The utility of the irap star rating system in assessing (and potentially changing) the safety level of rural road intersections

Abstract

This study explores the effectiveness of the iRAP (international Road Assessment Programme) Star Rating System in assessing and improving rural road intersections, and specifically whether the simplest version of iRAP is of value in the South African context. iRAP assessments were compared with assessments and observations made at some length on site, to see whether the iRAP system sufficiently captured the most salient problems. Overall, the study showed that iRAP is a practical and effective tool which can be put to good use both to test the safety of intersections or road segments and, also, to experiment with potential interventions to see how safety can be improved most effectively.