A new international High-Speed, High-Quality Roads Expert Group has been formed to address the evolving needs and research pertaining to the safety of modern, high-speed road infrastructure and ensure the continued effectiveness of the iRAP methodology for assessing and informing their management.

With the rapid global expansion of high-standard expressways and motorways, there is a growing need to adapt and refine road safety assessment tools to reflect the unique features and risks associated with high-speed travel.

The High-Speed, High-Quality (HS-HQ) Roads Group brings together national road authorities, academic institutions, and global partners in a collaborative, workshop-oriented forum dedicated to this mission.

A series of expert sessions running from April to September will explore key themes relevant to HS-HQ roads safety, starting with the iRAP methodology. Topics include speed and crash risk, infrastructure design with ITS and connected vehicle insights, and crash prevention strategies – both standard and emerging. Later sessions will address safety for heavy vehicles and vulnerable road users. The initiative concludes with a synthesis of findings and next steps for action.

The group will:

• Examine the application of the iRAP methodology on HS-HQ roads;
• Identify priority areas requiring research and evidence gathering;
• Develop recommendations for iRAP’s Global Technical Committee (GTC) to inform methodological updates; and
• Ensure that safety assessment, intervention planning and performance tracking reflects the operational realities and technical standards of these roads.

“This group represents a proactive step forward in the global road safety effort,” said James Bradford, iRAP’s Global Technical Director. “By focusing on the specific conditions and opportunities of high-speed, high-quality roads, we aim to support the continued evolution of the iRAP methodology and tools, informed by the latest research, industry experience and best practice. These efforts will strengthen the global safety framework for high-speed road networks, ultimately supporting the goal of reducing road fatalities and serious injuries where traffic speeds – and therefore risk – are highest.

With the iRAP methodology applied by partners in over 130 countries and central to measuring the achievement of UN Targets 3 and 4 for safe road infrastructure, the HS-HQ Roads Group represents a timely and strategic investment in its ongoing innovation.

Image credit: Pixabay Christo Anestev