Principles of SANRAL NeTSafe and discussion of selected findings

Abstract

This presentation introduces NetSafe, a road safety evaluation tool developed over the past 15 years to support evidence-based decision-making in transport infrastructure planning. NetSafe enables users to assess road safety performance, prioritize interventions, and perform cost-benefit analyses to optimize the allocation of safety investment.The purpose of NetSafe, target audience, evolution from SARDS 8 to SARDS 9, and enhancements in NetSafe 3 will be outlined. Key improvements in the latest version include expanded analytical capabilities, a more intuitive user interface, and deeper integration of local crash data. The presentation will also cover the technical operation of NetSafe. The accident prediction model is based on two distinct approaches namely: length-based models for road segments and point-based models for intersections or specific locations. These models estimate crash frequencies using variables such as traffic volume, road geometry, and surface type. In addition, NetSafe incorporates severity estimation functions that estimate predicted fatalities, injuries, and vehicle damage costs. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the potential safety benefits of proposed interventions. Real-world applications of NetSafe will be reviewed, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying high-risk locations, justifying investment in safety upgrades, and supporting regulatory compliance. These case studies will illustrate how the tool has been used in practice by road authorities and consulting engineers across a range of project types. The presentation concludes with a discussion of the benefits of Netsafe ‒ including transparency, consistency, and cost-effectiveness ‒ as well as a brief outlook, which includes potential updates and expanded use in both strategic planning and project-level safety assessments. Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of NetSafe’s functionality, its practical value in planning, network, and project engineering contexts, and the critical role it plays in improving road safety outcomes.