Budapest, 20 May 2026 – The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) today announced the launch of the updated Star Rating Model Version 3.10, marking a major milestone in the evolution of global road safety assessment.
Following a comprehensive five-year review, Version 3.10 introduces a significantly enhanced, evidence-based framework for measuring road infrastructure risk and guiding life-saving investments worldwide.
Used in more than 140 countries, iRAP Star Ratings provide an objective measure of the level of safety “built in” to the design of roads for all road users — including vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists.
A New Benchmark for Safer Roads
The release of Model 3.10 represents a critical step forward in supporting safer, more equitable transport systems and aligns with global efforts to reduce road trauma under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Greg Smith, CEO of iRAP, said the new model reflects a deep commitment to preventing road trauma worldwide:
“Every life lost or seriously injured on our roads is one too many — and too often, those tragedies are preventable. Behind every crash statistic is a person, a family and a community forever changed.
Model 3.10 is about turning knowledge into action. It reflects years of global research, collaboration and commitment to understanding risk more deeply and responding to it more effectively.
With sharper insight into where danger exists — especially for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists — we can help our partners act faster and with greater confidence, bringing us closer to a world free of high-risk roads.”
Key Enhancements in Version 3.10
The updated model delivers a range of improvements designed to increase precision, transparency and real-world impact:
- Introduction of a ‘Zero Star’ rating band, helping identify and prioritise the highest-risk road sections.
- Major enhancements for vulnerable road users, including improved pedestrian and bicyclist models and new crash types such as Bicyclist Crossing.
- Decimal Star Ratings, enabling more sensitive tracking of incremental safety improvements.
- Refined risk modelling and data inputs, improving accuracy and alignment with real-world crash outcomes.
- Greater consistency across rating bands, supporting clearer interpretation and communication of risk.
Together, these enhancements deliver a more nuanced understanding of infrastructure risk and the safety benefits of targeted upgrades.
Supporting Global Adoption
In preparation for the launch, iRAP has engaged thousands of road safety practitioners through a global series of #RAPKnowledgeLive sessions, with multilingual recordings available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese to support consistent uptake worldwide.
Version 3.10 will now become the standard for new road safety assessments conducted through iRAP’s online platform, ViDA, while existing projects will remain unchanged to ensure continuity.
Driving Safer Outcomes Worldwide
Monica Olyslagers, Global Innovation Manager and Cities Specialist at iRAP, said Version 3.10 strengthens the ability to translate data into meaningful safety outcomes:
“Model 3.10 gives us a clearer and more precise understanding of risk across different road environments and user types.
With improved sensitivity to safety gains and more detailed insights, practitioners can better identify priorities and demonstrate the impact of targeted interventions.
This supports more informed decision-making and helps ensure investment is directed where it can deliver the greatest safety benefits.”
With improved sensitivity to risk, stronger consideration for vulnerable road users, and enhanced transparency, Model 3.10 is expected to play a critical role in helping governments and partners target investments that will reduce deaths and serious injuries on roads.
The launch reinforces iRAP’s vision of a world free of high-risk roads.
Additional Resources
iRAP Star Rating Model Update Explainer Note
Details the changes made to the crash risk models, risk factors and coding guidance.
iRAP Methodology Reference Guide
This consolidated reference guide fully describes the iRAP models and risk factors, as well as the evidence which underpins these.
iRAP Star Rating Model Update FAQs
Answers to common technical and data management queries.
iRAP Coding Manual
Presents guidelines for the coding of road attribute data, which is part of the process of producing Star Ratings and Safer Roads Investment Plans (SRIP).
iRAP Star Rating and Investment Plan Manual
Presents guidelines for the coding of supporting data, producing Star Ratings and tailoring Safer Road Investment Plans, analysis and reporting, performance tracking and implementation support.