Organisation: EuroRAP
Date uploaded: 16th August 2011
Date published/launched: September 2009
The approach of Star Rating and subsequent development of Safer Roads Investment Plans represents a systematic approach to road infrastructure design and renewal, based on research about where severe crashes are likely and predictable.
The Star Ratings and Safer Road Investment Plans are related by the detailed road condition report that is collected during inspections.
Star Ratings involve an inspection of road infrastructure elements that are known to have an impact on the likelihood of a crash and its severity. Between 1 and 5-stars are awarded depending on the level of safety which is ‘built-in’ to the road.
The safest roads (4- and 5-star) have road safety features that are appropriate for the prevailing traffic speeds. Road infrastructure elements on a safe road might include separation of opposing traffic by a wide median or barrier, good line-marking and intersection design, wide lanes and sealed (paved) shoulders, roadsides free of unprotected hazards such as poles.
The least safe roads (1- and 2-star) do not have road safety features that are appropriate for the prevailing traffic speeds. EuroRAP analyses show that these are often single-carriageway roads with relatively high posted speed limits, with frequent curves and intersections, narrow lanes, gravel shoulders, poor line markings, hidden intersections and unprotected roadside hazards such as trees, poles and steep embankments close to the side of the road.
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