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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation
FHWA Highway Safety Programs

Pre-construction Phase: Prompt List 1 – Planning Stage Audit

 

General Topics

  1. Scope of project, function, traffic mix, road users
  2. Type and degree of access to property and developments
  3. Major generators of traffic
  4. Staging of construction
  5. Future reconstruction projects
  6. Wider network effects

Design Issues

  1. Route choice
  2. Impact of continuity with the existing network
  3. Broad design standards
  4. Design speed
  5. Design volume and traffic characteristics
  6. Right of way
  7. Combination of features

Intersections

  1. Location, spacing types
  2. 'Readability' (perception) by drivers
  3. Road users, traffic mix
  4. Design consistency
  5. Number of lanes

Interchanges

  1. Location, spacing
  2. Types, layouts
  3. Ramps, terminal intersections
  4. Design consistency
  5. Number of lanes

Environmental

  1. Surrounding terrain
  2. Weather, sunlight
  3. Noise barriers, animal fencing
  4. Animal crossings
  5. Visual distractions
  6. Unstable land

Safety Aspects Not Already Covered

Flooding, rail crossings, roadside parking, special events, emergency vehicles, rest areas, etc.