TMS Consultancy

Aerial view of a school and its large playground, located in the middle of a housing state.

Safety Assessments

What is a Safety Assessment?

A Safety Assessment, sometimes known as a Road Safety Review, is an independent comparative assessment of the road safety implications of different scheme options, or a comparative assessment of risks to different road users within one design option. Safety Assessments require, as their base, some understanding and application of risk assessment techniques.

This comparative assessment does provide an opportunity to assess the safety implications of fundamental design principles. The opportunity to make comparative assessments makes Safety Assessments an ideal tool for use within the early stages of design – particularly within a Transport Assessment for a development proposal.

How does a Safety Assessment differ to a Road Safety Audit?

The principal task within a Road Safety Audit is to identify highway elements with the potential to contribute to injury, together with the road users who could be hurt in those situations. This “hazard identification” process works well in a system where the detail of a scheme has been determined, and where the client wishes to know what the safety consequences are and how to minimise them. On that basis, for most design stage Road Safety Audits, the Safety Auditor accepts the fundamental principles presented for design and does not seek to redesign schemes. They identify the road safety issues within the design and suggest appropriate measures that will improve road safety. Hazard identification works less well in a comparative situation. For example, at the feasibility stage of a large scheme, there may be options between routes, or between forms of junction control. Whilst a conventional Road Safety Audit can provide a list of hazards associated with each option, it does not compare the relative risk of each of those hazards. In this situation a Safety Assessment is required.

How can we help?

TMS has extensive experience in carrying out Safety Assessments on a wide range of schemes for a variety of clients including Primary Schools, University Campuses, Football Clubs, Residential Developments, Supermarkets, Large Retail/Entertainment Complexes and Car Park Layouts.

TMS can carry out independent Safety Assessments in isolation, or alternatively some clients request a Safety Assessment in addition to a Road Safety Audit.  A Safety Assessment allows for a more all-rounded, holistic approach to their scheme.

Coventry University campus during autumn, with students walking around.
The shop front of an ASDA supermarket with lots of customers and cars outside.

Examples of previous Safety Assessments carried out:

  • Teesside Park Shopping Centre, Stockton-on-Tees
  • University of Warwick Campus – Pedestrian and Cycle Routes
  • Oxford University (Internal Roads)
  • Oxford Science Park Cycle Infrastructure
  • Highwood Primary School, Bushey, Watford
  • ASDA, Highbridge, Somerset
  • Ash Green School – Ash Green Lane, Coventry
  • Manor Kingsway, Derby – A5111/A38 Island
  • McDonalds & Costa Coffee, Newmarket
  • Moseley Station, Moseley, Birmingham
  • Traffic Signs for Bridges, Warwickshire (18 sites)
  • ASDA, London Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport
  • Brentford Football Club, London
  • West Suffolk Operational Hub, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
  • Wyre Forest Emergency Hub, Stourport Road, Kidderminster

Speak to our team

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific project requirements, then please call Lorna Styring on 024 7669 0900 or email Lorna direct.

Alternatively, if you would like to contact us through our website, please click below.  The General Enquiry form will also be submitted direct to Lorna, who will respond accordingly.

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