Image credits (above and below): iRAP and AIP Foundation

A delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Transportation (MOT) and the AIP Foundation visited Melbourne from 7 to 11 November 2023 to study road safety measures.

15 delegates attended the study mission from International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Transport (MOT), Department for Roads of Vietnam (MOT), Transportation Department (MOT), Transport Infrastructure Department (MOT), Department of Transport (Ho Chi Minh City and Gia Lai Province) and Traffic Safety Committee (Ho Chi Minh City, Gia Lai province and Yen Bai Province) and the AIP Foundation (who also coordinated the visit).

The delegation met with representatives from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, the National Transport Research Organisation, the Transport Accident Commission, and Monash University’s Accident Research Centre.

The overall objective of the study mission in Australia was to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Transport in the area of road safety, with a focus on safe school zones and youth engagement in decision-making to promote road safety.

On the first day, the delegation was welcomed by the Victoria Department of Transport and Planning. Following a presentation of the School Crossing Assessment Framework, the delegates learned more about technology applications for school zone safety enhancement.

They also visited the NTRO – National Transport Research Organisation (previously ARRB) where the delegation gained insight into Australia’s experience on the application of AusRAP/ iRAP star rating for roads and shared their own experiences with safer school speeds in Vietnam and the importance of engaging youth. The delegation were also able to get a tour of the NTRO labs.

On the 2nd day of the Australian Study Tour to Melbourne, the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam and the AIP Foundation team had the exciting opportunity to learn about the TAC Road Safety Infrastructure program in Victoria and share their own experience of piloting the Youth Engagement App (YEA) in the AI&Me: Empowering youth for safer roads program in Vietnam. 

At the TAC’s Road to Zero exhibit, they experienced an interactive digital experience where they engaged in different road safety educational activities ranging from making their own road safety campaign videos promoting Road Safety to a virtual reality experience highlighting how far road safety has come over the years in Victoria.

On the final day, the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam and AIP Foundation team had the excellent opportunity to meet with the experts at the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC).

The delegation received an overview of:

• MUARC and its engagement with the government
• research on road safety management
• research on motorcycle and pedestrian safety.

As part of the final day of the visit, the delegation explored safe school zones in Melbourne with Minh Vo, Coordinator for Star Ratings for Schools with iRAP.

Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) is an evidence-based tool for measuring, managing and communicating the risk children are exposed to on a journey to school. It supports quick interventions that save lives and prevent serious injuries from day one.

The delegation’s visit to Melbourne was a valuable opportunity for them to learn about Victoria’s leading road safety practices and to share their own experiences with the Victoria’s road safety experts. The delegation’s findings from the visit will be used to inform Vietnam’s own road safety policies and programs particularly on school zone safety. 

The visit was also a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between Vietnam and Victoria. The delegation’s meetings with Victorian government officials and road safety experts helped to build relationships and promote collaboration on road safety initiatives.

Thanks to the AIP Foundation for coordinating this visit and providing content and images through their LinkedIn blogs

According to iRAP Safety Insights Explorer, achieving greater than 75 percent of travel on 3-star or better roads in Vietnam by 2030 could save an estimated 1,859,305 fatalities and serious injuries over the 20 year life of road treatments with an economic benefit of USD$82.4 billion to the country’s economy – $22 for every $1 spent.