Connecting to Empower Mobility: The Theme for the IRF World Congress 2024 is Unveiled
The International Road Federation (IRF) is excited to announce the theme for the upcoming IRF World Congress 2024, scheduled to take place in the vibrant city of Istanbul on 15-18 October 2024. Organised every four years, this landmark event, with a legacy spanning nearly seven decades, continues to celebrate the road and mobility sectors as instrumental forces for growth and development.
The theme, "Connecting to Empower Mobility: Roads as Enablers of a Sustainable Future for All", encapsulates the core ethos of the congress. This rallying call emphasises the profound role of roads in fostering connectivity and mobility in all its forms while underscoring a commitment to shaping a sustainable future that is inclusive and resilient.
With a history of being a focal point for industry leaders, decision-makers, and professionals, the IRF World Congress is more than an event; it is a unique platform that catalyses thought-leadership, facilitates business development, and promotes education in the road and mobility sectors.
"The chosen theme reflects our dedication to envisioning a future where roads serve as pathways to empower mobility in all its forms - whether on foot, on a bicycle, on public transport or a motor vehicle, in urban or rural areas – thus connecting communities and fostering sustainable development on a global scale", said IRF President, Mr Anouar Benazzouz. "The IRF World Congress 2024 will be an inspiring journey on how to pave the way for a future where roads are part of a transportation system that unites, empowers, and provides access to opportunities to all", he added.
While the comprehensive programme details, including the technical conference, large exhibition, and rich programme of technical visits, will be unveiled in due course, the theme sets the stage for a congress that promises to be a gathering of minds focused on driving positive change in the road and mobility sectors.
Mark your calendars as the call for abstracts will be out early January! For more information on the IRF World Congress visit this page or contact the IRF at info@irfnet.ch.
Analysing, Enhancing, and Securing Junction Safety with AI
The SWISSTRAFFIC Group conducted an in-depth analysis of an existing complex junction for the Vosges Departmental Council, which had been causing safety problems when entering and exiting the junction. The objective was to identify potential safety concerns and propose effective redesign measures. Additionally, an accurate count, classification, and origin/destination analysis of mobility were crucial to better understand the traffic dynamics within the junction.
To meet the requirements, the SWISSTRAFFIC Group introduced its innovative solution swissTRAFFIC AI – an autonomous pole-mounted camera with in-built AI processing. The swissSCOUT AI is able to autonomously process a whole week of real-time video, monitor the system remotely, and automatically retrieve the analysed data. The swissSCOUT AI's artificial intelligence enables counting and classification into 14 categories, with accurate lane tracking at the level of a large junction and warning of near-miss risk areas. The assessment of the risk of near misses is based on automated AI recognition of potential conflicts between directional movements on the road.
The study transferred the entire Origin/Destination (O/D) matrix, which was classified in 15-minute intervals, as well as the matrix of near misses, which reported several risk situations throughout the week of analysis. Artificial intelligence also made it possible to visualise the trajectories at the intersection in the form of a heat map.
Compared to studies conducted with investigators or other technologies, the Artificial Intelligence used by SWISSTRAFFIC Group enables more detailed surveys of counts, instantaneous speeds, and source/destination over long and more representative periods of time, day and night, without the need for external lighting. The data collected allows modelling software to be fed with accurate data. Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool in recognising near misses to take concrete and reasoned action.
George runs 30 Marathons in 30 Months for 30km/h Speed Limit in all Cities
George Yannis is a Professor in Traffic and Safety Engineering and Director of the Department of Transportation Planning and Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). After more than 30 years of dedication to road safety science and several marathon races, he decided to combine both passions for a cause: to run 30 marathons in 30 months in order to actively promote the adoption of 30km/h speed limit in as many cities as possible worldwide. By running marathons, during these 30 months, he will promote the 30 km/h city-wide speed limits as the best paradigm for safer, healthier, and greener cities.
Road crashes is a major societal problem worldwide, with 1,19 million road fatalities per year and estimated 50 million of road injuries. Speeding is the number one cause of road crashes worldwide, especially in cities where pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists are highly exposed and vulnerable in case of a collision.
Scientists urge continuously for lower speeds worldwide; however, speeding remains a model and sought-after behaviour among most drivers and riders, especially the young, and is very often promoted or largely tolerated by society, the authorities, and the industry.
Lately, some city authorities have started to understand the fatal role of speeding on city streets and attempt to implement policies of lower speeds, often through the adoption of smaller or larger zones with speed limit of 30 km/h; in some cases, covering the whole city (e.g. Europe's capital, Brussels). Scientific evidence so far demonstrates more than 40% lives saved with the introduction of 30km/h zones; in parallel to significant environmental, energy, and health impacts with less fuel consumption and more walking and cycling.
The discussion and introduction of 30 km/h city zones faces strong reactions and rigid inertia, whereas supporters' voices are weak and inefficient, resulting in hesitant politicians and authorities. That is the reason why George decided to step beyond the continuous scientific pleas and promote more actively the 30 km/h city through his challenge of 30 marathons in 30 months.
During the 30 months, he will focus on scientific planning and preparation, systematic effort, and continuous monitoring, and dedication in order to complete the 30 marathons. He knows exactly the skills that are needed by any city to change and achieve steady progress towards sustainable city mobility.
This challenge is not an easy one for him at his age, but he is convinced that it is fully worth trying it and supporting as loudly as possible the new paradigm of safer, healthier, and greener cities through the 30 km/h zones. The sooner they are adopted, the more lives are saved and this is the highest compensation for his cause.
He will do his best to mobilise the society, the authorities, the industry, and everyone involved in the decision-making process to change the current speedy patterns of city transport towards safe, healthy and green mobility everywhere and for all. Starting with the globally recognised research group, the NTUA Road Safety Observatory and the wide network of our worldwide cooperations, George will ally with everyone who wishes to make the voice of 30km/h cities as strong as possible, as soon as possible.
Learn more at www.georgeruns30x30.com
From Urban Heat to Biomimetic Design: How Digital Tools Can Support Greener Cities
Earlier in 2023, Arup launched UHeat, a tool that identifies areas of towns and cities that are experiencing the urban heat island (UHI) effect. It’s a growing problem in many cities, with profound health impacts, particularly for older, more vulnerable members of the population and those who work outdoors.
Assessing where the issue is being caused, and by what, is where UHeat has particular value. UHeat takes advantage of the power of machine learning to analyse huge volumes of satellite imagery (you can learn more about our related Terrain tool, here). It then tags the materials and other causes that are pushing up the temperature, those combinations of glass, steel, tarmac, vehicles, air conditioning units, data centres and other urban development that are raising average temperatures, compounding the effects of climate change.
For city authorities and commercial developers, UHeat is a valuable tool, offering new insights to those tackling a problem that damages lives and cities’ future viability at the same time. It enables those in power to understand where the problem is, what the causes are, and to model or simulate the most effective mitigations.
But at a greater scale UHeat points to the need for a far more radical vision of urban development, one where nature has fully returned to the cities we live in, where urban greenery and waterways are a central part of what a city ‘is’, not just a peripheral element around which we have built.
Learning from Singapore
The densely populated city state of Singapore shows what is possible. This tropical garden city has long understood the need for natural temperature control and has been pioneering what we now call ‘biophilic design’, where nature is both teacher and solution.
It’s a country that has long known that it’s running out of space. It faces constraints on its natural and forested land. Its tropical climate and humidity are exacerbated by climate change. And with over 8,000 people per square kilometre, the city faces predictably intense UHI problems.
Using UHeat, ARUP's latest urban heat snapshot captures what they’ve achieved and where problems persist. ARUP uses the tool to analyse the entire city in detail, identifying a large cluster within the Singapore Central Business District (CBD) – including not only high-rise areas but also historical low-rise streets – as the most extreme “hot spots” in Singapore, experiencing temperatures 6°C higher than their rural surroundings. When compared to the city’s coolest spot in the Upper Pierce Reservoir, this cluster is 6.5°C hotter.
Outside the CBD, neighbourhoods experiencing temperatures of at least 5°C above rural surroundings include Orchard, Little India, Marine Parade, Kampong Ubi and Sembawang. The cool zones are mostly located in areas with forests or reservoirs. This includes the central catchment area, the vegetated area located in Lim Chu Kang, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve as well as the region located at Khatib Bongsu.
The implication is clear: our cities need to incorporate greenery, water, and other natural features if the overheating is to stop.
The fact that areas near water bodies and greenery are cooler spots is evidence that nature-based solutions are incredibly effective at both taming temperature rise and providing an environment-led vision for attractive and enjoyable places to live. It’s a development ethos where natural cycles of vegetation are core to a place’s identity, where green areas and canal systems connect communities and natural absorption of rainwater reduces flood risks.
Of course, to achieve this level of impact requires thoughtful and detailed planning.
Greening the City
To tackle the intensifying UHI effect, Singapore has developed the Singapore Green Plan 2030 which encompasses targets of increasing vegetation and new parks, ensuring every household is located within a 10-minute walk from a park. Additionally, researchers are developing a Cooling Singapore 2.0 project culminating in the Digital Urban Climate Twin (DUCT) for Singapore, which integrates relevant computational models and region- and micro-scale climate models.
At a more conceptual level, many designers are now turning to biomimetic design – where solutions incorporate characteristics, qualities, and systems from nature itself. Some years ago, Arup contributed environmental engineering to the canopies at Clarke Quay, a popular area for tourists. The canopy known as the ‘angels’, embodies this biomimetic ethos, comprising umbrella-like structures that provide solar shading and rain protection. It was also intended to protect pedestrians from increasing heat. The frames also support large 'whale tail’ slow-speed fans that provide a low-level artificial breeze in the streets. It also demonstrates that solving experiential challenges can lead to creative and popular designs that really add to a city’s appeal.
More recently, Yishun, a former industrial district, has been exploring how to reimagine itself as a residential area, where buildings were transformed rather than demolished, and where nature takes prominence within the scheme. ARUP's work on this proposal includes a network of greenways, to ensure that the area stays cool and liveable once residents move in. It’s an example of environment-led design thinking.
Digital: Enabling Sustainability at Scale
As a digital tool, UHeat enables smarter long-term thinking, enabling city planners to consider the future with greater confidence. It reminds us that a greener, natural future depends on advanced data-driven tools and insights.
ARUP chose Singapore as another demonstration of UHeat’s value because, somewhat uniquely, the country has a 50-year vision for its future development. Its administration has shown a willingness to look at the predictions, then learn from and respond to them. Climate change challenges us all, wherever we are, to think on these grander timelines. UHeat, among other digital solutions, can play a vital role in helping us to scale up the mitigations that our towns and cities urgently need.
Cooling the Region
Tools like UHeat can help authorities understand the impacts, bring forward better policy and planning guidance, and be used by developers to sympathetically future-proof new developments to the growing challenges of our all-too-predictable future climate. The power of this tool lies in its ability to map out the existing status of a city's urban heat issue and empower better decision-making. The tool has clear relevance and value for other cities in the Southeast Asia region, many of which are dealing with similar levels of UHI effect as Singapore.
Data Synergy: IRF World Road Statistics Contribute Valuable Insights to the WHO 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety
The transport community witnessed an important moment on 13 December 2023, as the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled its highly anticipated 2023 Global Status Report on Road Safety. This new report captures an update on the current magnitude of global road traffic deaths, whilst also serving as a comprehensive retrospective on the achievements and challenges of the past decade.
As we advance through the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, this report sets a transformative baseline for understanding and addressing the complexities of road safety worldwide.
As part of a collaborative effort, the International Road Federation (IRF) contributed essential data points from its World Road Statistics to enrich the WHO report. This partnership underscores a commitment to revolutionising global road safety, offering a nuanced understanding that lays the foundation for transformative initiatives.
Unifying Official Figures and Expert Assessments for a Global Road Safety Perspective
Produced by the IRF for the past six decades, the World Road Statistics are a comprehensive source of up-to-date road and transport data, available for free through the IRF Data Warehouse.
Meticulously compiled, the WRS primarily reports on figures from primary statistical sources—data reported directly by countries. However, in the case of road fatalities, the WRS data additionally reports on WHO estimates for road fatalities. This deliberate inclusion reflects the belief that WHO estimations offer valuable insights that complement officially reported data.
By integrating WHO data into the WRS report, a more nuanced picture emerges, combining official statistics with expert estimations. This collaboration enhances the accuracy and depth of the data set, offering policymakers, researchers, and the public a more comprehensive perspective on the challenges and progress in road safety.
In order to provide users with a comparison between reported and estimated road fatalities, the International Road Federation (IRF) plans to swiftly update the WRS Data Warehouse with the new figures from the WHO 2023 report.
As we navigate the ongoing Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021 – 2030), this collaboration stands as a testament to the power of partnerships in addressing complex global challenges.
Visit www.worldroadstatistics.org to learn more about the IRF World Road Statistics and Data Warehouse.
Despite Notable Progress, Road Safety Remains An Urgent Global Issue
The annual number of road traffic deaths fell slightly to 1.19 million per year, according to the latest WHO report. Yet with more than 2 deaths occurring per minute and over 3200 per day, road traffic crashes remain the leading killer of children and youth aged 5–29 years.
The latest WHO global status report on road safety 2023 shows that, since 2010, road traffic deaths have fallen by 5% to 1.19 million annually. Yet, road crashes remain a persistent global health crisis, with pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users facing an acute and rising risk of death.
“The tragic tally of road crash deaths is heading in the right direction, downwards, but nowhere near fast enough,” says WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “The carnage on our roads is preventable. We call on all countries to put people rather than cars at the centre of their transport systems, and ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.”
Among UN Member States, 108 countries reported a drop in road traffic-related deaths between 2010 and 2021. Ten countries succeeded in reducing road traffic deaths by over 50%: Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, the Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Thirty-five more countries made notable progress, reducing deaths by 30% to 50%.
Global burden and vulnerable users
The report shows that 28% of global road traffic deaths occurred in the WHO South-East Asia Region, 25% in the Western Pacific Region, 19% in the African Region, 12% in the Region of the Americas, 11% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and 5% in the European Region.
Nine in 10 deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, and fatalities in these countries are disproportionately higher when set against the number of vehicles and roads they have. The risk of death is 3 times higher in low-income than high-income countries, yet low-income countries have just 1% of the world’s motor vehicles.
Fifty-three per cent of all road traffic fatalities are vulnerable road users including: pedestrians (23%); riders of powered two- and three-wheelers such as motorcycles (21%); cyclists (6%); and users of micro-mobility devices such as e-scooters (3%). Deaths among car and other 4-wheeled light vehicle occupants fell slightly to 30% of global fatalities.
“Our mission at Bloomberg Philanthropies is to save and improve as many lives as possible, and one of the best ways to do that is to make more of the world’s roads safe for all,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, who also wrote a foreword for the report. “For more than a decade now, we’ve made encouraging progress together with the World Health Organization and our partners. Still, as this new report makes clear, road safety demands stronger commitments from governments worldwide – and we’ll continue to urge more leaders to take lifesaving action.”
Pedestrian deaths rose 3% to 274 000 between 2010 and 2021, accounting for 23% of global fatalities. Deaths among cyclists rose by nearly 20% to 71 000, accounting for 6% of global deaths. Meanwhile, research indicates that 80% of the world’s roads fail to meet pedestrian safety standards and just 0.2% have cycle lanes, leaving these road users dangerously exposed. And while 9 in 10 people surveyed identify as pedestrians, just a quarter of countries have policies to promote walking, cycling and public transport.
Call for Better Standards and Policies
The report reveals an alarming lack of progress in advancing laws and safety standards. Just six countries have laws that meet WHO best practice for all risk factors (speeding, drink–driving, and use of motorcycle helmets, seatbelts and child restraints) while 140 countries (two-thirds of UN Member States) have such laws for at least one of these risk factors. Of note, 23 of these countries modified their laws to meet WHO best practice since the Global status report on road safety 2018.
The global motor-vehicle fleet is set to double by 2030. Yet just 35 countries – less than a fifth of UN Member States – legislate on all key vehicle safety features (e.g. advanced braking systems, front- and side-impact protection, etc). The report also reveals major gaps in ensuring safe road infrastructure, with just 51 countries – a quarter of UN Member States – having laws that require safety inspections that cover all road users.
NOTE TO EDITORS
The WHO Global status report on road Safety 2023 is the fifth in a series measuring progress in reducing road traffic deaths. This report covers progress between 2010 and 2021 and sets a baseline for efforts to meet the United Nations Decade of Action 2021–2030 target to halve road traffic deaths by 2030.
This report was produced with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Since 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies has committed $500 million to support road safety interventions in low- and middle- income countries and cities across the world.
Ten Step Tanzania Project Receives Prince Michael International Award
The world-first Ten Step Tanzania Project, which has built sustainable institutional capacity, impact, and partnerships to eliminate high-risk roads in Tanzania, has been honoured with a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award today in London.
Jointly funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (UKAid), through the Global Road Safety Facility (GRSF) of the World Bank, the 30-month pilot project aimed to curb the more than 16,000 people (estimated) who die on Tanzania's roads each year.
Under the guidance of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the project was implemented by a consortium led by the International Road Federation (IRF) headquartered in Geneva,Switzerland, and made up of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the World Road Association (PIARC) and the Tanzania Roads Association (TARA). It brought together the Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), Roads Fund Board, National Institute of Transport (NIT), as well as other leading institutions, road safety NGOs and industry stakeholders in Tanzania.
The project led to the shaping of a National Training, Accreditation and Certification Scheme to build local capacity for the assessment, audit and design of safer roads. Over 500 road safety stakeholders were trained in how to make Tanzania’s roads safer, and the number of certified Road Safety Auditors and iRAP Accredited practitioners was rapidly expanded. As a result, Tanzania has now been ranked second in the world in terms of iRAP Accreditation.
Thanks to the assessments performed during the project – using the global iRAP methodology –infrastructure safety was expanded to more than 10,000 km and associated investment plans were developed to optimise the reduction in road trauma and provide the business case for safer roads at the national and corridor level. They are helping to shape safety recommendations that can influence more than USD$1 billion of development bank-financed transport corridor projects in the country.
Among key milestones delivered by the project were recommendations for a National Road Infrastructure Safety Strategy and Action Plan, and for the revision of the Tanzania Road Geometric Design Manual, prioritising the safety of all road users.
TanRAP, a locally owned and led Road Assessment Programme for Tanzania, was also launched led by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT). TanRAP continues to build capacity, develop evidence-based policy and improve the safety of road infrastructure through results-based financing in the country in partnership with other leading stakeholders such as PO-RALG, RFB, TANROADS, TARURA, TARA, NIT, Road Safety Ambassadors (RSA), development banks, mobility clubs, road safety NGOs and industry.
Project results and ongoing TanRAP activity will support the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 in Tanzania, which provides a roadmap for how countries can halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards are presented to organisations in recognition of their outstanding contribution to improving road safety.
In awarding the Ten Step Project, the judges advised they were “especially impressed by the comprehensive nature of the plan and the involvement of so many organisations in its delivery. It is without doubt an example which should be replicated in other regions”.
Present in London at the award ceremony, Anouar Benazzouz, President of the International Road Federation (IRF) said, “We are delighted to accept this award on behalf of all the project partners. Tanzania made history as the first country in the world to implement the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Ten Step Approach. We take immense pride in the project’s achievements and applaud the determination and enthusiasm of the Tanzanian authorities and stakeholders who embraced this opportunity to make Tanzania’s roads safer”.
Mbelwa Kairuki, Tanzania High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, emphasised, “The Ten Step project strengthens our commitment to addressing the pressing issue of road crashes which in 2022 accounted for 6.12% of total deaths in Tanzania. This international recognition acknowledges our collective dedication to making roads safer for everyone and we accept it with great honour and gratitude”.
Robert Lisinge, Chief of the Energy, Infrastructure and Services Section of the Private Sector Development and Finance Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), expressed, "This collaborative effort exemplifies the impact of collective action on road safety. UNECA is proud to have participated in this transformative initiative, setting a valuable precedent for global endeavours. The project aligns with our commitment to sustainable development and underscores the importance of investing in road safety to save lives and build resilient communities”.
Rob McInerney, CEO of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) said, “Through the Ten Step Project, Tanzania has become an inspiration to other countries around the world. The success of the project has showcased how the Ten Step Plan can build local capacity and engagement, and deliver rapid life-saving improvements to reduce road trauma”.
Achieving greater than 75 per cent of travel on 3-star or better roads for all road users by 2030 stands to save 1.6 million lives and serious injuries over the 20-year life of treatments in Tanzania with an economic benefit of $26 for every $1 spent.
For more information:
- To see how safe Tanzania’s roads are, the road attributes that matter and the Business Case for Safer Roads, explore the iRAP Safety Insights Explorer (selecting Tanzania)
ABOUT MoWT
The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) is a government ministry of Tanzania. It was created in 2010 and is responsible for promoting a quality, efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective construction industry that facilitates the social and economic development of the country. Among others, MoWT is mandated to administer the safety and security of transport; policies on works, construction, transport and transportation and their implementations; roads, bridges, ferries and mechanical matters; engineering and design works; and transport licensing.
From Global Commitments to Local Delivery: Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety Launches Strategic Plan 2024–2030
On 5 December 2023, the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety (the Alliance) hit a milestone in its history as it launched its Strategic Plan 2024–2030: From Global Commitments to Local Delivery.
The strategy outlines the Alliance’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities to navigate the remaining years of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030 (Decade of Action).
The launch event included inspiring testimonies from three Alliance members—Martin Galaternik from MINU Argentina, Augustus Fungo from Road Safety Ambassadors of Tanzania, and Amy Rolloque from the Center for Policy Studies and Advocacy on Sustainable Development in the Philippines—highlighting the positive impact of the Alliance’s initiatives on their road safety advocacy efforts.
The event also featured an insightful panel discussion with Bella Dinh-Zarr, FIA Foundation and Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), and Ahmed Shelbaya from The NADA Foundation For Safer Egyptian Roads. Proceedings of the launch event are available here.
Through this strategic plan, the Alliance commits to empowering, mobilising, and supporting its 350-plus member NGOs in more than 100 countries. It will:
- Build a strong network of road safety NGOs, to amplify the voices of road safety victims and push for evidence-based solutions;
- Equip and mobilise NGOs to advocate for proven actions and hold their governments to account;
- Build the capacity of NGOs to advocate effectively for road safety in their communities.
Roadmap to Safety: IRF at the Asia-Pacific Regional Road Safety Seminar 2023
The International Road Federation (IRF) joined more than 200 stakeholders at the recent Regional Road Safety Seminar and Asia-Pacific Road Safety Observatory Annual Meeting, held at the ADB Headquarters in Manila on 5 - 7 December.
Hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Road Safety Observatory (APRSO) and the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), this key regional seminar on road safety welcomed a diverse body of stakeholders including government representatives, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
Under the theme “Implementing the Global Plan of Action” the event served as a dynamic hub for knowledge exchange, fostering dialogue on key topics in road safety relevant to Asia and the Pacific. With a focus on evidence-based policy and decision-making, discussions addressed major road safety trends and challenges specific to the region. Notably, the event explored the implementation of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action on Road Safety 2021-2030, spotlighting the role and challenges faced by road safety lead agencies.
Role and Challenges for Road Safety Lead Agencies
IRF Director General, Susanna Zammataro, animated a panel of high-level speakers for the plenary session "Implementation of the Global Plan in Asia and the Pacific: Role and Challenges for Road Safety Lead Agencies". The session delved into the challenges and opportunities associated with the Global Plan's implementation, offering valuable perspectives on the role of road safety lead agencies in the region.
Gender Perspective in Transport Planning
IRF Director General contributed to the session titled "A Gender Perspective in Transport Planning". This facilitated workshop addressed gender issues relevant to road safety, featuring a fishbowl discussion and breakout groups. " Women and men often have different travel patterns, with women more likely to use public transportation, walk, or rely on non-motorized modes of transport” said Zammataro. “Women may face a higher risk of violence, harassment, or assault during their journeys, particularly in areas with poor street lighting, isolated spaces, or unreliable public transportation services. Lack of safe and gender-sensitive infrastructure can further exacerbate these risks. We must adress this” she added. The breakout groups discussion covered topics such as equity in mobility and access, sex-disaggregated data and analysis in road safety, gender-based differences in road use and safety, and policy development tools.
Private Sector Investments
Well-targeted investment in road safety is critical to the achievement of national road safety targets, the Decade of Action for Road Safety, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Estimates are that an investment of US$260 billion is needed to halve road deaths over the next 10 years globally. While this is large, it represents just a fraction of the cost of crashes over that period, estimated to be US$2,200 billion annually. Investment in road safety saves lives, saves money, and promotes economic gains.
IRF DG joined this panel discussion session, which explored strategies to activate more funds for road safety and incentivise investment in projects that contribute to more sustainable and safe transport. Susanna Zammataro focused her intervention on the private sector road safety coalitions that IRF is facilitating in several countries in collaboration with the TotalEnergies Foundation. She stressed the catalytic role and positive spillover mechanism that private sector road safety champions can have when they apply their stringent road safety criteria and procedures to their respective supply chains.
Celebrating the First World Sustainable Transport Day
Sustainable transport goes beyond moving from point A to B. It aligns with environmental consciousness and community well-being. Recognising its multifaceted importance – providing jobs, promoting connectivity, ensuring equity, bolstering resilience, facilitating trade, and driving economic growth – the UN General Assembly (May 2023) established 26 November as the World Sustainable Transport Day.
The International Road Federation (IRF) marked this important celebration by hosting and participating to a number of events.
IRF featured also among the distinguished speakers of a high-level event hosted by ANAS and PIARC Italia in Rome on 21 November. Focusing on road safety, the event was opened by the Italian Minister of Transport. In addressing the audience, IRF’s DG, Susanna Zammataro stated “I am happy to see interventions on the various components of the safe system approach in the programme of this event. Too often when traveling around the world I still witness heated debates about what is more important: education? enforcement? infrastructure? The truth is that science and research show us that each of these elements is fundamental if we really want to succeed in overcoming this challenge”.
The week saw on 24th November, IRF's Director General, Susanna Zammataro, participate in a high-level panel hosted in Geneva by UNECE discussing action to enhance global transportation safety together with leaders from the sector including Régis Farret (Vice Chair, Inland Transport Committee, UNECE), Yves van der Straaten (Secretary General at OICA), Jean Todt (United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety), Nneka Henry (Head of the UNRSF – UN Road Safety Fund) and Nhan Tran (Head of Safety and Mobility at the World Health Organization).
"Properly designed road infrastructure is the backbone of a safe and efficient transportation system” said Susanna Zammataro. She stressed the pivotal role of road safety audits and that of well-trained, certified road safety auditors. “The significance of these audits lies not only in their ability to prevent mishaps but also in fostering a culture of continuous improvement in our road systems” she added.
Learn more about World Sustainable Transport Day here: http://www.worldsustainabletransportday.org/
