Annex II BIS - Asian Highway Design Standards for Road Safety

This document shall be read in conjunction with other documents forming the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network.

The contents of this document are structured in the following wording:

• “Shall” and “shall not” give mandatory requirements
• “Should” and “should not” give recommendations which are expected to be adopted unless there is a strong reason otherwise
• “May” and “need not” indicate potentially desirable options depending on circumstances

Asian Highway network member countries shall make every effort to comply with the design standards and are encouraged to give thorough consideration in adopting the recommendations given in the related design guidelines.

Member countries are encouraged to ensure that new roads of the Asian Highway network are 3-star or better (based on star ratings of the International Road Assessment Programme) for all road users and that more than 75 per cent of travel on existing roads is 3-star or better for all road users.

Member countries shall undertake road safety audit for road improvement projects in the Asian Highway network. Member countries shall also conduct road safety inspection (also known as road safety audit in some countries) for designated Asian Highway routes, within a reasonable time frame and at regular intervals, in accordance with practices in the respective countries.

Road safety infrastructure facilities shall be provided in the network with the view of optimized provision and consistency. The need for adequate flexibility is acknowledged given the existing road conditions and diverse circumstances among member countries.

Adequate attention should be given to the integration of road safety infrastructure facilities with streetscape design and the landscape as well as mitigation of any adverse impacts on the environment. Countries shall take advantage of the following road improvement projects and activities to elevate road safety in the Asian Highway network:

• Online road improvement or upgrading projects
• New bypass projects
• New addition of roads to the Asian Highway network
• Dedicated road safety improvement projects
• Routine maintenance activities

Where design speed or speed limit are quoted as criteria, due consideration should be given to the actual operating speeds of traffic.

The terms “nearside” and “offside” refer to the right side and left side respectively in the direction of travel where driving is on the right side of aroad. They refer to the left side and right side respectively in the direction of travel where driving is on the left side of a road. Nearside and offside are equivalent to passenger side and driver side respectively.

It is at the liberty of member countries and other bodies to make use of this document for roads other than Asian Highway routes.