Leading the way to safer roads in Brazil and India
Pedestrians and cyclists, unprotected by the frame of a vehicle, are the most vulnerable road users. In Europe, strict regulation, dedicated infrastructure and years of continuous research have massively enhanced the safety of these vulnerable groups. Funded by the EU, the 'Innovative guidelines and tools for vulnerable road users safety in India and Brazil' (SAFER BRAIN) project seeks to transfer and adapt the benefits of European know-how and research to Brazil and India, where fatality rates are much higher than in the EU. The project started by analysing the main risk factors affecting pedestrians and cyclists in the two countries. It then used the information to develop innovative methodologies and tools for planning, designing and maintaining safe infrastructures in Brazil and India. A transferability audit revealed that the main challenges in Brazil were social and cultural, while in India they were economic. In addition, SAFER BRAIN developed an open-source decision support system to help decision makers select the most appropriate road safety measures for a particular location. In addition to this preventive tool, the project also rolled out a corrective one, which helps to identify suitable, high-impact road safety countermeasures at sites where road accidents are frequent. SAFER BRAIN also formulated specific recommendations and guidelines to help Brazil and India enhance the safety of vulnerable road users. These revolved around effective road safety management, safe road infrastructure design, and road safety audits and inspections. The project has helped put Brazil and India well on the road to better protecting cyclists and pedestrians. This development promises to save countless lives in the coming years.
