RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design

Specification
May 2013
Amended October 2017
Updated January 2020

RAP-RRM-3.1
 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

About EuroRAP
The European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) is an international not-for-profit organisation
dedicated to saving lives through safer roads.

It aims to:

• Reduce death and serious injury on Europe’s roads through a systematic programme of risk
assessment, identifying major safety shortcomings that can be addressed by practical road
improvement measures;

• Ensure risk assessment lies at the heart of strategic decisions on route improvements, crash
protection and standards of route management; and

• Forge partnerships between those responsible for a safe road system – motoring organisations,
vehicle manufacturers and road authorities.

The work of EuroRAP is supported by the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society, iRAP, the motor
industry, leading governments and the European Commission. Its Members are automobile and touring clubs,
national and regional road authorities and researchers.

National governments, automobile clubs and associations, charities, the motor industry and institutions also
support specific EuroRAP projects and encourage the transfer of research and technology. In addition, many
individuals donate their time and expertise to support the organisation.

EuroRAP has received two Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards. The first
in 2004 for founding the European programme, and the second in 2009 at the first
inter-Ministerial conference on road safety in Moscow, for founding the global
International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP).

For more information about the programme visit www.eurorap.org

© European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) 2013. EuroRAP technology including protocols, processes and
brands may not be altered or used in any way without the express written agreement of EuroRAP.

EuroRAP has licence to use the following as trademarks for exclusive use in Europe: The EuroRAP logo figurative and
word mark, ‘RAP Road Risk Mapping’, ‘RAP Road Assessment Programme’, and ‘RAP Road Risk Rating’.

The EuroRAP Crash Risk Mapping protocol is licensed free of charge to RAP Members who undertake to maintain the
quality standards.

EuroRAP is an international not-for-profit organisation registered in Brussels (no. 50962003, company no. 0479824257).
Registered Office: Rue de la Science 41, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

Version control
Date Name of Version Author Position Summary
document
10/01/ RAP-RRM-3.1 6a Brian EuroRAP Change from RAP Road Risk Mapping to
2020 RAP Crash Risk Lawton RAP Crash Risk Mapping reflected
Mapping Design throughout, along with some formatting
Specification updates
17/11/ RAP-RRM-3.1 6 Steve EuroRAP Name of document in version control list and
2017 RAP Risk Lawson contact points amended
Mapping Design
Specification
15/05/ EuroRAP202: 5 Dr Joanne EuroRAP Document renamed and split into design
2013 Risk Mapping Marden specification RAP-RRM-3.1 and technical
Manual specification RAP-RRM-2.1.
29/09/ EuroRAP202: 4 Dr Joanne EuroRAP Comprehensive update including addition of
2010 Risk Mapping Hill sections on process, data handling, creating
Manual a EuroRAP network, assigning crash and
traffic flows, metadata guidelines,
cartographic specifications, interpreting
results, and RRM vs Star Rating
14/09/ Technical 3 Dr Joanne EuroRAP Updated with sections on the context and
2009 Specification for Hill background of Risk Mapping and
Creating EuroRAP cartographic specification for the production
Risk Rate Maps of standardised EuroRAP Risk Maps
17/11/ Technical 2 Dr Joanne EuroRAP Updated with section on adjustment factors
2005 Specification for Hill for under-reporting
Creating EuroRAP
Risk Rate Maps
15/09/ Technical 1 Dr Joanne EuroRAP Document created
2004 Specification for Hill
Creating EuroRAP
Risk Rate Maps

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

Contents
1. Scope of the document ..........................................................................................................................5
2. Structure of the document ....................................................................................................................5
3. Colour-coded risk bandings ..................................................................................................................6
4. Cartographic specifications ..................................................................................................................7
4.1. Colour specifications ......................................................................................................................7
4.1.1. RGB colour palette ..................................................................................................................7
4.1.2. CMYK colour palette ...............................................................................................................7
4.1.3. Pantone spot colour (solid coated) palette ..........................................................................7
4.1.4. Web (html) colour palette .......................................................................................................7
4.1.5. Colour vision deficiency specifications ...............................................................................8
4.2. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping elements ...................................................................8
4.3. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping non-cartographic content .....................................14
5. Contacts and support ..........................................................................................................................16

List of Figures

Figure 1. Alternative Crash Risk Mapping colours for colour vision deficiency ............................................. 8
Figure 2. Crash Risk Mapping a dense road network ................................................................................... 9
Figure 3. Crash Risk Mapping a sparse road network .................................................................................. 9
Figure 4. Design and layout of a standardised EuroRAP Crash Risk Map .................................................11

List of Tables

Table 1. RGB colour specification ................................................................................................................. 7

Table 2. CMYK colour specification .............................................................................................................. 7
Table 3. Pantone colour specification ........................................................................................................... 7
Table 4. html colour specification .................................................................................................................. 7
Table 5. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping cartographic elements ...................................................12
Table 6. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping non-cartographic elements ...........................................14

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

1. Scope of the document

RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification sets out the design and cartographic specification
for the production of RAP Crash Risk Mapping to a standardised format.

The following companion documents are also available:

• RAP-RRM-2.1: RAP Crash Risk Mapping: Technical Specification: detailing technical specifications
required to create internationally consistent RAP Crash Risk Mapping. The document details the
principles of the Crash Risk Mapping protocol, how networks are constructed and the rationale for the
selection of road sections and their related parameters in building a data set.

• RAP-PT-2.1: RAP Performance Tracking Manual: detailing the technical specification for comparing the
performance of networks or individual road sections, using consecutive Risk Maps.

2. Structure of the document

Section 3: Colour-coded risk bandings introduces the concept of the risk thresholds used in the Crash Risk
Mapping protocol.

Section 4: Cartographic specifications describes the presentation of Crash Risk Mapping to an internationally
consistent format. The colour banding palette (including that to be used for those with colour vision deficiency),
and a style template for map and non-map elements are included.

Section 5: Contacts and support gives the details of EuroRAP core team members who can be contacted for
help and advice.

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

3. Colour-coded risk bandings

In order to show the varying levels of risk across a road network, individual road sections are allocated into
one of five colour coded risk bandings.

The standard RAP Crash Risk Mapping colour palette is based on five colour
bands signifying low to high risk. See Section 4.1 for the colour specifications
in RGB, CMYK, Pantone and html formats.

The standardisation of colours provides an internationally recognised system

allowing comparisons across borders, i.e. a black road in one country is the
same as a black road in another.

The colour palette has been designed to meet the following criteria, it:

• achieves international consensus

• is based on the significance of particular colours (such as black and red to signify danger) in different
countries and is therefore meaningful to a wide audience

• means adjoining colours are easily distinguishable from one another

• ensures that the information is clear and distinguishable when presented in a variety of media (online,
print, high resolution, low resolution)

RAP Crash Risk Mapping is based on the distribution of risk across a road network. The weighting given to
each of the five bandings, i.e. the proportion of road sections falling into each of the categories, were chosen
to ensure that a substantial number of road sections on a varied network in high performing countries, fell into
each banding, whilst highlighting the small but significant number of sections with very high risk.

RAP Crash Risk Mapping gives various insights to risk for different audiences. For road-users it is important
that the output demonstrates how risk can change across a network, leading to a better understanding and
awareness of why some roads are safer than others. For road providers, the output, when used alongside
existing approaches, can help in setting realistic targets for improvements.

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

4. Cartographic specifications
The following section describes the design and cartographic components of RAP Crash Risk Mapping that are
used to present results to internationally consistent standards.

4.1. Colour specifications

The standard colour palette for RAP Crash Risk Mapping is based on a traffic light system using a continuum
from dark, signifying high risk, to light, signifying low risk. The standardisation of colours provides an
internationally recognised system and allows comparisons across borders.

4.1.1. RGB colour palette

Table 1. RGB colour specification
R 0 232 238 255 148
G 0 82 164 241 194
B 0 54 7 92 96

4.1.2. CMYK colour palette

Table 2. CMYK colour specification
C 0 0 0 0 50
M 0 80 39 0 0
Y 0 80 95 73 75
K 100 0 5 0 0

4.1.3. Pantone spot colour (solid coated) palette

Table 3. Pantone colour specification
Pantone Pantone Pantone Pantone Pantone
Black 7417C 7409C 106C 367C

4.1.4. Web (html) colour palette

Table 4. html colour specification
R 0 E8 EE FF 94
G 0 52 A4 F1 C2
B 0 36 07 5C 60

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

4.1.5. Colour vision deficiency specifications

Colour vision deficiency affects a significant proportion of the population, resulting in difficulties distinguishing
between colours and confusing those that the majority of people readily see. The most common is red-green
deficiency (‘Deuteranopia’). It is estimated that between 8% and 12% of males, and around 1% of females,
are affected by the condition.

Given that the aim of RAP Crash Risk Mapping is to raise awareness and understanding of road safety risk
using a colour coded system, it is imperative that the varying level of risk is distinguishable. Greater clarity can
be achieved by choosing unambiguous colour combinations, annotating features, adding textural components
or altering the colours used. While the first two of these are more difficult to achieve in Crash Risk Mapping
without adding ‘noise’ to the output, RAP Crash Risk Mapping in Great Britain has trialled varying colour
schemes to address the issue.

In 2010, the UK’s Road Safety Foundation published its annual

EuroRAP Crash Risk Mapping using the traditional colour
palette and a second map designed with colours
distinguishable by those with red-green colour vision
deficiency. An extract from the latter, and the colours used for
the risk banding, are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Alternative Crash Risk Mapping colours for

colour vision deficiency

4.2. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping elements

The following section sets out the style template that should be followed for all RAP Crash Risk Mapping. The
design and layout of a standardised Crash Risk Map is shown in Figure 2.

N.B. The following specifications are included as guidelines only. Exact specifications will vary
according to the size of the output and the density of the road network assessed. For example, while
elements such as the colour of the sea and land will not be affected by output size, the optimum width
of roads and the associated road numbers and road type casings will depend on the density of the
network being assessed.

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

Where a dense network is used, road widths may need to

be reduced to ensure that individual sections are
distinguishable, particularly where they overlap or
intersect.

Figure 2. Crash Risk Mapping a dense road network

Where a less dense network is used, road widths can

be increased, but road numbers may need to be
reduced in size and frequency.

Figure 3. Crash Risk Mapping a sparse road network

Road widths may need to be increased on large output sizes, such as posters, to ensure that the risk banding
colours of individual sections, and the distribution of risk across the network, can be easily seen. On smaller
size outputs, such as in printed reports, road widths may need to be decreased to ensure that they can be
easily distinguished.

Producing standard RAP Crash Risk Mapping is therefore an iterative process. The aim is to achieve
international consistency within the recognised RAP brand while at the same time producing output
that is fit for purpose. It is recommended that all mapping is printed and reviewed at the intended
output size, and amendments made as necessary, prior to final publication.

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RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

RAP Crash Risk Rating

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

Figure 4. Design and layout of a standardised EuroRAP Crash Risk Map

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

Table 5. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping cartographic elements

Sea 20c 0m 0y 0k, with no key line.

Lakes should not be included where they detract from the risk rating
of individual road sections.

Rivers should not be named

Land White fill 0c 0m 0y 0k, and no key line.

Land within map bounds but outside of featured country/region to be

shaded pale grey (0c 0m 0y 10k).

Coastal key line defined separately below.

Coastline Key line only, 80c 0m 0y 0k, 0.15mm line weight as per lake outline.

International Line weight 0.8mm, dashed - 1.75mm dash 0.5mm gap, coloured 0c
boundary 0m 0y 50k.

Road Overall line weight of motorways or highways to be 0.6mm, overall

network line weight of dual, single and mixed carriageways 0.4mm.

Wide grey road casing on motorways 0c 0m 0y 70k, narrow grey

casing on dual, single and mixed carriageways 0c 0m 0y 30k.

In fill with EuroRAP colour palette (see Section 4.1), line weight 0.3
mm.

Roads with no applicable risk data will have a grey fill, 0c 0m 0y 30k,
line weight 0.3mm.

Town Major cities are included as a point of reference on all EuroRAP

stamps maps, but no other point symbols will be included.

Capital or major cities/towns - open circle 1.6mm diameter, line

weight 0.2mm, 0c 0y 0m 80k, white fill, 0c 0m 0y 0k.

Minor cities/towns - open circle 1 mm diameter, line weight 0.2mm,

0c 0y 0m 80k, white fill, 0c 0m 0y 0k.

Other towns - open circle 0.8mm diameter, line weight 0.2mm, 0c 0y

0m 80k, white fill, 0c 0m 0y 0k.

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

City, town & Capital or major city/town - Arial Bold 6pt CAPS, 0c 0m 0y 80k.
island
names Minor city/town - Arial Bold 5.5pt, 0c 0m 0y 80k.

Other town - Arial Regular 4.5pt, 0c 0m 0y 80k.

Town text has a white halo 0.15mm oversize to the text characters.

Major island names - Arial Italic 5pt, 0c 0m 0y 70k.

Road Motorway/highway number - Arial Bold 3pt CAPS, 0c 0m 0y 0k. The

numbers text has a rectangular background box, 2mm oversize to the text,
grey fill 0c 0m 0y 60k.

Other road number - Arial Regular 3pt CAPS, 0c 0m 0y 100k. The

numbers are curved and offset following the road alignment.

High Risk road number - Arial Bold 4pt CAPS, 0c 0m 0y 100k. The
numbers are curved and offset following the road alignment. This
road text is larger to emphasise the high risk value.

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

Legend Title should read ‘RAP Crash Risk Rating’.

RAP Crash Risk Rating
Legend should include the risk banding
categories and colours, and road types
assessed with the casings used to distinguish
each.

Can also incorporate a scale bar where space

is available to do so.

Legend title - Arial Bold. The text size is

variable to fit available legend space.

Legend entries - Arial Regular. The text size is

variable to fit available legend space.

Scale bar Shown in km and or miles, depending on the

national norm.

Scale bar - Arial Regular. The text size is

variable to fit available legend space.

4.3. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping non-cartographic content

Table 6. Standardised RAP Crash Risk Mapping non-cartographic elements

Title Prominent position, e.g. top right, clearly

but briefly stating the content of the map

Introductory Prominent position under Title, typically

text top right.

Should include a fuller description of

what the mapping shows, the network
assessed, types of crashes included,
and assessment period covered.

It is also good practice to include

information on where further information
can be found.

Logos The EuroRAP logo must be displayed

on the map at a minimum size of 43mm
x 10mm.

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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification
This should be displayed in a prominent
position, typically close to the title and
introductory text.
Logos for lead organisation (i.e.
EuroRAP Member holding the licence to
produce RAP Crash Risk Mapping),
technical supporters and financial
supporters should also be included
within the boundary of the map.
Copyright As detailed in Section 7 of RAP-RRM-
notice 2.1: RAP Crash Risk Mapping:
Technical Specification, metadata
elements, pertaining to the source,
nature and quality of the data should be
included as standard on RAP Crash
Risk Mapping.
This most commonly can take the form
of a footnote.
Exclusion of Some countries choose to include an
liability exclusion of liability notice. For example:
© ABC club. The ABC club is indebted to the
Department for Transport, for allowing use of
data in creating the map. Crash and traffic data is
for 2006-2008, the most recent available when
the map was prepared. The roads shown are
based on the 2008 network but the map excludes
the centres of major cities. No results are
presented for roads shown in grey - these are
either motorway spurs, connecting sections off
the major route network, are short links, or roads
that opened part way through the data period.
Risk rates on road sections vary but it is expected
that, on average, those off the main road network
will have higher rates than sections on it.
Generally motorways and high quality 2-lane
carriageways function in a similar way and are
safer than 1-lane or mixed carriageways.
Prepared under licence from EuroRAP AISBL
using protocols © Copyright EuroRAP AISBL.
This map may not be reproduced without the
consent of the ABC club.
The information in this map is not intended to be
relied upon as advice, and in particular the Authors
and Publishers accept no responsibility for loss or
injury suffered by any person as a consequence
direct or indirect of anything contained.
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 RAP-RRM-3.1 RAP Crash Risk Mapping Design Specification

5. Contacts and support

For technical advice and support, please contact:

Brian Lawton
Programme and Research Manager
Road Safety Foundation
on behalf of EuroRAP

 brian.lawton@roadsafetyfoundation.org
 +44 (0) 1256 345598
EuroRAP AISBL
Worting House
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG23 8PX
UK

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RAP Crash Risk Mapping: Design
Specification
Crash Risk Maps are a pillar of Road Assessment Programmes (RAP). These are colour-
coded maps showing safety ratings of death and serious injury on individual road sections
across a network. Statistically designed to support national road safety strategies, they add
an extra layer of information alongside existing approaches by enabling the tracking of
performance over time and benchmarking with other countries and neighbouring authorities.

For individual road-users they show which roads are safer than others, where they need to
be especially alert and, as citizens, press for upgrading of safety. For road providers they
reflect more broadly how risk is distributed across a network and can help to form the basis
of investment decisions.

RAP-RRM-3.1 sets out the design and cartographic specification for the production of RAP
Crash Risk Mapping to a standardised format.

Details of the technical specifications required to create internationally consistent mapping

are described in the companion document RAP-RRM-2.1: RAP Crash Risk Mapping:
Technical Specification.

Contact point: Brian Lawton (brian.lawton@roadsafetyfoundation.org)

EuroRAP is an international not-for-profit organisation registered in Brussels (no. 50962003, company no.
0479824257). Registered Office: Rue de la Science 41, 1040 Brussels, Belgium.

 icanhelp@eurorap.org
 +44 (0) 1256 345598
 EuroRAP AISBL
Worting House
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG23 8PX
UK