iRAP has launched a Global Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC) comprising high level transport, development bank and road safety agencies to maximise lives saved on roads worldwide.

The GPAC membership includes World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Resources Institute, Transport Research Board, UNECA, UNECE, International Transport Forum, PIARC, European Investment Bank, International Road Federation, FIA Foundation and African Development Bank. The Committee will advise the iRAP Board on strategic issues to support partner achievement of UN Targets 3 and 4 by 2030.

Strategic issues for GPAC consideration include:

• The institutional structures and governance that support iRAP and partner organisations in the achievement of the Charity’s vision for a world free of high-risk roads.
• Policy priorities that support the achievement of the UN Targets and related iRAP performance metrics established and used by WHO, UN Member States, Sum4All, Road Safety Observatories, national and state governments worldwide.
• How the Charity can best support related road safety initiatives including the UN Road Safety Fund; UNECE WP1, WP29 and SC1; MDB Sustainable Transport Working Group; Sum4All; Road Safety Observatories; ITF; Development Banks’ priorities, Development Aid programs; PIARC and national road safety strategies and action plans and related initiatives.
• Delivery mechanisms including standard specifications, supplier networks, training and accreditation, quality assurance and monitoring systems that ensure high quality and reliable application of the iRAP protocols by partners and suppliers worldwide.
• Programme support requirements at the global, regional and national level and how that support is efficiently resourced in relation to partner organisation capabilities and activities.
• Appropriate mechanisms for supporting self-sustaining, locally led national Road Assessment Programmes in each country that undertake the relevant programme, technical governance, road upgrade management and stakeholder communications leadership necessary for successful programmes in support of local and global policy targets and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Requirements for consistency within and between regional and national Road Assessment Programmes worldwide for the mutual benefit of all partners.
• Systems and methodologies to support policy and investment innovation within and between partner organisations and national Road Assessment Programmes worldwide for the mutual benefit of all partners.
• Advice on priority investments for Charity support.
• Research and development priorities in conjunction with the Global Technical Committee that meet the partner needs and integrate efficiently with partner activities and the established iRAP Innovation Framework.

The advisory committee will meet two times per year and prepare formal advice to the iRAP Board in relation to the GPAC Terms of Reference. The Committee is chaired by Jamie Leather, Chief of the Transport Sector Group, Asian Development Bank.

Photo caption: Gathering virtually – GPAC Meeting, 25 June 2020