iRAP has been in existence for almost 20 years now. Over this time, with technical support from a range of partners including TRL, it has developed and promoted a range of innovative and practical methodologies to assist countries in reducing the number of killed and seriously injured road crash victims. These approaches identify fundamental and cost-effective improvement plans to make road infrastructure across networks safer for all users.
John Fletcher, Principal Road Safety Specialist at TRL, said: “Through TRL’s iRAP UK ‘Centre of Excellence’ and role on the Global Technical Committee, we look forward to continuing our support for the development and optimisation of the Star Rating model. We would also like to acknowledge the support of Highways England who have enabled TRL to assist iRAP in developing a new module which models shunt crashes and Intelligent Transport System (ITS) solutions.”
This accolade is particularly timely as iRAP is a truly global charity which has worked in upwards of 100 countries to date. Currently there is reinvigorated and coordinated international pressure demanding real improvement in road safety globally; approximately 1.35 million people die in road crashes each year. This movement is gaining momentum following adoption of the most recent Sustainable Development Goals, the 2020 Sweden Ministerial Declaration, and the on-going development of the Second Decade for Road Safety.
“There is a clear need for far greater investment to improve road safety,” adds Fletcher. “Safer infrastructure is perhaps the most manageable and proven way to reduce road risks and associated casualties effectively. iRAP Star Ratings has the ability to assist road agencies, from those in High to Low Income countries, with just this aspect of the road system.”
To find out more about iRAP, please visit: https://www.irap.org/
