USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                    About FHWAFHWA Organization
                Headquarters Offices
                Field Offices
                Strategic Plan
                Business Opportunities
                Staff Directories
                Careers
                Highway History
                Contact UsProgramsAcquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                Safety
                Browse by TopicsResourcesCore Highway Topics
                Federal Aid Essentials
                Automation
                Complete Streets
                Laws and Regulations
                Policy & Guidance Center
                Section 508
                Publications and Statistics
                Professional Development
                National Highway Institute
                Resource Center
                Accessibility Resource Library
                FHWA Research LibraryNewsroomPress Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Photos
                Videos
                Media ContactsMenu FHWA Highway Safety Programs Home
                        FHWA Road Safety Audit Guidelines


            
            In This Section
        Safety Data Analysis & Tools
                Crash Modification Factor Clearinghouse
                Roadway Safety Data Program (RSDP)
                                Overview
                Data Driven Safety Analysis
                Data Management
                Safety Data Analysis Tools
                Local Data Integration
                Technical Assistance
                Case Studies
                Training
                Resources
                Highway Safety Manual (HSM)
                Model Inventory of Roadway Elements (MIRE) and FDEs
                Systemic
                                Overview
                Why Systemic
                Training
                Resources
                Road Safety Audits
                                Overview
                Benefits
                Legal Issues
                Steps of Conduct
                Training
                Resources
                
                Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 2 – Preliminary Design Stage Audit
General Topics

Drainage
	Landscaping
	Utility accommodations
	Access to property and developments
	Adjacent developments
	Emergency vehicles and access
	Future reconstruction projects (widening and/or realignments)
	Staging of construction
	Maintenance
	Human factors
	Changes since previous auditDesign Issues

Design Standards
	Typical cross sections and recovery zones
	Effect of cross sectional variation
	Roadway layout
	Shoulders and edge treatment
	Effect of departures from standards or guidelines
	Flexibility of the design
	Design consistencyAlignment Details

Geometry of horizontal and vertical alignment
	Visibility and sight distance
	New/existing road transitions
	'Readability' (perception) of the alignment by driversIntersections

Visibility to and visibility at intersections
	Layout, including the appropriateness of type
	'Readability' (perception) by drivers
	Pedestrians, bicyclists
	Design consistencyInterchanges

Visibility
	Layout, control
	Lanes, shoulders
	Ramps
	Pedestrians, bicyclists
	Design consistency
	Clearances, visual perception of structuresSpecial Road Users

Adjacent land
	Pedestrians
	Bicyclists
	Older drivers
	Motorcyclists
	Equestrians and stock
	Motor carriers
	Public transport
	Road maintenance vehicles
	Snowmobiles and ATVs
	Special (slow moving) vehiclesLighting, Signs and Delineation

Lighting
	Signs
	Marking and delineationTraffic Management

Traffic flow and access restrictions
	Passing and merges
	Rest areas and stopping zones
	Construction and operationEnvironmental Constraints

Surrounding terrain
	Weather, sunlight
	Noise barriers, animal fencing
	Animal crossings
	Visual distractions
	Unstable landSafety Aspects Not Already Covered

Special events, consequent unusual or hazardous conditions, oversize vehicles, etc.
      
  Book traversal links for Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 2 – Preliminary Design Stage Audit
      ‹ Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 1 – Planning Stage Audit
                    Up
                    Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 3 – Final Design Stage Audit ›
                
                Book:FHWA Road Safety Audit Guidelines
              Preface
                1.0 Introduction
                2.0 Implementation of Road Safety Audits
                3.0 Overview of Road Safety Audit Process
                4.0 Conducting Road Safety Audits
                5.0 Pre-construction Road Safety Audits
                6.0 Construction Road Safety Audits
                7.0 Post-construction Road Safety Audits
                8.0 Road Safety Audit Prompt Lists
                Prompt List
                Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 1 – Planning Stage Audit
                Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 2 – Preliminary Design Stage Audit
                Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 3 – Final Design Stage Audit
                Construction Phase: Prompt List 4 – Work Zone Traffic Control Plan Audit
                Construction Phase: Prompt List 5 – Pre-Opening Stage Audit
                Post-construction Phase: Prompt List 6 – Existing Road Audit
                Development Projects: Prompt List 7 – Land Use Development Proposals Audit
                Appendix A
                Appendix B U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Highway Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About
  

        
              About FHWA
                Careers
                Org Chart
                Staff Directories
                Work with UsPrograms
  

        
              Acquisition Management
                Civil Rights
                Federal Lands Highway
                Infrastructure
                Innovative Program Delivery
                Operations
                Planning, Environment, and Realty
                Policy
                Research, Development, and Technology
                SafetyPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Accessibility
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web StandardsNews & Events
  

        
              Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches & Testimony
                Media Contacts
                Connect with Us