Which term refers to the assessment of safety solely based on design standards?

The term that refers to the assessment of safety solely based on design standards is nominal safety. This concept emphasizes that safety evaluations and decisions can be based on the adherence to established design standards and guidelines, rather than actual performance in real-world conditions. Nominal safety assumes that if a design is compliant with safety standards, it is considered safe, regardless of how it may perform under actual operational conditions.

In contrast, other terms might refer to different aspects of safety evaluation. For instance, substantive safety focuses on the real-world outcomes and effectiveness of safety measures, considering actual accident data and performance metrics rather than merely compliance with standards. Actual safety emphasizes the real-world effectiveness and safety outcomes, while historical safety assesses past performance data and trends rather than design compliance. Understanding these distinctions is crucial when evaluating road safety practices and designing effective interventions.