Latest iRAP metrics chart global growth in safer roads, innovation, investment and learning

9 August 2021

The latest metrics as at 30 June chart growth in safer roads activities and investments across the world along with the capacity building focus as partners capitalise on online training opportunities to boost skills during COVID restrictions.

The figures, drawn biannually, reveal over 38,000 people have been trained in online courses offered in 16 languages, many of which are free-of-charge. 155 suppliers in 37 countries and 15 inspection systems are now accredited to support iRAP specification services.  As we unite to create a world free of high-risk roads as part of the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety, the ability for partners to upskill and support their own national RAP Programmes is being supported in a virtual self-paced environment.

iRAP partners worldwide have now undertaken over 1.2 million kilometres of Star Rating Assessments and Designs . In the last 6 months, Cyprus and Ecuador have undertaken Star Rating assessments for the first time and significant Star Rating activity has occurred in Australia, Mexico, USA, South Africa, Serbia, India, Panama, Brazil, China and Costa Rica. 81,700km of “light” Star Ratings have also been completed with recent activity in Australia and Thailand.

The safety of 730 schools in 43 countries has been assessed using the  Star Rating for Schools application helping to inform safer school journeys and protect vulnerable youth, with many schools now upgraded.

A total of 1.5 million kilometres of Risk Mapping has been completed worldwide with 37,000km of Risk Mapping undertaken in the last 6 months including Spain, Serbia and Croatia.

Star Rating for Design (SR4D) is improving the safety of road designs and ensuring they meet the 3-star or better global standard before construction. Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Kazakhstan and Uganda have all improved the safety of their designs in the last 6 month period.

Nearly $80 billion of investment in 58 countries has been made safety informed by iRAP assessments, with USD$49.3 billion in high-income countries and $30.6 billion in low- and middle-income countries.

Over 28.2 million kilometres of data has been analysed in iRAP’s free online software ViDA used by 11,388 registered users, with an additional 1 million km processed since January.

3-star or better policies set by governments and agencies across the world exemplify road safety leadership setting the bar for safer roads achievement as part of national and local road safety strategies.  The governments of Vietnam, Victoria in Australia and Brazil, as well as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) have recently added to the list of 50 3-star or better policies and guidelines that exist worldwide including iRAP metrics and performance targets.