Project R-1361

KOI 2008: Road safety in low income countries: principles and approaches (Education)

Traffic unsafety is a global problem, which is mainly increasing in low income countries. In these countries, on average, the number of deaths per 1.000.000 inhabitants is twice as high as it is in industrial countries. Since underregistration is very common, the actual problem is probably even much bigger. Since in most low income countries, a proper traffic safety policy is nonexistent or is still in its infancy, the existing local knowledge of and experience with traffic safety is rather limited. With the KOI project "Road safety in low income countries: principles and approaches", the Transportation Research Institute wants to educate local employees so they can contribute to improve traffic safety themselves. Within this education, there are 3 stages: (1) definition of the problem , (2), problem analysis and (3) solutions. Stage 1 consists of an introduction into the theme of traffic (un)safety, where the size of the problem in low income countries will be outlined. We will also elaborate on the collection of reliable data. In the second stage, participants will learn to analyse the problem using the conflict observation technique, which has been developed specifically for non-industrial countries. Participants will learn to apply this method in real situations and will consequently gain a better insight into the traffic systematics. Moreover, the contribution and role of behaviour will be studied. In the third stage, we will give an overview of possible solutions and measures to improve traffic safety policy. These solutions will be approached from many angles, more specifically from the point of view of education and sensitization, infrastructure and enforcement.

12 October 2008 - 24 October 2008