Urban Road Traffic Safety Audit and Improvement in Medium-Sized Cities of China

Abstract

An urban road traffic safety audit is a formal examination, in which a qualified team reports on the urban road’s crash potential and safety performance. Medium-sized cities in China have their own traffic safety features. Based on an example of FUSHUN city in China, this paper will carry out an urban road traffic safety audit system for medium-sized cities and demonstrate an urban road network risk map and traffic accident black spots analysis. Finally, we suggest remedial implementation that can create a humane and harmonious transportation environment. BACKGROUND Road traffic safety is related to human life, social harmony and stability. Improving the road traffic safety level is important in order to guarantee and improve people's livelihood. The situation in China with high population and the fast development of urbanization and motorization is more complex than in any other country. Based on international experience and domestic practice, the scientific audit of road traffic safety status and an improvement plan, is the most important means to solve road traffic safety (Zhong, 2010). A road safety audit is a formal examination of a future road or traffic project or an existing road, in which an independent, qualified team reports on the project’s crash potential and safety performance (Zhong, 2006). Under the policy from MOT (Ministry of Transport of PRC), “Guidelines for the Safety Audits of Highways” was prepared in 2004. It was the first technical standard for highway safety audits in China. Compared with a highway safety audit, an urban road safety audit has its own characteristics. An urban road safety audit is more concerned about the traffic safety features of city, such as road safety environment, high risk corridors, Safety Remedial, and safety training, etc. (MOT,