very experienced team of Engineers with varying backgrounds, many of whom started their careers in Local Government, gaining knowledge in Road Safety Engineering, Transport Planning, Traffic Management and Road Safety Education. This knowledge is applied when carrying out audits on all types of schemes, ranging from complex grade separated junctions, motorway and dual carriageway improvements, through to development accesses and pedestrian crossings. 

We are also flexible and can accommodate short timescales if audits are required urgently to meet planning deadlines. Our clients value our independence, expert knowledge and ability to complete the work within agreed timescales.”

In 2021 alone, we audited in the vast majority of the regions within England, working with different companies, ranging from house builders to local authorities; wherever we are needed we will go.

If you require a Road Safety Audit in any part of the UK, then please request a quote from us.

The Gedling Development

The Gedling Development

Introduction

The client was a Civil and Structural Engineering Company, involved in infrastructure design, development planning, geotechnical and surveying work, with a varied and wide client base. They wanted our professional advice regarding road safety around a an open shared space area known as the “The Square” and a pond feature. The Audit Stage was Pre-3, with the scheme nearing completion.

Assessments

Concerns about road safety were raised by the Client surrounding a pond within the development, which will collect rainwater via an infiltration basin. The pond was larger than normally encountered during safety audits. The development also featured a large open shared space area known as the “The Square.” Concerns were raised here about undisciplined parking, vehicle speeds and navigation by pedestrians and cyclists.

The Pond

The team needed to assess the risk to road users of the pond, to determine if any remedial measures were required to prevent vehicles from entering water if driver’s lose control. The injury risk posed to pedestrians also needed to be determined to decide whether pedestrian safety measures were required.

A attenuation pond on the outskirts of a construction site.

The Square

“The Square” was a large open space where road safety could be compromised if road users speed through the area, or if undisciplined parking occurs. These issues could also make the area less safe for pedestrians and cyclists, especially as the aim is to create a shared space where vulnerable road users would have equal priority to vehicles.

A street view of a newly built housing development.

Recommendation

After careful analysis, the Audit Team found the pond did not need any improvements, as the ground profile, distance from the edge of carriageway and anticipated vehicle speeds deemed the risk to be in the low and tolerable region. However, safety improvements for pedestrians were suggested as the pond were more of a risk to them.

At “The Square” a way to slow vehicles was recommended, some suggestions made were landscaping and street furniture. If parking was required, a more formalised and confined arrangement was recommended. Otherwise, the prevention of parking within the shared space area could be considered, with the use of landscaping and suitably positioned street furniture to create a pedestrian only area.

Final Thoughts

Harminder Aulak who was the Audit Team Leader for the scheme quoted, “It is always pleasing when our clients come to us first to get our expert opinion on road safety matters as they arise during construction. Sometimes these issues are not easily identifiable on drawings during design stages, and instead potential issues become more apparent as construction progresses. With this scheme, we used our skills in road safety engineering, risk assessment and collision analysis to suggest improvements, ensuring scheme was safe for everyone.” Our client valued our input and we received good feedback during discussions at the site visit.

Blue Cycle Routes

Blue Cycle Routes, Birmingham

Introduction

As part of Birmingham City Council’s Cycle Revolution, new Blue Cycle Routes have been provided along the A34 and A38. These are on the A34 New Town Row/High Street and A38 Bristol Road/Bristol Street corridors. The goal is to provide an easy and quick route to Birmingham city centre.

Review

The routes are the first Blue Cycle Routes introduced in Birmingham, which follows a similar design to the London Cycle Superhighways. The schemes are designed to encourage people to switch from cars to bikes. They are mostly separated from traffic and pedestrians allowing cyclists to travel safely and quickly along the corridors. The cycle routes also have priority over vehicles where they cross side roads and have their own traffic signals at junctions and crossings. At some junctions, traffic turning movements have been banned to improve safety for cyclists.

“The only issue I found with the scheme was that the lack of directional signing and continuity of the route through the city centre. It was not easy to find your way through the city centre quickly and efficiently. This issue needs to be addressed by the council so that cyclists can connect more easily between the southern (A38) and northern (A34) routes.”

Tiger Crossing on Milton Street

A tiger crossing has been introduced across Milton Street, which combines a pedestrian zebra crossing with a crossing for cyclists. These crossings are rarely used in the UK at present, but will hopefully gain popularity as more cycle routes are introduced. Along the A38 Bristol Road, the blue route runs along the central reservation of a busy dual carriageway, providing a smooth and an attractive tree-lined route for cyclists.

A tiger crossing across the road next to a small car park.

Conclusion

Having ridden the routes, one of our engineers, Harminder Aulak said:

“I enjoyed cycling the blue routes and they certainly provided a comfortable and safe journey travelling along some of the busiest traffic routes in Birmingham. The priority given to cyclists at junctions and the provision of dedicated signals at busy intersections was welcomed and has elevated the importance of cycling amongst the hierarchy of road users. I would recommend everyone to give them a go, whether you are a novice or experienced cyclist. I believe Birmingham could become a cycling city, as has happened in London since the introduction of the cycle superhighways. To achieve this, the council needs to introduce more blue cycle routes along the other strategic routes radiating from the city centre. The blue routes help to lift some of the barriers to cycling in towns and cities, and once people have tried them, they will probably find cycling a good alternative to the car.”

Oxford, Broad Street – Temporary Public Space

Oxford, Broad Street – Temporary Public Space

Introduction

Our client was a Local Authority for Oxford, for whom TMS had previously carried out Road Safety Audits for. The proposed scheme was to provide a temporary (3 month) public space, which included landscaping, seating, and open areas in what is a heavily vehicular trafficked street. This would provide a place for people to meet and congregate or sit in privacy in an enjoyable space.

 

A closed street of terrace houses with shops on the bottom floor and seating areas out the front of the shops.

The scheme is in a historic street (Broad Street) of Oxford City Centre, which is bordered by college buildings (Balliol College), shops, cafes, and libraries. To facilitate the scheme, the section of Broad Street would be closed to vehicular traffic (except for emergency vehicles). However, during the St Giles Fare, some minor alterations would be made to the scheme to enable buses to pass through. The scheme was to be opened for three months from July 2021, with the hope that the trial may prove popular enough to consider a more permanent scheme in the future. TMS audited the scheme at Stage 1 & 2 in June 2020 and were invited back to carry out the Stage 3 Road Safety Audit in July 2021.

Assessment

The scheme was an interesting one to be involved in, largely due to the significant change in nature and use of what is an important and very historical street within the City Centre. From the Audit Teams observations at the Stage 3 site visit, it was well used by the public for the very activity that it was designed for.

Final Thoughts

The scheme was an interesting one to be involved in, largely due to the significant change in nature and use of what is an important and very historical street within the City Centre. From the Audit Teams observations at the Stage 3 site visit, it was well used by the public for the very activity that it was designed for.

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