INGENIEUR
INGENIEUR
Several elements ( Figure 1 ) are vital for a sustainable iRAP programme to generate high impact outcomes in the long term . Road assessment covers road surveys , star ratings and identification of high impact treatment programmes — the findings of which are to be channelled to the road authorities ( for implementation of road improvement works ) and road users ( as safety information for travelling plans ). In addition , research and development activities will run parallel to all the above to discover new findings and improve the existing models .
Each stakeholder of the programme has its roles and responsibilities in at least one of the elements . In view of the need to institutionalise the programme , so as to create a strong partnership among the stakeholders and to co-ordinate programme activities , a steering committee was formed under the Cabinet Committee for Road Safety chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister . The steering committee comprises heads of Government agencies that have direct interests in the ownership and safety of the roads , and is chaired by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport .
The terms of reference for the steering committee are set in line with the different roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder so as to ensure that the ‘ burden ’ is shared equally . Besides determining selection criteria for roads to be surveyed and monitoring the progress , the committee played a vital role in co-ordinating the effort among agencies in each Ministry to expedite road improvement works . Another critical role of the steering committee is establishing funding mechanisms to sustain the programme . Apart from costs for road improvement which is to be covered by the Government ( for public roads ) and concessionaires ( for tolled roads ), operating costs to carry out road assessments , i . e . road surveys and data analysis , amount to a significant portion of the total programme expenses .
the road geometrics were found to be adequate in terms of safety requirements , certain improvements to the roadside environment were found to be worth investigating . As far as reducing the risk of getting killed or seriously injured in a run-off crash is concerned , making hazardous objects or environment less severe is very critical .
Acknowledging the fact that certain roadside sections are hazardous to drivers , a number of ‘ quick-fix ’ countermeasure programmes were identified and endorsed by the steering committee . The presence of a retaining wall within the clear zone for example ( Figure 2a ), will expose errant drivers to high risk of sustaining serious injuries
a ) Source : MIROS , 2015
Assessment of Major Rural Expressways
In the first phase of the programme , a total of 2,370 km of rural expressways ( both directions ) were surveyed and star rated . While most of b ) Source : PLUS , 2017
Figure 2 : Retaining wall on the left ( a ) and installation of semi-rigid crash barrier ( b ).
12 VOL 70 APRIL-JUNE 2017