IndiaRAP proudly launched an innovative new Learning Centre yesterday to support engineers, researchers and students undertaking academic road safety studies using the iRAP Methodology.

Almost 60 people joined the Launch highlighting significant interest in the budding programme.

IndiaRAP Programme Manager Dr Subhamay Gangopadhyay said, “IndiaRAP is trying very hard to develop a culture of instilling iRAP Star Ratings in professional groups including students and academic institutions.

“The Learning Centre will support students in their research and projects to make roads safer and to understand the process and benefits of iRAP Star Ratings to road users and the economy,” he said.

The Centre will provide no-cost resources to support students to learn, think and apply road safety into practice using iRAP’s free life saving ViDA software to Star Rate roads.

IndiaRAP Technical Manager Jigesh Bhavsar said, “Discussion with two universities in 2021, and significant interest from students, had given rise to the idea of the Learning Centre to provide a systematic process and guide to meet their needs.

“Research related to road safety and infrastructure can further improve the Star Rating model and, through the Centre, we aim to strengthen local capacity and foster collaborative research to save lives,” Mr Bhavsar said.

During the Launch, Dr Sewa Ram, Professor School of Planning and Architecture from New Delhi expressed his appreciation to the IndiaRAP Team for supporting research and professional practice through the Centre and advocating strongly for Star Ratings to eliminate high-risk roads in India.

“Your work will be very, very useful and India’s Black Spot Programme.”

IndiaRAP has assessed more than 30,000km of existing roads and designs and 82 schools, with the support of 16 iRAP accredited suppliers, helping to influence the safety of more than USD$4.4 billion of road infrastructure investment. IndiaRAP is a world-leader in the provision of iRAP training.

For more information on how to access the IndiaRAP Learning Centre and resources, visit https://indiarap.org/learn_how_to_star_rate/

For information on iRAP training courses, visit https://irap.org/training/