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Preliminary assessments in the Cayman Islands

Preliminary assessments in the Cayman Islands

Preliminary Star Ratings and safety investment options for 200km of roads in the Cayman Islands have been presented to key stakeholders.

At a meeting with the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, the National Road Authority, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the Caribbean Development Bank, options to lift road safety Star Ratings and prevent deaths and serious injuries were canvassed.

iRAP and the National Road Authority are finalise the assessment and ensure that recommendations are implemented.

Safety upgrades and new inspections in India

Safety upgrades and new inspections in India

World Bank-financed upgrades that will significantly improve road safety Star Ratings are now underway in the Indian States of Gujarat and Kerala.

Alongside more traditional measures, such as wider lanes and paved shoulders, the designs include sidewalks with safety fences, ‘raised’ pedestrian crossings, bus stops, solar powered street lights and traffic calming.

The designs also introduce “green tunnels” that preserve roadside trees – which are a safety hazard – by using safety barriers. Presentations about the upgrades are available for download.

At the same time, new road safety inspections of approximately 4,000km of roads are also now underway in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

Improving safety for our children

Improving safety for our children

More than 300 people from across the region gathered at ADB headquarters in the Philippines for Asia Pacific Road Safety 2014.

With a theme of “Improving Safety for Our Children”, the event comprised four parts: the GRSP Asia Seminar, iRAP Asia Pacific Workshop, ADB/ASEAN Train the Trainer Programme and GNCAP Workshop.

Participants in the iRAP Workshop had the opportunity to hear about road safety improvements that will lift Star Ratings in China, India and the Philippines. Presentations from the workshop are available for download.

Minister says safe road infrastructure is new priority for Albanian roads

Minister says safe road infrastructure is new priority for Albanian roads

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Edmond Haxhinasto called for safe road infrastructure to be the new priority as he joined 30 professional and technical guests for consultation on the first EuroRAP results for Albania.

The Minister said Albania’s recent massive investment in new road infrastructure had led to safety problems which must be addressed before more new roads could be built. The SENSoR project has now Star Rated the first 500 km of Albania’s roads showing countermeasures which can target the safety problems and the huge economic benefits from investing in safety. 

Presentations from Olivera Djordjevic (Make Roads Safe Hellas – SENSoR lead partner) and Dr Steve Lawson (Road Safety Foundation) were welcomed by the government and by Niko Leka, President of the Automobile Club of Albania, the project partner in Albania.

Training and professional development opportunities

Training and professional development opportunities

Numerous training courses are now available for those who want to learn to Star Rate roads for safety and design safer roads.

With RAPcapacity online courses, you learn how to undertake iRAP-specification road assessments, at your own pace. Simply log-onto http://capacity.irap.org/training/rap-courses and select a course that suits you.

The week-long University of Birmingham (UK) iRAP course in Road Safety introduces the iRAP technology for evaluating the safety impact of road infrastructure first hand. Enrolments are now open for the September 2014 course.

iRAP partner, the IRF, has developed a series of Road Safety Seminars (Safer Roads by Design™) to provide road authorities with best practices and latest technologies that can be implemented to meet a country’s commitment to the Decade of Action. IRF regional conferences also offer opportunities for professional development.

How to avoid 1,400 fatalities and serious injuries in Catalonia?

How to avoid 1,400 fatalities and serious injuries in Catalonia?

In cooperation with the Catalan Roads Agency, RACC has assessed 5,000 km of roads and produced a EUR 42.8 million investment plan that would save 1,400 fatalities and serious injuries over the next 20 years.

The main types of crashes that would be addressed are head-on crashes (which account for 30% of crashes) and junction crashes (20%).

The proposed countermeasures would complement work already being undertaken (see picture right) and include: median barriers on single-lane undivided roads, central hatching, intersection delineation and street lighting.

RACC and the Catalan Roads Agency (Direcció General d’infrastructures de transport terrestre) have agreed to continue working together to extend iRAP assessments to other networks, and to take the present recommendations into action through road maintenance contracts.

Life-saving improvements to the Bruce Highway

Life-saving improvements to the Bruce Highway

An AusRAP assessment by RACQ shows that the improvements made to a 12km section of the Bruce Highway in Queensland, Australia have lifted it from just 2-stars to 4- and 5-stars for safety.

Previously, the section of road had a speed limit of 90km/h, was undivided and had hazardous roadsides and ‘at-grade’ intersections. The new section has two lanes in each direction which are separated by median safety barriers that reduce the risk of head-on crashes. Roadside safety barriers, which are specially designed to protect motorcyclists, help to reduce the risk of injury in run-off road crashes. A ‘grade-separated’ interchange significantly reduces the risk of intersection crashes.

As a result of the engineering improvements, the speed limit was able to be lifted to 110km/h yet the risk of death and serious injury has more than halved.

The improvements were an initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments.

EuroRAP is seeking a CEO

EuroRAP is seeking to appoint a CEO

The current CEO, the Managing Director of the Association, is retiring.  You will lead the European Road Assessment Association’s activities and enable your Members to deliver RAP programmes. You will conceive or develop practical programmes of research, implementation, legislation or communications that will lead to safer roads. 

In addition to a core grant from the FIA Foundation and membership fees, you must raise funds from a wide variety of sources to help enable the Association’s and your Members’ programmes. 

You will work closely with other partners and RAP programmes worldwide including iRAP, a charity established by EuroRAP to act as a global umbrella for road assessment and develop key software tools for global use.

You will be responsible for a team of UK based staff who are jointly employed by EuroRAP and iRAP so they can move easily between the work of European and global programmes.  You will be responsible for overseeing iRAP’s programmes in the Middle East and Africa as and when may be agreed between iRAP and EuroRAP.

For more information on this role and to apply please click here.

Closing date 7th September 2014. 

ChinaRAP wins Star Performer award

ChinaRAP wins Star Performer award

The Research Institute of Highway (RIOH), Ministry of Transport, China, has received the iRAP Asia Pacific Star Performer award for their leadership of ChinaRAP.

The China Road Assessment Program (ChinaRAP), which Star Rates roads for crash risk and develops safety countermeasure plans, is now being used in 14 city and highway projects across China, helping to shape development bank projects worth more than CNY 9 billion (USD 1.5 billion).

A few examples of ChinaRAP projects are:

  • In Yunnan, the team assessed city roads and made recommendations for safety improvements, such as footpaths, speed limit reclassification and bicycle lanes, in the World Bank financed Yunnan Honghe Prefecture Urban Transport Project.
  • In Shaanxi, the team is working closely with designers to lift safety star ratings on almost 1,000km of roads as part of the Asian Development Bank financed Shaanxi Mountains Road Safety Demonstration Project.
  • In Anhui, the team worked closely with designers of the G316 to lift star ratings of a new class 1 road. These upgrades are funded by the Wuhu Local Government.

 

ViDA online software

ViDA online software

ViDA is the iRAP online road safety software platform. You can use it to create and analyse interactive safety reports for your roads.

Users of ViDA are able to upload road inspection data to produce detailed road condition reports, Star Ratings and Safer Roads Investment Plans. You can also use the Star Rating Demonstrator to quickly check the Star Rating of your road or design.

You can register to use ViDA for free at vida.irap.org.

Watch a video tour of ViDA or download the guide.

Road Safety Toolkit

Road Safety Toolkit

The Road Safety Toolkit provides free information on the causes and prevention of road crashes that cause death and injury.

Building on decades of road safety research, the Toolkit helps engineers, planners and policy makers develop safety plans for car occupants, motorcyclists, pedestrians, bicyclists, heavy vehicle occupants and public transport users.

The Road Safety Toolkit is the result of collaboration between iRAP, the Global Transport Knowledge Partnership (gTKP) and the World Bank Global Road Safety Facility. ARRB Group provided expert advice during the Toolkit’s development.

Death of peoples’ champion should be a catalyst for action

Death of peoples’ champion should be a catalyst for action

The last rites are being held today for Gopinath Munde, India’s Rural Development Minister who was tragically killed this week in a car crash.  Although a very high profile case which has seen much coverage in the Indian press and further afield, he is by no means the only road victim this week in a country struggling to cope with the burden of road crashes. With around 380 reported road deaths each and every day on India’s roads the country is at crisis point and figures show that many of the victims will be the from lower-income rural families, the lives of whom Mr Munde worked so hard to improve, that are the hardest hit.

Fortunately there are positive efforts being made, among them the work being led by Public Works Departments and the World Bank in States such as Kerala, Gujarat, Assam and Karnataka. In major road upgrade projects, ambitious targets to lift road safety star ratings have been set. It’s the first time that this approach, which is lifting designs above basic standards, has been adopted in a developing country on a large scale. Importantly, the targets are aimed at making roads safer for everyone: vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists. 

The road safety challenge in India is large; but many of the solutions are already well known. Building features such as footpaths, safe crossings, safety barriers and roundabouts around the country will save lives. The death of Gopinath Munde is truly upsetting; we must ensure that thousands more deaths like his are avoided.

IRF Regional Congresses and World Road Statistics

IRF Regional Congresses and World Road Statistics

The International Road Federation (IRF) will hold a series of regional congresses, in Africa, Latin America and Asia this year.

Attendees at the conferences will have the opportunity to dialogue with government officials, developmental partners, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders who share a common interest in improving people’s lives through a sound, resilient and safe transportation system

To support road policy development and analysis, the IRF World Road Statistics is also available. To mark the 50th anniversary of the publication, includes 12 years of updated data, providing a comprehensive statistical picture of international road and inland transport from the start of the millennium.

IRF Regional Congresses and World Road Statistics

Congresos Regionales de IRF y Estadísticas Viales Mundiales

La Federación Internacional de Carreteras (IRF, por su sigla en inglés) llevará a cabo una serie de congresos regionales en África, América Latina y Asia este año.

Los asistentes a las conferencias tendrán la oportunidad de dialogar con funcionarios del gobierno, socios en el desarrollo, contratistas, consultores y otras partes interesadas que comparten el interés común de mejorar las vidas de las personas a través de un sistema de transporte sólido, resiliente y seguro.

Para apoyar en el desarrollo y análisis de políticas viales, también está disponible el IRF World Road Statistics En ocasión del 50 aniversario de la publicación, se incluye 12 años de datos actualizados, lo cual brinda una visión estadística completa del transporte terrestre y vial a nivel internacional desde el inicio del milenio.

Proyecto piloto en curso en Japón

Proyecto piloto en curso en Japón

Facilitado por el Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) y con apoyo técnico del iRAP, el National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM) ha realizado una evaluación piloto del riesgo en las vías de Japón.

Además de ayudar a crear un mayor entendimiento de la metodología del iRAP entre los socios locales, el proyecto también ofrece la oportunidad de que iRAP aprenda de las técnicas en gestión de la seguridad que han resultado exitosas en Japón.

Entre 2001 y 2010, Japón logró reducir a más de la mitad su tasa de muertes en las vías, reduciendo la tasa de 10 muertes por 100,000 habitantes a 4.5 muertes por 100,000 habitantes.

Proyecto piloto en curso en Japón

Pilot project underway in Japan

Facilitated by the Japan Automobile federation (JAF) and with technical support from iRAP, the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM) has carried out a pilot assessment of risk on roads in Japan.

Apart from helping to build an understanding of the iRAP methodology among local partners, the project also offers the opportunity for iRAP to learn about successful safety management techniques in Japan.

Between 2001 and 2010, Japan managed to more than halve its road death rate, cutting the rate from 10 deaths per 100,000 population to 4.5 deaths per 100,000 population. 

6% of Hungarian network achieves the best risk rating

6% of Hungarian network achieves the best risk rating

During the 12th Annual EuroRAP General Assembly, the Institute for Transport Sciences (KTI) published Risk Maps for some 3,000km of roads in Hungary.

The roads represent just 11% of the investigated part of the national road network, but carry 54% of traffic flow. Some 34% of fatal crashes occur on the roads.

The Risk Map, produced as part of SENSOR, shows that the network spans the full range of risk categories, from high risk through to low risk.

Based on the findings of the review carried out with EuroRAP methodology, a Hungarian expert group is to make proposals on low-budget safety improvements. 

6% of Hungarian network achieves the best risk rating

6% de la red húngara logra la mejor clasificación de riesgos

Durante la 12va Asamblea General Anual de EuroRAP, el Institute for Transport Sciences (KTI) publicó los Mapas de Riesgos para cerca de 3,000km de vías en Hungría..

Las vías representan solo 11% de la parte investigada de la red vial nacional, pero soportan 54% del flujo vehicular. Cerca de 34% de las colisiones mortales ocurren en las vías.

El Mapa de Riesgos, elaborado como parte de SENSOR, muestra que la red abarca el rango completo de categorías de riesgo, desde riesgo alto hasta riesgo bajo.

En base a los hallazgos de la revisión realizada con la metodología de EuroRAP, un grupo de expertos de Hungría elaborará propuestas de bajo presupuesto para implementar mejoras en términos de seguridad.

Seguridad vial en la sede de la Copa Mundial

Seguridad vial en la sede de la Copa Mundial

En la primera aplicación del iRAP en Brasil, se evaluó el riesgo de colisiones en 4,250 km de carreteras en el estado de Sao Paulo.

Los resultados, que están ayudando a orientar el , que están ayudando a orientar el por un valor de $429 millones, se presentaron como parte de un curso de capacitación para cerca de 150 personas.

MGran parte de la red se clasificó en las categorías de riesgo más altas con 1 a 2 estrellas. Cerca de dos tercios (62%) de las vías con presencia de peatones soportan un tráfico de 40 km/h o más y no tienen aceras (veredas). Casi la mitad (40%) tiene objetos peligrosos a 5 metros del borde y protección limitada al lado de la acera (tales como barreras de seguridad).

El plan más exhaustivo muestra que una inversión de R$2.55 mil millones (US$1.28 mil millones) podría reducir el número de muertes y lesiones graves en 41%, y así prevenir cerca de 80,000 muertes y lesiones graves en los próximos 20 años.

Las evaluaciones del iRAP reciben el apoyo del Foro Global de Seguridad Vial del Banco Mundial y Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Seguridad vial en la sede de la Copa Mundial

Road safety in the home of the World Cup

In the first application of iRAP in Brazil, crash risk on 4,250km of roads in São Paulo state was assessed.

The results, which are helping to guide the $429 million São Paulo Sustainable Transport Project, were presented as part of a training course for around 150 people.

Much of the network was rated in the highest risk 1- and 2-star categories. About two thirds (62%) of roads where pedestrians are present carry traffic 40km/h or more have no footpaths. Almost half (40%) have hazardous objects within 5 metres of the edge and limited roadside protection (such as safety barriers).

The most comprehensive plan shows that an investment of R$2.55 billion (US$1.28 billion) could reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by 41%, preventing almost 80,000 deaths and serious injuries over 20 years.

Following the presentation of results, iRAP’s São Paulo based consultant conducted a series of workshops to train 15 engineers and planners from the São Paulo Department of Highways (DER-SP) in the use of the iRAP methodology and software.

The iRAP assessments in Brazil are supported by the World Bank GRSF and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Fatality-free roads of the future

Fatality-free roads of the future

Vehicle and road infrastructure experts recently explored how technologies from their fields will ‘work together’ to prevent common types of vehicle and motorcycle crashes and those involving pedestrians and bicyclists.

Participants in the workshop, which was hosted by RACV in Melbourne, Australia, also considered the challenge of preventing crashes involving the rapidly growing ‘e-bike’ fleet in many parts of the world.

Although advanced V2V and V2I technology which may lead to ‘self-driving’ cars was cited as having enormous potential, there was also a focus was on the safety gains of rapid, wide-scale deployment of already-proven technology and techniques, especially in rapidly developing countries. 

Examples considered include: emergency brake assist which helps drivers to quickly slow their car, flexible safety barriers that are highly-effective at dissipating energy and innovative forms of head-protection for bicyclists.

The workshop was developed by iRAP and GNCAP, and built on the Roads That Cars Can Read Initiative. ARRB Group is currently producing a Research Report that will document proceedings.

Fatality-free roads of the future

Vías del futuro libres de colisiones mortales

Expertos en infraestructura vial y vehículos analizaron recientemente la forma en que las tecnologías de sus respectivos campos ‘trabajan juntas’ para prevenir tipos comunes de colisiones de vehículos y motocicletas, y aquellas donde hay peatones y ciclistas involucrados.

Los participantes en el taller, organizado por RACV en Melbourne, Australia, también consideraron el riesgo de prevenir colisiones relacionadas con la flota de ‘bicicletas electrónicas’ que viene usándose cada vez más en muchas partes del mundo.

Si bien la tecnología avanzada V2V y V2I, que puede dar lugar a la implementación de vehículos ‘sin conductor’, se citó como de enorme potencial, también se hizo énfasis en los beneficios para la seguridad del uso rápido y en mayor escala de tecnologías y técnicas que ya han sido probadas, especialmente en países en rápido desarrollo.

Los ejemplos considerados incluyeron: asistencia en frenadas de emergencia que ayuda a los conductores a bajar rápidamente la velocidad de su vehículo, barreras de seguridad flexibles que son altamente costo-efectivas en disipar la energía y formas innovadoras para proteger la cabeza de los ciclistas.

El taller fue desarrollado por iRAP y GNCAP, y se basó en la Roads That Cars Can Read Initiative (Iniciativa de Vías que los Autos Pueden Leer). El ARRB Group actualmente está elaborando un Informe de Investigación que documentará las medidas adoptadas. 

TdR estándar y especificaciones técnicas

TdR estándar y especificaciones técnicas

TdR estándar y especificaciones técnicas, que pueden usarse en la adquisición y gestión de actividades relacionadas con especificaciones del iRAP, están disponibles en línea.

Los documentos incluyen Términos de Referencia (TdR) estándar que pueden descargarse y editarse para que sirvan de base para un plan de un proyecto y/o utilizarse en el proceso de contratación de consultores para prestar los servicios.

Los documentos también incluyen especificaciones sobre inspecciones viales, análisis de Clasificaciones por Estrellas y Planes de Inversión para Vías Más Seguras y análisis de Mapas de Riesgos usando datos de colisiones.

Las especificaciones vienen acompañadas de una lista de consultores y empresas con capacidad para licitar y ejecutar proyectos siguiendo las especificaciones del iRAP. Las especificaciones también permiten a los consultores y empresas que anteriormente no hayan realizado actividades específicas al iRAP obtener una ‘acreditación’ durante la ejecución del proyecto.

TdR estándar y especificaciones técnicas

Standard TOR and technical specifications

Standard iRAP technical specifications, guides and manuals, which can be used in procurement and management of iRAP-specification activities, are available online.

The documents include a standard Terms of Reference (TOR) that can be downloaded and edited to form the basis of a project plan and/or used in the process of engaging consultants to deliver services.

The documents also include specifications on road inspections, Star Rating and Safer Roads Investment Plan analyses and Risk Map analyses using crash data.

The specifications are accompanied by a growing list of consultants and firms capable of bidding for and delivering iRAP-specification projects. The specifications also enable consultants and firms that have not previously undertaken iRAP-specific activities to gain ‘accreditation’ during project delivery.

The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) is a Registered Charity with UN ECOSOC Consultative Status.
iRAP is registered in England and Wales under company number 05476000
Charity number 1140357

Registered office: 60 Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DS
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