The procedural guide defines road safety as adopting plans, programmes, regulations and preventive measures to reduce accidents, protecting lives and property. It gives it a separate chapter in the study report: verifying that safety standards are applied and met for the project's components and the surrounding road network. A road safety audit is the tool that reveals risks before they turn into accidents: an entrance with a short sight distance, a pedestrian crossing in the wrong place, or a truck route that crosses customers. This guide explains when a study is required for safety reasons, what the audit examines, its stages, and how to benefit from it.
When Is a Study Required for Safety Reasons?
Among the cases the guide lists for requiring a study even for small projects: if the municipality, in coordination with the regional General Traffic Department, considers that the proposed project will adversely affect road users' safety. Read: When do you need a traffic study?.
What Does the Safety Audit Examine?
- Conflict points at entrances and exits. Read: Access requirements.
- Sight distances.
- Speeds on surrounding roads and how well the design suits them.
- Pedestrian and cyclist safety (active transport).
- Markings, signals and lighting.
- Truck and service vehicle movement. Read: Loading dock design.
Audit Stages
| Stage | Objective | Example of what is found |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary design | Correcting concepts before detailing | An entrance in a dangerous spot near an intersection |
| Detailed design | Checking dimensions and markings | An insufficient turning radius for trucks |
| Pre-opening | Verification on site | A sign blocking visibility or missing lighting |
| Post-opening | Monitoring actual problems | A point where accidents or congestion recur |
The earlier the audit starts, the cheaper the fix; moving an entrance on a drawing costs nothing compared with moving it after construction.
Projects That Most Need an Audit
- Schools and projects with short peaks. Read: Road safety around schools and commercial projects.
- Fuel stations and drive-throughs. Read: Drive-through and fuel station design.
- Projects on highways or with heavy truck traffic.
- Sites during construction. Read: Traffic management during construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is safety part of every traffic study?
Yes; the seventh chapter of the report is dedicated to road safety according to the guide.
Who requests the audit?
The municipality may request it in coordination with the traffic department, or the owner may request it to reduce risks.
Does an audit mean the project is rejected?
No; its aim is to improve the design and reduce risks before opening.
Who carries out the audit?
A specialist traffic engineer, preferably independent of the design team to ensure objectivity.
Are the recommendations included in the drawings?
Yes; the recommendations are addressed in the detailed design before approval.
How Abak Engineering Consultancy Helps
Abak is an accredited engineering office that carries out road safety audits for your project at the design and operation stages, identifies risk points, and proposes practical solutions that are incorporated into the drawings. See our road safety studies service, or contact us.
Regulatory information is based on the Balady platform and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and procedures may be updated by the competent authority. Last reviewed: October 2026.