LabTrans Coordinator Wellington Repette, iRAP’s Global Project Director Julio Urzua,and FAPEU Project Manager Geraldo Morgado Fagundes Filho with the signed MOU

Building on a decade-long partnership, the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Extensão Universitária (FAPEU) of Brazil, are proud to announce the extension of their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), continuing LabTrans’ role as a Centre of Excellence helping to inform the iRAP methodology and tools supporting safer roads worldwide.

The extended agreement was signed this week at Labtrans Headquarters in Florianópolis at an event attended by LabTrans Coordinator Wellington Repette, iRAP’s Global Project Director Julio Urzua, and FAPEU Project Manager Geraldo Morgado Fagundes Filho.

iRAP’s protocols and tools benefit from the latest evidence-based research undertaken by world leading road safety experts, supported through its 10 Centres of Excellence. The Centres are peak organisations that demonstrate excellence in road safety engineering research and practice, with a focus on activities for the public good.

UFSC’s Transportation and Logistics Laboratory – LabTrans – is a renowned research and development institution in Brazil specialising in traffic engineering and education, passenger mobility and transport, modality and logistics, environment, software and technology, and operational research and competitive markets.

The tripartite cooperation between iRAP, UFSC (through its LabTrans) and FAPEU since 2015 has supported significant achievements for road safety in Brazil and worldwide. These include the increased application of iRAP protocols in Brazil and support of the BrazilRAP Road Assessment Programme;  contribution to the evidence base underlying the global iRAP protocols through research and development; integration of iRAP within research programmes; contribution to the technical governance of protocols through iRAP’s Global Technical Committee (GTC); and establishment and capacity building to support the growth of an effective delivery network of accredited practitioners.

iRAP’s Global Technical Director James Bradford said, “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with LabTrans. For ten years it has played a pivotal role in shaping iRAP’s protocols and road infrastructure safety in Brazil and worldwide. This extended MOU will enable us to further advance research, knowledge exchange and training programs, and the development of innovative solutions for safer road design and management.”

On renewing the partnership, LabTrans reflected on the strengthening of Brazil’s performance and contribution to iRAP’s global vision for a world free of high-risk roads. Labtrans continues to be a national and international reference in the area of transport and logistics, contributing with research, development of technical solutions, and scientific exchange focused on road safety and sustainable mobility.

Images credit: Julio Urzua