Traffic impact analysis of existing road at Jalan Berapit (state route P131) Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang based on road safety audit (stage 5) guidelines

Abstract

In Malaysia, an increasing rate of the road accident fatalities in rural road has been identified as one of the major concern to authorities and public. One of the systems that has been implemented to ensure that the roads were achieved the required standards of safety is Road Safety Audit (RSA). The RSA (stage 5) guideline very useful to plan major maintenance and improvement by a proactive way of identifying high risk situations so that that they can be eliminated or otherwise treated to reduce the likelihood of accidents or reduce the severity of accidents. It is including the site inspection activity, intersections, traffic signal installations and general traffic management items. This study was developed to evaluate potential unsafe features or operational arrangement that may adversely affect the safety of road user and to justify the risk and severity of crashes that may be attributing to the existing road condition. This study was focused on traffic flow and control that includes the study of traffic signal installation, general traffic management, cross-section and intersection (sight distance). For the RSA inspection, Jalan Berapit at Bukit Mertajam was selected as investigation location in collecting the data of traffic volumes, spot speed, site inspection and qualitative research questionnaire. Besides, extensive preview of previous related research and consolidated by interviews with authorities and industry professionals. The data was analyzed by using SPSS and the site inspection was analyzed by using prioritization method and compared with the Guidelines for the Safety Audit of Roads in Malaysia. All the data obtained need to proceed with an immediate road safety improvement effort to ensure the improvements in term of serviceability and safety of road users. This study may lead to the improvement of road safety on federal road along Berapit to Penanti from the viewpoint of user because it is the main road and its lead to the highway nearby.