South African Road Federation Launches Inaugural Road Safety Engineering Course
South African Road Federation (SARF)
Building the efficiency of SA's roads through training and promoting effective road management practices for 70 years
Midrand, South Africa – October 30, 2023 – In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety and reducing the burden of road traffic accidents, the South African Road Federation (SARF) has unveiled its first Road Safety Engineering Course. The course, which commenced on the 30th of October, is set to equip engineers, technicians, and technologists with the knowledge and skills needed to implement road safety improvements in line with Safe System principles.
Led by the esteemed Mr. Siegfried Grosskopf, a seasoned professional engineer with extensive international experience in road safety engineering and audit, the course aims to leverage engineering principles and accident data analysis to identify cost-effective road design and traffic management solutions that can minimize the number and severity of road accidents.
Road Safety Engineering, at its core, focuses on analysing road and traffic-related accident information to make roads safer for all users. By integrating infrastructure, vehicles, and users while maintaining appropriate speed limits, the course aligns with the Safe System Approach, emphasising "safe users on safe roads in safe vehicles at safe speeds."
The Road Safety Engineering Course is a vital step in preparing professionals for registration as Road Safety Auditors with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). It underpins the Road Safety Audit course, also offered by SARF, and is currently presented by Dr. Louis Roodt and Mr. Andile Gqaji, both of whom are attending the inaugural Road Safety Engineering Course.
The South African Road Safety Audit Manual (SARSAM) was updated in 2022, emphasising the Safe System Approach to road safety enhancement. SARF recognises the need for specialised training in road safety engineering to support and reinforce this approach. SARF has been instrumental in training road safety auditors following SARSAM guidelines for several years. The Road Safety Audit course will be updated to align with the revised SARSAM Guidelines.
Engineers, technologists, and registered road safety auditors are required to engage in regular relevant continuous professional development (CPD), making the Road Safety Engineering Course a crucial component of their professional growth.
The Road Safety Engineering Course serves as the foundation for road safety auditors, road authorities, highway designers, and maintenance engineers, all working towards the common goal of reducing injuries and fatalities resulting from road traffic accidents.
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The course is designed to introduce participants to the fundamental principles of road safety engineering and how human factors can impact road user safety in various conditions. Its objectives include providing a background in road safety engineering, improving engineers' effectiveness in this field, enhancing understanding of human factors, and the ability to identify and address accident-prone locations on existing roads or prevent accidents by proactively eliminate unsafe features in road designs. It also provides an introduction to Design for Safety and the identification of appropriate safety mitigation measures.
Structured as a five-day workshop-style course, it combines theoretical aspects and practical syndicate work. The training emphasizes six key elements: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation.
With the launch of this comprehensive Road Safety Engineering Course, SARF takes a pivotal step in improving road safety standards across the counry, ensuring that South Africa's roads are safer for all users and ultimately contributing to a significant reduction in road traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
As professionals undertake this training and work together with road authorities and designers, the vision of a safer and more secure road network in South Africa becomes increasingly attainable
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