Image credits: Ministry of Transportation and Public Works (MTOP)

An exciting iRAP project has officially launched in Montevideo today assessing Uruguay’s 8,700km road network and 54 schools, to identify and improve high-risk locations and safety for road users.

The Minister of Transport and Public Works, José Luis Falero, along with the Undersecretary Juan José Olaizola and the National Director of Roads, Hernán Ciganda, launched the project to Ministry of Transportation and Public Works (MTOP) officials, media and local stakeholders to share the project plans.

An estimated 447 people lose their lives each year in Uruguay due to road crashes, with a further 33,300 casualties. Road trauma costs the national economy US$2.6 billion annually (4.2% of GDP).

iRAP Accredited Practitioner Pavesys will undertake the iRAP survey and produce Star Ratings to identify the level of risk ‘built in’ to the road for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and vehicle occupants. This software will allow a risk level classification every 100 meters, categorizing the routes on a 1 to 5-star system.

Star Rating for Schools will be used to evaluate the safety of infrastructure surrounding 54 priority schools across the country to ensure safe infrastructure for children’s transit.

Safer Roads Investment Plans will be developed to inform investment in cost-effective treatments to achieve a 3-star or better safety rating on strategically important national roads and high-risk school locations.

A comprehensive training and accreditation program will build local capacity to support the assessments and safer roads beyond the project. iRAP will create a training plan for MTOP technicians and engineers so they can use this technology independently in the future.

The Minister of Transport and Public Works, José Luis Falero, said, “We are delighted to launch this important project to save lives and prevent serious injuries on Uruguayan roads. Safe roads are a critical focus of the Ministry’s Strategic Plan to promote safe and healthy mobility in the country.”

iRAP Global Projects Director Julio Urzua said, “Achieving UN Target 4 for the majority of travel to be on 3-star or better roads for all road users by 2030 stands to save nearly 150,000 lives and prevent serious injuries. We’re proud to partner with MTOP, Pavesys and local partners to advance road safety in Uruguay.”

The study will complete the nearly 4,000km of road assessments and designs, and 86 schools, already completed, which have influenced the safety of over $755 million of road infrastructure investment.

The project is being funded by the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).

iRAP Safety Insights Explorer shares data on the safety of Uruguay’s roads, the human and economic impact of road crash injury, the road attributes that matter, and the Business Case for Safer Roads.

Media coverage in Uruguay: 

https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-transporte-obras-publicas/comunicacion/noticias/mtop-lanza-proyecto-para-clasificar-rutas-mejorar-seguridad-vial 

https://maldonadonoticias.com/beta/actualidad/27106-el-ministerio-de-transporte-present%C3%B3-proyecto-para-evaluar-estado-de-rutas-nacionales.html

Photos from the event below: