Master en Transporte, Territorio y Urbanismo

Curso: Auditoría de Seguridad Vial

Course: Road Safety Audit
Módulo 1: Planificación y Gestión de las Inspecciones y
Auditorías de Seguridad Vial
Lección 1.3: Equipo de Auditoría
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team

Prof. Alfredo García

Highway Engineering Research Group

Version 1, Feb 26th, 2024

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 1

Contents
1. Learning outcomes
2. Introduction
3. Auditors
4. Training
5. Training in Spain
6. References

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 2

 Part 1
Learning Outcomes

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 3

Learning Outcomes
• Some answers for typical questions that road
safety engineers may asked:
– How do I become a road safety auditor?
– What qualifications do I need?
– What sort of training courses should I attend?
– How can I obtain the certification as road safety
auditor?
– How can I prove to someone that I can do road
safety audits?

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 4

 Part 2
Introduction

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 5

Roles and Responsibilities
RSA Exception Project Sponsor
Report (Main Officer)

RSA Team Design Team

RSA Report
(Auditors) (Leader)

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 6

Project Owner
• Highest level of commitment from the top administration
• Must work to make sure that key RSA features, and the
inclusion of all road users are part of and remain part of all RSAs
• Must set up ground rules regarding:
• How information requests will be handled,
• How meetings and other activities of the RSA team mesh with the overall
timetable for the development of the project, and
• How identified problems and suggested solutions are presented to design team
• Must ensure avoidance of possible conflicts between the
design team and the audit team and establish how conflicts, if
they occur, will be arbitrated
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 7
Road Safety Auditor
• Auditor role:
– The auditor shall have the necessary:
• Competence
• Training
• Certification
– Where audits are undertaken by teams, at least:
• One member shall hold a certificate of competence
– Audit report:
• Safety critical design elements
• Recommendations

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 8

 Part 3
Auditors

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 9

Who is the Auditor?
• Many workable variations on:
– Number of Team Members
– Team Background
– Independence of the RSA Team
– Team Leadership
– Local Representatives

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 10

Number of Team Members
• Smallest team that brings all of the necessary
knowledge and experience to the process
• Two members minimum may be adequate for
some project types
• More members needed for larger, more complex
projects or for those requiring specific expertise
• An audit team shall be:
– Fully independent of the designers
– Approved by the competent entity

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 11

Team Background
• Very important - Different types of professional
expertise:
– Road Safety Specialist:
• Causal factors, effective treatments, …
– Traffic Operations Engineer:
• Traffic analysis, signing, marking, signals, traffic calming,…
– Road Design Engineer:
• Standards and guidelines, safety impact of different roadway and
roadside elements
• More important is multidisciplinary experience:
– Human factors, maintenance, enforcement, first response,
pedestrian and bicycle treatments, transit operations, ITS, …
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 12
Competent Entity
• Competent entity is any public or private
organisation at national, regional or local level
(existing or in formation), by reason of its
competences which meet the requirements
• The competent entity maintains a register of
auditors including:
– their experience, skills, attendance at training
courses
– number of audits (per stage) performed

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 13

Independence of the RSA Team
• RSA team members may be selected from
outside or within the same public agency
• If selected within the same public agency,
team must be able to truly act independently
of the team generating the original designs
ATTENTION: Although formally NOT correct, it may be however necessary
that the Safety Auditor is auditing the designs during the design phase after
parts of the designs have been ready to accelerate the process of design-
auditing-responding to comments and remarks. This is especially true in
Concessionaire Projects or Design-Build schemes because of the time
constraints imposed by the financial institutions!

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 14

Team Leadership
• Leader should be:
– Thoroughly knowledgeable in the RSA process,
– Capable of directing the other team members
– Able to communicate effectively with the
design team and the project owner

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 15

Local Representatives
• An audit team should have an individual
knowledgeable of the project location
• A local contact person may be used as a
special resource while not necessarily being
a team member
• Representatives of State or local law
enforcement or leaders of local organizations
may be considered for this role:
– Police officer; traffic safety task force;
bicycle/pedestrian committee;…
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 16
Design Team Leader
• Is the single point of contact for the
public agency for all activities related
to the design and RSA process
• Provides the proper information to
the RSA team (scoping or planning the
study, plans, aerial photos,
environmental documents, etc.) and
arranges for objective and careful Source: AutoTURN; Transoft Solutions
consideration of the RSA team input

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 17

RSA Team
• Must fully understand the agency's RSA
policies, the parameters established for their
RSA, and their individual roles;
• Must smooth out the relationship between
designers and auditors;
• Is responsible for reporting on all safety
concerns they identify, even if the items may
be considered controversial or may need an
expensive treatment

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 18

 The eight steps recommended by FHWA to conduct an RSA, along with suggestions for
Responsibilities: RSA/Designer/Sponsor
adequately considering cyclists in the process, are described in this section. Figure 12 illustrates
the progression of these steps. The responsibilities of the project owner/design team and the
RSA team may vary during the course of an RSA.

Figure 12. Eight-Step RSA Process.

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 19

 Part 4
Training

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 20

Training of Auditors: Prerequisites
• Professional experience as road engineer
(highway design and traffic engineering) and
attendance on a recognized road safety
engineering course;
or
• Professional experience in road safety
engineering

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 21

Training of Auditors: Prerequisites
• In addition, there could be some Country Specific
Requirements:
– Countries should be free to add pre-requisite formal
qualifications in subjects such as civil engineering or
transportation, should they desire, or to ask delegates to
undertake simple tests prior to attending the course;
– Countries should be free to impose time-based restrictions on
Safety Engineering experience, to ensure that this experience has
been gained in recent years;
– Countries should be free to impose minimum time periods for
both roads and road safety engineering experience requirements
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 22
Training of Auditors: Prerequisites
• Essential: extensive experience in road safety issues
• RSA Team Leader (TL):
– Relevant university education preferably with Master’s degree in a
relevant topic such as Traffic Engineering
– Significant experience in road safety engineering (design) and/or
road traffic crash investigation
– Minimum requirements for RSA Team Leader:
• at least five years of working experience in the field of RSA and
• minimum 3 RSA Reports written in the last two years
– TL should possess a Certificate of Competence in road safety
audits (i.e. License issued by a recognized institution)
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 23
Training of Auditors: Prerequisites
• RSA Team Members (TM):
– Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree
– minimum of three years of experience in road safety engineering
(design) and road traffic crash investigation or else have had at
least 10 year’s experience in working on safety engineering or
related traffic safety fields such as traffic policing
• Auditors should:
– Possess driving license, and
– Have good knowledge of road design standards, traffic safety law,
and law on roads (knowledge of other related standards is highly
desirable)
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 24
Training of Auditors
• All prospective Safety Auditors should attend an ‘Introduction
to Road Safety Audit’ course (which can form part of the pre-
requisite training for Safety Auditors)
• Experienced Safety Auditors should attend an ‘Advanced
Road Safety Audit’ course within a period of time specified by
the Member State
– Both courses should be modular in their approach, to allow
maximum flexibility for delegates to attend courses
– Courses should include key core elements and optional elements to
allow countries to select a course programme suitable for local needs

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 25

Training Scheme for EU

SOURCE: THE EUROPEAN ROAD SAFETY AUDITOR TRAINING SYLLABUS, EURO-AUDIT

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 26

Training of Auditors
• Each country has its own auditor training and
accreditation scheme – Guideline:
– The training should include:
• Information about current safety related findings
• Application of Guidelines
• Analysis of typical safety deficits
• Analysis of real road planning and designing materials
under the aspects of road safety
• Conduct training audits under supervision
• Conduct training site inspections under supervision

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 27

Training of Auditors
• Process should include:
– Short courses at presence (3 days each)
– Intermediate homework (conducting audits)
– Road side inspections

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 28

Training of Auditors - Example Germany
• Training groups 7-15 participants

• Training phases 7 phases

• Duration 6 month aprox.

• Finalization University Certificate (expired after 3 years)

• Post-certificate Own activities in auditing + participation in professional meetings

• Renewal of certificate Personal examination

– Guideline (2009) edited by FGSV

– The BASt (Federal Highway Research Institute) registers all institutions which offer training courses according to the
Guideline and publishes a list of all road safety auditors having a valid certificate

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 29

 Part 5
Training of Auditors in Spain

Web del Programa y Pruebas de Aptitud

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 30
Orden FOM/1649/2012
• Procedimiento de acreditación y certificación de aptitud de
auditores de SV de la Red de Carreteras del Estado:
– Corresponde a la Dirección General de Carreteras la incoación,
tramitación y resolución del procedimiento de acreditación y
certificación de aptitud de auditores de seguridad viaria
• Los auditores de seguridad viaria podrán obtener certificados de aptitud en
las siguientes especialidades:
– Auditor de seguridad viaria en las fases de anteproyecto y proyecto
– Auditor de seguridad viaria en las fases previa a la puesta en servicio e inicial en servicio
• Procedimiento de acreditación y certificación:
– Realización y superación de las pruebas de aptitud
– Emisión del certificado de aptitud inicial
– Renovación periódica del certificado de aptitud
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 31
Orden FOM/1649/2012
• Procedimiento de acreditación y certificación de aptitud de
auditores de SV de la Red de Carreteras del Estado:
– Requisitos de admisión a las pruebas de aptitud:
• Tener una titulación universitaria oficial que otorgue competencias para la
redacción de proyectos de carreteras y formación específica en materia de
seguridad viaria y análisis de accidentes o, alternativamente, tener cinco
años de experiencia específica relevante en ingeniería de diseño de
carreteras, ingeniería de la seguridad viaria y análisis de accidentes
• Haber realizado dentro de los dos años naturales previos a la fecha de la
convocatoria, el programa de formación inicial de auditores de seguridad
viaria de la Red de Carreteras del Estado que establezca la Dirección
General de Carreteras, en la especialidad o especialidades para las que se
pretenda obtener la certificación de aptitud
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 32
Orden FOM/1649/2012
• Procedimiento de acreditación y certificación de
aptitud de auditores de SV de la Red de Carreteras
del Estado:
– Certificado de aptitud:
• Vigencia del inicial: 5 años
• Renovaciones por periodos de 5 años:
– Haber realizado con aprovechamiento el programa de actualización
periódica de conocimientos de auditores de SV de la DGC, al menos una
vez cada dos años naturales desde la fecha de la obtención de su
certificado inicial
• La Dirección General de Carreteras llevará un registro de los
certificados de aptitud

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 33

Programa de formación inicial de auditores
• Módulos:
– El programa consta de un módulo común a ambas
especialidades y un módulo específico correspondiente a
cada una respectivamente:
• Módulo común: Bases de las auditorias de seguridad viaria
• Módulo específico 1: Procedimientos para la realización de
auditorías de seguridad viaria en la Red de Carreteras del Estado
en las fases de anteproyecto y proyecto
• Módulo específico 2: Procedimientos para la realización de
auditorias de seguridad viaria en la Red de Carreteras del Estado
en las fases previa a la puesta en servicio e inicial en servicio

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 34

Programa de formación inicial de auditores
• Módulo común: 30 horas
– Características especificas de los proyectos de la Red de
Carreteras del Estado y procedimiento de tramitación de
proyectos por la Direccion General de Carreteras
– Metodologías y técnicas mas avanzadas para la realización de
auditorias de seguridad viaria
– Características del diseño de los elementos de la carretera a
considerar en las auditorias de seguridad viaria de la Red de
Carreteras del Estado
– Análisis de alternativas de diseño en proyectos de la Red de
Carreteras del Estado
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 35
Programa de formación inicial de auditores
• Módulos específico 1: 60 horas
– Procedimiento especifico para la realización de ASV (Red de
Carreteras del Estado) en la fase de anteproyecto y su aplicación
– Procedimiento especifico para la realización de ASV (Red de
Carreteras del Estado) en la fase de proyecto y su aplicación
– Resolución de casos prácticos de auditorias de la Red de
Carreteras del Estado en las fases de anteproyecto y proyecto
– Realización de practicas personales en casos planteados en
carreteras de la Red del Estado en las fases de anteproyecto y
proyecto

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 36

Programa de formación inicial de auditores
• Módulos específico 2: 60 horas
– Procedimiento especifico para la realización de ASV (Red de
Carreteras Estado) en fase previa a puesta en servicio y su aplicación
– Procedimiento específico para la realización de ASV de la Red de
Carreteras del Estado en la fase inicial en servicio y su aplicación
– Resolución de casos prácticos de auditorías (Red de Carreteras del
Estado) en las fases previa a la puesta en servicio e inicial en servicio
– Realización de practicas personales en casos planteados en
carreteras de la Red del Estado en las fases previa a la puesta en
servicio e inicial en servicio

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 37

 Part 6
References

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 38

References
• The European Road Safety Auditor Training Syllabus. Main
Report. October 2007. Project: EURO-AUDITS, a European
Commission co-funded project. TMS, IRF and AEC - Link
• Orden FOM/1649/2012, de 19 de julio, por la que se regula el
procedimiento de acreditación y certificación de aptitud de
auditores de seguridad viaria de la Red de Carreteras del
Estado
• Convocatoria 5º Programa de formación inicial de auditores
(2019) - Link
• Convocatoria de pruebas para la obtención de los certificados
de aptitud de auditores de seguridad viaria (2020) - Link
Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 39
 Lesson 1.3: RSA Team

• Prof. Alfredo García: agarciag@tra.upv.es

ks for your attent

T han ion

Lesson 1.3: RSA Team, Page 40