BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 28. Kazakhstan’s West
Kazakhstan and Mangystau regions have launched a large-scale
project to audit and inspect road safety using modern international
approaches to assessing transport infrastructure, according to the
country's Ministry of Transport.
The Kazakhstan Road Research Institute (KazDorNII) has started a
comprehensive survey of more than 2,400 km of regional roads,
according to the institute.
"The works will cover 2,414 km of roads, including 1,384 km in
the West Kazakhstan Region and 1,030 km in the Mangystau Region.
The main objective of the project is to identify road sections
where engineering characteristics may require additional measures
to improve road safety", the ministry said.
Unlike traditional road inspections, the audit provides a
comprehensive assessment of road infrastructure. Specialists
analyze road geometry, sight distances, pavement conditions, road
markings, traffic signs, safety barriers, shoulders, pedestrian
crossings, public transport stops, intersections and junctions to
identify areas where additional engineering solutions may be
required.
During the work, KazDorNII applies international experience in
road infrastructure safety management. The methodology is based on
practices of the Czech Republic developed with the participation of
the Transport Research Centre (CDV) in Brno, one of Europe’s
leading research institutions in the field of transport safety.
KazDorNII cooperates with the Czech institute under an existing
memorandum, which provides for experience exchange, specialist
training and the implementation of joint projects. CDV experts
participated in the implementation of the European Union Directive
2008/96/EC on road infrastructure safety management in the Czech
Republic and in the training of road safety auditors.
The survey is being conducted using a modern mobile road
laboratory. The specialized diagnostic system automatically
measures pavement longitudinal evenness, rut depth, creates a
digital surface model, detects cracks, potholes, subsidence and
other defects, and provides continuous photo and video recording of
road infrastructure.
Based on the survey results, engineering recommendations will be
prepared for each road section requiring additional measures aimed
at improving traffic safety. All identified infrastructure features
will be linked to geographic coordinates.
Following the completion of the work, a unified digital database
and a map of road sections requiring priority attention in traffic
safety planning will be created.
Experts note that the use of international experience allows
Kazakhstan to move from addressing individual road infrastructure
deficiencies toward a systematic assessment of factors affecting
road safety. Such an approach is widely used internationally and
contributes to more effective engineering decisions in the
development and operation of roads.
