The iRAP Accredited Practitioners Dashboard and IRF International Registry for Road Safety Auditors are illuminating certified professionals qualified to conduct road safety audits and iRAP specification services to global standards.

Star Ratings and Road Safety Audits

The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 recommends that national and local governments “undertake road safety audits on all sections of new roads (prefeasibility through to detailed design) and complete assessments using independent and accredited experts to ensure a minimum standard of three stars or better for all road users.”

The Star Rating for Road Safety Audits (SR4RSA) Manual presents three approaches for how the RSA and iRAP methodology can be applied together during the design phases of a road project. The combined approach supports road designers in designing, upgrading, and rehabilitating roads to meet safety targets and reduce injuries from traffic crashes.

iRAP Accredited Practitioners ensure that iRAP assessments are performed to the same consistently high level of quality worldwide. There are four categories of iRAP Accreditation – activity, inspection system, AiRAP attribute and AiRAP enabled inspection system accreditation. Practitioners that are iRAP accredited are part of a market of practitioners/suppliers that are able to bid competitively to provide iRAP-specification services worldwide.

IRF Certified Auditors can perform formal and independent checks at all project stages from feasibility, preliminary & detailed design, during work and construction, pre-openings, and even conducting audits on existing roads. The IRF Auditors Registry ensures quality, transparency and accountability in road design and maintenance. To be credible, audits must be carried out by professionals who are not part of the design team. This ensures difficult questions are asked, risks are seen without bias and vulnerable road users are considered and protected.

Training Towards Accreditation

iRAP offers a comprehensive training programme towards iRAP Accreditation.

Building on successful implementations in Tanzania, the United Kingdom, Uganda and Australia, IRF launched a 10-day certified International Registry for Road Safety Auditors Training Programme in India this week. A key feature of the training is a module on the iRAP Tools.

Servicing a Global Need

iRAP Training and Accreditation Coordinator Franco Azzato said, “The registries are an exciting development. They publish a global community of qualified professionals skilled and dedicated to improving road safety to global standards worldwide. They are a valuable resource for project managers and financiers.

“Accredited auditors and iRAP Accredited Practitioners are also gaining access to new opportunities to contribute to safer road projects worldwide, while supporting the global effort to reduce road fatalities and injuries. The registries are providing an important profile for our accredited community who have invested in their globally recognised expertise,” he said.

The continued expansion of both registries underscores iRAP’s and IRF’s continued commitment to establishing globally harmonised standards in the performance of road safety audits and iRAP assessments worldwide.