Development and Property Services

Roads and Transportation

ACCIDENT PREVENTION - Engineering

The role of engineering in road safety is to provide a safe road environment for all road users. In East Ayrshire this function is carried out by the Department of Development Services.

Accident prevention measures and accident reduction measures

Accident Prevention Measures

Accident Prevention Measures are used to reduce the risk of accidents occurring as a result of:-

(a) the construction of new road schemes; and

(b) changing traffic patterns associated with new developments, be they residential, commercial or industrial.

New Road Schemes (Safety Audits)

Each roads authority when constructing new roads is legally required to take appropriate measures to reduce the possibility of accidents when the road comes into use. To satisfy this requirement, major road schemes are 'safety audited' by engineers with Accident Investigation and Prevention (AIP) experience.

Safety audit is a formal, systematic procedure which is applied at various stages of the design and construction of a road scheme. The audit examines the safety implications of new roads on all road users i.e. pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, and the main objective is to ensure that new road schemes operate as safely as possible. By applying practical road safety experience at these various stages, the possibility of unsafe features being introduced into a scheme is reduced. Consequently, the likelihood of road accidents is also reduced.

To be fully effective, the audit should be undertaken by a body independent from the design team. However, it is not practicable for all schemes to be independently audited, therefore a threshold has been adopted below which the design team 'self-audits' their own work by completing checklists. In addition to improving safety on individual schemes, 'self-auditing' helps to develop a safety ethos throughout the design organisation.

New Developments (Development Control)

Before any new development can take place, planning permission must be obtained from the planning authority. Road safety issues which may arise in the proposed development are addressed when the planning application is being considered.

When organisations other than the council wish to construct a new road, they must obtain approval from the council in the form of a 'construction consent'. This legal requirement ensures that developers' roads are constructed to the safest possible standards which are set out in the council's approved Roads Development Guide. The Guide is regularly updated to ensure that the most appropriate standards are being used for the road layout, forward visibility and other safety features associated with new development roads. The current version includes standards for traffic calming measures which physically restrict vehicle speeds to ensure that appropriate speeds are the norm once the road is opened to traffic. Developers are required to prepare Transport Impact Assessments (TIAs) for larger development proposals. The TIAs have to consider the road safety implications of the proposals on the surrounding road network and bring forward measures for:-
(a) the safe and efficient movement of traffic;
(b) facilities to cater for pedestrians and cyclists; and
(c) traffic calming in residential areas.

Accident Reduction Measures

Accident Reduction Measures are applicable to existing roads where accidents are already occurring. The following paragraphs indicate the processes involved in identifying, prioritising and monitoring accident reduction measures.

Accident Investigation and Prevention (AIP)

Each roads authority is legally required to carry out studies of road accidents and take appropriate preventative action. A proven and cost effective technique for achieving this is Accident Investigation and Prevention (AIP).
The first stage of the AIP procedure is to carry out an analysis of accident records to identify where clusters of accidents are occurring in the road network. Further, more detailed analyses are then carried out to establish the causes and severity of the accidents and to ascertain any accident trends, e.g. accidents involving right turning vehicles; child pedestrians or non-compliance with traffic signs. Where such accident patterns are identified, AIP measures can be designed to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.

For an AIP programme to work, it is essential that an accident database is maintained and that analysis is carried out regularly and systematically.
Accident analysis is also used to identify where other road safety measures are required, such as education, training, publicity and enhanced enforcement and in the formulation of road safety policy.

Priority List Of Schemes

Potential road safety schemes are identified from the analysis of injury accidents which have occurred during the most recent three year period. Those which provide the greatest accident reductions and potential benefits are included in the Road Safety Capital Programme. In determining the priorities, preference is given to sites where there have been:-

(a) a high proportion of fatal and serious accidents; and
(b) a significant number of incidents involving vulnerable road users such as elderly people, children, pedestrians and cyclists.

The Department of Development Services has undertaken a study of accidents and traffic conditions in communities on busy through routes in East Ayrshire. The findings of the study formed the basis of the programme of road safety schemes approved in June, 1997; (see Action Plan - Engineering Measures). Most schemes have now been completed or are under construction.
During the term of this Road Safety Plan, the list of schemes in the Capital Programme will be reviewed every two years.

Monitoring

Monitoring the performance of AIP schemes is carried out on a regular basis in order to identify the most effective measures.The results of these assessments will be incorporated in future Road Safety Plans.

The following paragraphs set out a number of specific accident reduction measures:

Speed Limit Review

The Department of Development Services regularly reviews existing speed limits to ensure that they are appropriate in light of road accidents, traffic volumes and pedestrian activity. New limits will be introduced where needed.
The council is participating in a national pilot study of advisory 20 mph zones. Three areas have been chosen for the trial: Lainshaw in Stewarton; Gilfoot in Newmilns; and Logan. If successful, similar schemes may be introduced in other areas.

A national trial of part-time 20 mph zones at schools is being carried out by the Government. If successful, consideration may be given to appropriate sites in East Ayrshire, following consultation with the Police, the Education Department and School Boards.
Developers will be required to provide traffic calming measures in accordance with the Roads Development Guide, to facilitate 20 mph speed limits in new residential areas.

Schools

The Development Services Department is responsible for signs and road markings near schools and for the siting of school crossing patrols. This function is carried out in consultation with the Police, Education Department and the School Boards.

In recent years, some 27% of child pedestrian accidents occurred on the journey to and from school demonstrating the need for additional safety measures. One third of these casualties occurred in close proximity to the school entrance. 'Safer Routes To School' programmes are a relatively new development which are being evaluated by some local authorities and are intended to enhance child pedestrian safety on the journey to school and reduce the school gate congestion problem.
These programmes comprise comprehensive packages of engineering and educational measures designed to encourage walking and cycling to schools and discourage pupils being transported by car. Such measures are consistent with the Government's White Paper on Integrated Transport, and East Ayrshire's policies for Community Health and Fitness. Consideration will be given to future Safer Routes to School initiatives in East Ayrshire, in conjunction with other relevant agencies.

Cycle Routes

A growth in cycle traffic is expected over the next few years due to increasing constraints on car use and active encouragement of cycling by the Government as an alternative mode of transport to the private car.

This will require the provision of leisure routes, and the introduction of measures on low trafficked urban routes to facilitate cycling to work and for other purposes. A Cycle Strategy Group meets on a regular basis to discuss these and other issues.

A grant of £5000 has been made to Sustrans towards a feasibility study of a long distance route from Dumfries through the Nith Valley into East Ayrshire to join the west coast Millennium route.

Traffic Management

The aim of traffic management is to improve traffic circulation, safety, and the environment. This is done through measures such as Traffic Regulation Orders, minor roadworks, junction improvements, the installation of traffic signals and the use of traffic signs.

Pedestrian needs are met through extensions to, and widening of footways, and through the provision of pedestrian crossing facilities, pedestrian zones and priority areas in shopping centres.

A process exists for people who are disabled to apply for an advisory parking bay on the road which is provided if the council's criteria are met.

Traffic Calming

Speeding accounts for more than a third of all road casualties in East Ayrshire and increases the risk of death or serious injury for the people who are involved in accidents. Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists are particularly at risk. Research has shown that the severity of pedestrian injuries rises significantly when the vehicle involved is travelling at higher speeds: 

• at 20 mph one pedestrian in 20 is killed and most injuries are slight;
  
• at 30 mph nearly a half of pedestrians are killed;
  
• at 40 mph nearly all pedestrians are killed.

Traffic calming measures, such as road humps, chicanes, carriageway narrowing, central islands, and enhanced road signs are used to deter high speeds, improve safety and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road.

Road Maintenance

Good maintenance of the road network is essential to provide safe passage for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Regular inspections are carried out on all public roads and footways to identify safety defects which require remedial action. A 24 hour emergency contact facility for Roads And Lighting Faults (RALF) is also available.
Highway maintenance involves repairs to signing, lighting, drainage and safety fencing, in addition to repairs to the surface of footways and carriageways. Ground maintenance operations including grass cutting and hedge and tree trimming are essential to provide safe passage and adequate visibility, particularly at junctions.
The council also has a statutory obligation to take such steps as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage of vehicles and pedestrians over public roads and footways.

Street Lighting

The principal functions of street lighting are to reduce the number of vehicle and pedestrian accidents at night and to enhance public safety and encourage people to use the streets at night.

Trunk Roads

The Scottish Office has responsibility for trunk roads, including the implementation of safety measures. In recent years they have carried out accident investigation and prevention work on the A76 and A77, and traffic calming in communities on the A76.

They have carried out a route action plan study for the A76 in East Ayrshire and a programme of safety improvement schemes has been identified.
The Secretary of State for Scotland has approved an extension of the M77 from Malletsheugh to Fenwick following a public local inquiry.

By-Passes and Dual Carriageways

The provision of by-passes is recognised to have considerable benefits in terms of movement of traffic, reduced pollution, and less risk of accidents.
A number of towns in East Ayrshire lie on busy through routes and it is noteworthy that clusters of accidents occur within these towns.

The council would wish to see by-passes provided in circumstances such as these. Likewise, there are considerable benefits in dual carriageways and the council would also wish to see a wider provision of these where appropriate.

Strathclyde Police

Great emphasis is placed by the Police Traffic Department on its ability to work closely with the Scottish Office, Unitary Authorities and Contractors to identify engineering concerns on proposed and existing road networks. To assist in this process of identifying concerns the Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit have in place computer software capable of analysing prominent accident locations, causation factors and vulnerable groups and provide a level of information not previously available to provide targeted and meaningful patrols. The appropriate use of technology in the detection of speed and red light offenders has proven to be effective in influencing driver behaviour and with continuous monitoring and planning this method of policing through engineering will flourish.