Kyrgyz Republic approves new Safe and Inclusive Road Design Guidance
Article originally published by the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST)
In February 2026, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic formally approved the use of our new Road Safety Design Guidance through Ministerial Order No. 43.
The guidance was developed by Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST), International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the International Road Federation (IRF) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) as part of a UN Road Safety Fund project supporting safe and inclusive road design across Central Asia.
In Kyrgyzstan, as in much of the region, the rapid expansion of international transport corridors has often outpaced the implementation of modern road safety design. Traditional engineering approaches have tended to prioritise vehicle movement, frequently overlooking the needs of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and communities living alongside high-speed roads.
The Safe and Inclusive Road Design in Central Asia project aimed to address this gap by providing engineers and infrastructure planners with practical tools to design roads that are safer for all users.
Developed by international road safety expert Paul Disney and finalised in June 2025, the guidance offers a practical framework for reducing road injuries through:
- Safe System principles, aligning road infrastructure with the local technical regulations such as GOST-SNiP standards.
- Inclusive design approaches, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable road users during the construction and rehabilitation of international roads.
- Standardised safety practices, promoting consistent approaches across the design, construction and operation of highways.
Following the completion of the project, EASST’s national partner, Public Association ‘Road Safety’, supported the document through a comprehensive review process with specialists from the Ministry and the Design and Survey Institute.
Speaking at the closing event of the project in June 2025, Ulanbek Sultanov of the Ministry of Transport and Communications said:
“The recommendations don't just give general safety criteria, but provide detailed examples of how to solve specific issues. This makes the work much easier for designers when making decisions. The recommendations are very well-prepared… We will definitely recommend these materials to other design companies in Kyrgyzstan and to universities that train our future personnel."
Despite administrative changes and leadership transitions within the Ministry, ‘Road Safety’ maintained progress through technical seminars and direct consultations. This sustained engagement ensured the guidance was recognised not simply as another report, but as a practical solution supporting Kyrgyzstan’s national road safety priorities. The Ministry’s Department of Control and Supervision has now been tasked with ensuring that all relevant structural divisions are trained in the new requirements.
By adopting these guidelines as official policy, the Kyrgyz Republic is setting an important precedent for the region, demonstrating how technical expertise, partnership and political commitment can help transform road design and ultimately save lives.
New guidance on safe and inclusive road design published for road engineers and infrastructure designers in Central Asia
On 26 June 2025, our collaboration between UNESCAP, iRAP, EASST and the International Road Federation (IRF) to review and improve local road geometrical design standards for safer and more inclusive roads across Central Asia drew to a close with a final workshop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The event also marked the launch of a new suite of road safety design guidance for road infrastructure designers across Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Over the past 18 months, since the project’s launch in March 2024, partners have carried out a stepped process including kick‑off missions to each pilot country, a stakeholder consultation in Tashkent in November 2024, a three‑session technical training series for 70 engineers and practitioners in May 2025, and preparatory workshops that informed the suite of guidance now being released.
The concluding workshop in Tashkent on 26 June was opened by the Deputy Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Mr Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, both of whom celebrated the creation of the new resource package, which includes:
- A full project report of our approach and methodology, including details of existing GOST-SNiP design standards in each country.
- Results of iRAP star rating assessments at standard cross sections in the region.
- Tailored road safety design guidance, based on international best practice, for each pilot country (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan).
- Safer road design guidance graphics.
The guidance has been developed in close cooperation with national stakeholders and with input from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) and European Investment Bank (EIB) - with financial support provided by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF). The aim of these resources is not to replace existing standards but to supplement them and offer valuable guidance to road engineers and other stakeholders on how to incorporate evidence-based safety measures derived from international best practice into future road projects.
In particular, the guidance emphasises the importance of early intervention into the project planning process, especially during feasibility studies, to reduce the risks that can lead to serious crashes, injuries, and deaths. It promotes a Safe System Approach, which recognises that road users, as human beings, can make mistakes, and that those mistakes should not cost lives or result in serious injury. The approach calls for road design that mitigates risk, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and children.
Safe road design is not only lifesaving but also cost-effective. It helps to avoid the economic losses incurred by countries due to road crashes with early intervention also serving as a mechanism to avoid costly mistakes in the road development process. The guidance for each country covers key areas including: a review of existing national standards; practical design solutions based on road safety design principles such as lower speeds and forgiving infrastructure; detailed guidance on specific design elements and the role they play in mitigating risk; and why consultation and stakeholder engagement is a vital part of the design process.
Speaking at the workshop, Julio Urzua, iRAP's Strategic Projects Director said, “One of the most important aspects of the project has been its collaborative approach, as the focus has been on three countries that use the GOST-SNiP design standards in Central Asia. As a result of the project, those countries now have a Road Safety Design Guidance, which will help road designers to improve the safety conditions of the road designs. In addition to this Guidance, the project produced an iRAP tar Rating Assessment Results of Standard Cross Sections, which will be a very valuable document for those designers who want to assess the risk of death and serious injury in the current design standards using the iRAP methodology of Star Ratings, based on the features of the road and the degree to which they impact on the likelihood and severity of crashes.”
Julia Funk, Programme Manager and Head of Statistics at the IRF commented, “At the International Road Federation, we believe that no one should lose their life or health due to preventable road design flaws. This project reinforces our commitment to advancing safer infrastructure by supporting countries to integrate evidence-based, people-centred design into national practices. The resources developed are the result of genuine collaboration and mark a concrete step toward making roads across Central Asia safer and more inclusive.”
While Emma MacLennan, Director General of EASST said, “Improving road engineering design standards is not just a paper exercise. Across all three pilot projects EASST and our local partners have implemented pilot pedestrian infrastructure upgrades with tremendous impact – including huge reductions in road crashes. These interventions really do save lives and make cities more liveable. Now, with the new guidance being launched today, we look forward to seeing these small pilots become the norm. The guides we have produced are practical and user-friendly, designed to sit alongside existing standards. Road engineers and designers should take these guides as a fundamental resource on which all design decisions are based. If this happens, we will have succeeded.”
By implementing and updating national road design standards in line with international standards such as the UN Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and CAREC’s Safely Connected: A Regional Road Safety Strategy, our aim is to minimise road traffic fatalities and injuries through safer road infrastructure. And we hope that the pilots in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan that have been a focus of this project will scale up to have CAREC-wide implications.
The issue of safety, as well as the ability to ensure the accessibility of the road for all users, including motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and people with limited mobility, should be prioritised during the design of new roads and existing road upgrades. Stakeholder engagement, integration of international safety measures and capacity building activities will support the effective implementation of updated standards and result in continued improvement of road infrastructure planning and design in Central Asia.
To download the Resource Package in English and Russian, visit https://www.gtkp.com/themepage/road-safety/safe-and-inclusive-road-designs-in-central-asia/
Capacity Building for Safer and more Inclusive Road Design in Central Asia
The International Road Federation (IRF) supported a three-part online training series on road safety engineering, delivered under the UNRSF Safe & Inclusive Road Designs in Central Asia project in April 2025. Designed to build capacity in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the training brought together professionals committed to improving road safety in the region.
Over 60 engineers and road safety practitioners joined each module, which covered key areas including the fundamentals of road safety engineering and the Safe System approach, practical design guidance, and the iRAP methodology for road assessment.
Participant feedback reflected the practical value of the sessions.
“Recent webinars focused primarily on road safety and inclusivity in road design. These aspects play a key role at the feasibility study stage, as they are directly linked to reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities. Effective safety approaches were discussed, including proper design of curves, road shoulders, and minimising excessive measures such as an overuse of signs. The importance of striking a balance between safety and budget was emphasised. Such meetings provide valuable insights and are especially beneficial if more students and professionals from relevant organisations are involved. Thank you for the opportunity to participate.” – Dilovar Hikmatov, Ministry of Transport, Tajikistan.
From Kyrgyzstan, Road Police Official Tynychbek Saidov, highlighted the benefits of hearing directly from international experts: “Their perspectives helped deepen our understanding of current challenges and best practices in road design and safety.”
The trainings were delivered with the support of specialists from several leading organisations in the field. Contributors came from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the International Road Federation (IRF) the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), and the Eastern Alliance for Safe and Sustainable Transport (EASST) alongside independent experts and engineering professionals from Australia and Europe. Their combined expertise offered a broad and practical perspective on how global road safety principles can be applied to local contexts.
The broader project, led by ESCAP in partnership with iRAP, EASST and IRF, is funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF). Launched in March 2024, the 18-month initiative aims to review and update national road design standards (GOST-SNiP), align them with global safety targets and best practices, and develop a common regional recommendations manual to complement existing standards to guide safer, more inclusive road infrastructure across the three countries.
By strengthening the capacity of road designers and policymakers, the project contributes to regional efforts to improve infrastructure, enhance accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, and reduce road casualties.
Stakeholders Review Local Road Design Standards for Safer and More Inclusive Roads in Central Asia
On 14 November 2024, Ministry of Transport representatives and other stakeholders from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan met in Tashkent as part of the collaboration between UNESCAP, iRAP, EASST and the International Road Federation (IRF) to review and improve local road design standards for safer and more inclusive roads across Central Asia.
As part of the UNRSF-funded project, the day-long seminar, which was organised by the National Autosport and Karting Federation of Uzbekistan (NAFKU) and led by the Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, was an opportunity for project partners to present the results of their review into the national (GOST-SNiP) design standards. It also provided an important platform for stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions, share expertise, and offer feedback on how the proposed guidance and updates will fit within existing national standards.
A core focus of discussion was how incorporating road safety as a core component of design standards throughout the lifecycle of road development project can contribute to improved accessibility and inclusivity, promoting sustainable cities and low-carbon transport solutions as well as good health and well-being. EASST’s Emma MacLennan and iRAP’s Albin Tharakan shared an introductory background to Safe Road Design with examples of international best practice while Albin also offered a demonstration of the iRAP Star Rating for Designs tool.
Commenting on his experience, Mr Nikolay Svirchevskiy, Head of the ‘Kyrgyz Road Transport Project’ under the Ministry of Transport said:
“The exchange of experience between specialists at the seminar created an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual assistance. The participants from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and international organisations were all given space to discuss issues and express their opinions and suggestions to make road infrastructure design safer in our countries. The seminar was very informative and useful.”
The next phase of the project will involve integrating the results of the GOST-SNiP reviews and proposed updates into a draft regional standard for the whole CAREC region– 11 countries make up the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation – that aligns with the Global Road Safety Targets and international best practices for safe road design.
IRF, EASST, and iRAP Join Forces with UNESCAP to Update Road Design Standards in Central Asia
Improved road design standards across the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) countries is the goal of a new United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) project being implemented by iRAP, EASST, and the International Road Federation (IRF).
Funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF), the project focuses on three pilot countries – Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – from within the CAREC region. Over the course of the next 18 months, the project will take a collaborative approach to meticulously review, update, and improve local road design standards.
Project activities will officially kick off this month with the team travelling to each of the pilot countries to meet with local partners and relevant government agencies to introduce the project and explore local needs in terms of road design and mobility.
This week, the project team has been in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, meeting with the respective Ministries of Transport and Traffic Police.
On introducing the project in Uzbekistan Mr Ilkhomjon Abdugafarov, Deputy Minister of Transport said:
"We are very pleased to take part and contribute to this important initiative. Road safety for us is a national priority and we are ready to work with international partners and provide all the information needed.”
Earlier in the month, the project team also visited Kyrgyzstan to meet with Ulan Sultanov, Deputy Director of the Kyrgyz Road Transport Project under the Ministry of Transport and Communication, who said:
"We welcome this project with great enthusiasm. At the moment, we use both old and new standards on road design in our work. We need to review and refine these standards, while also preparing new standard documents that address all issues, including safety and inclusivity for vulnerable road users."
IRF Senior Programme Manager & Head of Statistics, Julia Funk commented
“Enhancing road safety is not just about better roads; it is about creating environments where everyone, especially those most vulnerable, can travel with confidence. Through our collaborative efforts and adherence to global best practices, this project is dedicated to raising the bar on road standards in Central Asia. By prioritising inclusivity and safety for all road users, we’re not just building roads; we are building pathways to safer, more sustainable journeys for everyone in the region”.
Data from the recent Global Status Report on Road Safety underscores a persistent concern: while the incidence of road fatalities is generally declining across the 11 CAREC countries, it is still 10% higher than the global average, and double the average for the European Region.
Building safer and more inclusive roads are key to achieving global targets to reduce road casualties by 50% by 2030. Safe road infrastructure is an essential component of the Safe System approach and improving design standards are highlighted as a priority by both the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021-2030) and the CAREC Regional Road Safety Strategy (2017-2030).
Working in partnership with multilateral development banks and the relevant government entities of each pilot country, the project will review the national (GOST-SNiP) design standards and recommend updates that include aspects of safe road design within the national standards – working towards the development of a new regional standard that aligns with the Global Road Safety Targets and international best practices for safe road design.
By including a focus on pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users, the enhanced design standards created in this project will also support several complementary development objectives, including improved accessibility and inclusivity, promoting sustainable cities, low-carbon transport solutions, and good health and well-being. The project will also aim to build capacity of the road designers across the three countries towards safer road design.
