Role of Engineering in Road Safety

Presented By
Dr. P. K. Agarwal

Department of Civil Engineering

Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal
 CONTENT
• Problem?

• Safety Scenario ?

• SOLUTION
• Role of Engineering?
 CONTENT
• PROBLEM?
Road Accident
• Safety Scenario ?
Safety degradation on Indian roads
• SOLUTIONS - Role of Engineering?
• Plan safer road network
• Design safer roads
• Ensure Safety during Construction
• Ensure adequate & timely Maintenance for safety ,
• Ensure Safe traffic operation etc.
Problem?
Problem?
 Safety Degradation on Roads

 SOURCE: www.trafficaccidentsblogspot.com
Number of Road Accidents are steadily increasing
Huge economic losses
Need to Reduce Road Accidents

Why?
Property damage
Accidents Results in Grief and Agony to Many

Road safety is a huge socio-economic problem

 Roadsafety is a huge socio-
economic problem worldwide
 Urgent Need?

to develop a systematic approach

to reduce the injuries, deaths and
loss of public properties because
of road accidents.
 Road Safety Slogans
 Stay alert, stay alive.
 Always alert, seldom hurt
 Life is so precious. The life you save

may be your own.

 Its better a minute late than "the

late"
 Road Safety – A Global Concern

• Roadsafety is a global concern and is a

sustainable development issue that
needs greater attention.

•World over, more than 1.2 million people

die and up to 50 million people incur non-
fatal injuries annually as a result of road
crashes.
 Global Injury Mortality by Causes
1.3 million people die in road traffic crashes (RTCs) Globally

Violence, 10.8, 11% Suicide, 16.9%

Other unintentional War, 3.4%
injuries, 0.2%

Other unintentional
injuries, 18.1%
Road Traffic
Injuries, 22.8%

Drowning , 7.3%
Poisining, 6.7% Falls, 7.5% Fires, 6.2%

Suicide
Other unintentional injuries
Drow ning
Fires
Falls
Poisining
Road Traffic Injuries
Other unintentional injuries
Source:
Source:Global
GlobalStatus
StatusReport
Reporton
onRoad
RoadSafety,
Safety,WHO,
WHO,2009
2009 War
Violence
 Road Safety – A Global Concern

The major contributors to these numbers

are low-to-middle income countries,
including India.

It is a human-made problem and a

leading cause of preventable and
predictable deaths.
Leading Causes of Deaths in 2004 and 2030
 Road Accident facts
5 Tsunamis are wiping out
lives from the world every year,
in the form of Road Accidents.

Nobody is noticing it !!!

Around 50 percent of the fatalities occur among
vulnerable users, namely, motor cyclists, cyclists and
pedestrians.


 Road Users Involved in Fatalities

30% 11% 8% 4% 45%

Cars and Two Three Pedestrians
Trucks Wheelers
and Jeeps Wheelers
Buses
Source ; MoRTH Not Known 2%
 Age profile of road accident victims shows that age
group of 18-45 years accounted for around 70
percent fatalities.
This group forms the most productive
and potential human capital.
The colossal economic and societal loss underscores
the urgency of addressing road safety issues in the
country.
Fatalities by Age and Sex

Source: National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Growth of Road Traffic Crashes
Accidents increase by ~ 1.5% but fatalities increase by ~ 7.3%
Year RTCs % Variation RTIs % Variation Fatalities % Variation No. of Vehicles
(in thousands) over previous (in over previous In nos. over previous (in thousands)
year thousands) year year

2005 390.4 8.0 447.9 8.2 98.254 7.5 66,289

2006 394.4 1.0 452.9 1.1 1.05,725 7.6 72,718*

2007 418.6 6.1 465.3 2.7 1,14,590 8.4 72,718*

2008 415.8 - 0.7 469.1 0.8 1,18,239 3.2 89,618*

2009 421.6 1.4 466.6 -0.5 1,26,896 7.3 89,6188*

Growth of fatalities is at much higher rate than that of Crashes and

Injuries
Source : National Crime Record Bureau, ( * Data repeated due to non availability for that year)
 Accidents on Various Road Category
100%

90%
46.8
80%

70% 94.2

60%
Other Roads
50% SH
23.6 NH
40%

30%

20%

10%
29.6 4.1

0%
% of Accidents
No. % of Road Length
1.7

Source –Road Accidents in India, 2005, MOSRTH

 Road Safety – A Global Concern

Road traffic fatalities and injuries place a

significant burden on the national
economies of the countries.

Globally, an estimated three per cent of

GDP is lost due to road traffic crashes.
Safety Concerns
 Indiahas now dubious distinction of
having highest fatalities amongst
countries in transitions
 Nation not getting Value for Money
on huge investment in road
development
 Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) affect
mainly males of 15 and 44 years
 Stop accidents

before they stop us.

Safety Concerns
 Road safety is now a public health issue
and needs immediate attention
 Road Traffic Injuries are predictable and
preventable
 Required
Awareness of its criticality
Comprehensive road safety
programme into national planning
Safety component be essential part of
road planning, design, construction
and operation
Remedial Measures…..
Road safety has, thus been accorded high
priority on the UN agenda because of its
magnitude and impact on the society and
economy.

In November 2009, the UN adopted the Moscow

Declaration on road safety.

The period 2011-2020 has been proclaimed by

the UN General Assembly as the Decade of
Action for Road Safety.
Fatalities Reduction Target in UN Decade
of Action

Source : www.makeroadssafe.org/ publication

 Let
Let
Engineers
Engineers Therefore
Therefore

Adopt
Adopt Road
Road
Safety
Safety Now
Now
and
and show
show that
that
we
we not
not only
only make
make good
good
roads
roads but
but ensure
ensure safe
safe
and
and smooth
smooth journey
journey
also.
also.
Purpose of this presentation?

To highlight road safety

scenario in India and
Role of Engineering in
improving Road Safety
 Road Safety Scenario in India

In 2016,
road crashes in the country resulted in 1.50
lakh deaths and 4.95 lakh injuries.

In economic terms, these crashes amount

to a loss of three percent of
gross domestic product (GDP).
The annual economic losses to the country is
estimated to be more than Rs. 1,000 billion (US
dollars 20 billion)
 Accident Statistics (SOCIAL LOSS)
 90% of the road fatalities occur in developing
countries.
 Over one lakh people died on Indian roads last

year.
 1 person dies every 6 minutes. 10 are injured at

the same time frame.

 India’s percentage of global car population is 1%,

while India’s percentage of global car accidents is

10%. (SOCIAL LOSS)
Source: Presentation- 25th July 2008, Project manager (Road safety and design),
P.W.D Punjab
 Accident Statistics (ECONOMIC LOSS)
 Estimated annual road safety toll: more than 1
lakh deaths, 1.7 million serious injuries and 6.4
million minor injuries.
 At present Road Accident loss: 4 times Defense

budget (Rs. 54078 crores), 2 times Income Tax

(Rs. 98744 crores), or 4 times Service tax (50200
crores) as per Union Budget 2007-08.

Source: Presentation- 25th July 2008, Project manager (Road safety and design),
P.W.D Punjab
 Road Safety Scenario in India

A heterogeneous traffic mix that

includes high-speed and heavy haul
vehicles mostly overloaded, sharing
the road space with vulnerable road
users
Road Safety Scenario in India

Don’t permit overloading and

overcrowding
Road Safety Scenario in India

Don’t permit overcrowding in school

vehicles
Don’t permit overcrowding in school
vehicles
 Road Safety Scenario in India

 The problem is exacerbated by the behaviour of

drivers and road users.
 Does he want to have dinner with God?

Keep your 100% attention on Driving

Does he want to Suicide jointly with his Children ?
Is Saving of Some Money more Important than
Life ?
 Choose one when you have drunk?
1. Driving Seat 2. Life of you/Family Member
Why do you want to die with whole Family ?
Bad tendency of public about wearing of
helmet
Walk Facing the Traffic and Keep Children
Away from traffic
Don’t jump over the guard rail
Don’t cross between Vehicle standing
at traffic signals
Don’t cross over from in front of a bus at
a bus stop
Don’t hold to a faster vehicle
 Road Safety Scenario in India
A heterogeneous traffic mix, besides
road infrastructure where it is in poor and
hazardous condition, contributes to the
high fatality rates.

Road Safety Scenario in India
Road Safety Scenario in India

Low cut/eroded shoulders 64

 Road Safety Scenario in India

Inadequate connection between road and bridge

65
Road Safety Scenario in India

Blind Vertical curve 66

Road Safety Scenario in India

Blind Horizontal Curve 67

 BLACK SPOTS

Vision blocked due to trees 68

Road Safety Scenario in India

Overgrown bushes 69
 Road Safety Scenario in India

Overgrown vegetation causing blindness 70

 Road Safety Scenario in India

Subsidiary road meeting highway in a sharp rising slope71

 Road Safety Scenario in India

Constrictions due to proximity of trees

72
Road Safety Scenario in India

Tree branches from one side 73

 India – Current Scenario
 About 150000 fatalities and 500000 accidents annually – 17
persons die every hour
 Huge cost burden (3 percent of GDP), apart from adverse
social impact
 No downward trend still
 Lack of commitment and policy
 Diffused institutional responsibility; institutional
indifference so to say
 Weak enforcement of existing rules
 Low levels of driving discipline
 Poor post-crash emergency care
 Road safety just started receiving attention
 Lack of credible data on road accidents and causal analysis
 Lack of expertise
 Indian Scenario

 According to official statistics 150,785 persons were

killed and 494,264 people were injured in Traffic
Crashes in 2016. However, the Global Burden of
Disease report reported 266,974 deaths in 2016 from
Road Accidents.

 The fatality figure translates to 12,565 deaths

monthly, 418 deaths daily and 18 deaths per hour
which further tells us that every 3 minutes a person
on road dies due to accident
 Safety Scenario on Indian Roads

 Accidents - 0.5 million (annual)

(1 every minute)
 Injuries - 0.53 million (annual)


Fatalities ~ 1,50,000 (annual)
~ 400 daily (almost a jumbo jet)
~ 1 every 3 minute

Source – 1. MoRTH Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Government of India

India has the highest fatality rates
compared to Personal Vehicle
Ownership and official road traffic
fatality rates per 1 lakh population
Personal vehicle ownership and official road traffic
fatality rates per 100000 populations

(Source: W.H.O., 2015)

Figure: Road traffic deaths in India 1970 through 2016

Source: NCRB & Transport Research Wing

Data Collection of Accidents in India is inadequate, as
many cases of injuries and fatalities go unreported.

 The Accidents in 2016 were12 times higher than that

of 1970 growing at a rate of 6% per annum on an
average, which if remained unchecked would translate
to 200,000 deaths by 2030
 Major Reasons?
 Mixed Traffic
 Fast Moving
 Slow Moving
 Major Reasons (Contd.)

 User Attitude
Public apathy
Poor respect for
traffic rules
Low level of
awareness
Lack of driving
culture
Main Reasons for High Fatalities
Lack of planning and design for all
categories of users

Absence of Super-elevation 83
Main Reasons for High Fatalities

Lack of planning and design for all

categories of users

Blind junction 84
 Main Reasons for High Fatalities
 Inadequate and improper safety provisions for
VRUs (Vulnerable Road Users) on high speed
roads where impacts are more severe
Main Reasons for High Fatalities
Poor provision for VRU ?

Need to adopt safetY measures

 Reasons for High Fatalities
 Lack of commitment and insensitivity towards
criticality of safety on roads amongst policy
makers, planners, road authorities, designers,
developers, operators and users
 Tendency of quick results (short term view) on
lowest initial investment
Main Reasons for High Fatalities (contd.)
 Disregard / compromise on standards by
way of cost cutting
Cost Reduction for Delhi – Agra Project
Particulars Provisions for Rs. 8.56 Cr/km Provisions for Rs. 3.6 Cr/km
Major Bridges 01- reconstruction and widening 01- reconstruction and
widening
Minor Bridges 15 - reconstruction and widening 15 - reconstruction and
widening
15 New Nil
Flyovers 25 New Flyovers Nil
ROBs 7 - reconstruction and widening 7 - reconstruction and widening
Structures 1.4 km. long elevated corridor in Nil
costing more than Rs 50 cr. built up area of Sikandara

Vehicular Underpass 1 reconstruction and widening 1 reconstruction and widening

29 New Nil
Pedestrian Underpass and 59 new Nil
Subways
Service Roads Aggregate length of 34.0 kms with Nil
7m / 5.5m width
Safety Implications of Cost Reduction
Provisions deleted
15 minor bridges not
constructed
25 flyovers deleted
Elevated corridor at Sikandara
29 Vehicular Underpass
59 Pedestrian underpass
Service Roads
Safety Implications
15 locations would be hazardous and interruption to smooth
traffic flow .
25 locations would have at grade intersections, which would
be hazardous and interruption to smooth traffic flow
6-lane traffic would pass through built up area posing grave
danger to local habitants and causing congestion and speed
reduction.
At grade crossings of Vehicles from side roads creating
conflicts at 29 locations
Pedestrians would have to cross about 30m width of 6-lane
highway exposing them with the possibility of being hit by fast
moving vehicles at 59 locations (every 3 km); besides
interruption to smooth flow of traffic
Fast and slow traffic sharing same road space with parking on
main carriageway
 Main Reasons for High Fatalities
 Disregard for safety in Work zones
Road Safety Scenario in India

Unprotected foundation Excavation

93
 Road Safety Scenario in India

Construction Material dangerously near the road

94
Main Reasons for High Fatalities (contd.)
 Disregard / compromise on standards by
way of cost cutting
 Absence of ‘life cycle costing approach’ to
save on initial cost
 Piecemeal approach rather than holistic
systems approach
 Incident based response instead of pro-
active approach in road design and
operation
 Belief that human error is the major cause
of road traffic crashes (RTCs)
 More cars with capacity to be driven at high
speeds but with less in-vehicle safety
features
 Ineffective trauma care system
Factors ?
Road Crashes & Injuries – Factors Responsible

97
Crash Causing Factors – Changing
Understanding

Conventional Understanding Realistically Accepted Understanding

 Solution ?
Enhancement of Road
Safety?
 Road Transport System

Roads

Roads

Vehicles Users
 Main Constraints
 Inadequate Enforcement due to
Lack of
 Awareness / Skill
 Tools
 Training
 Lack of Safety Consciousness in
policy makers/ professionals
 Infrastructural Deficiencies for
Safer Travel
 Absence of Database and
Analysis
 Improper Driver Licensing
System
 In effective Institutional System
 Lack of Funds
 Road Safety: Critical Elements
 Road safety an inter/multi-disciplinary activity
 Coordination, integration – Challenge
 We talk of four E’s
There is one
 Engineering
more ‘E’
 Enforcement Environment
 Education (+ awareness)
 Emergency
 Four alphabets before E
 A, B, C, D (Attitude, Behaviour, Culture,
Discipline) – equally critical to enhance safety
Enhancement of Road Safety

• Road Safety is a result of Effective Measures and their

Integration in the areas of:

 Education
 Engineering (Roads & Vehicles )
 Emergency post Crash Care
 Enforcement

• Engineering (Roads) has more scope to go extra

mile in enhancing safety
1
0
3
 Coordinated efforts by agencies responsible for managing
different factors

• Road user education should make users

aware of and skilled enough to use the road
infrastructure appropriately with due
consideration to follow road users.
• Enforcement should provide enough
deterrence against irresponsible use of road
infrastructure and negligent use of road to the
detriment of fellow users.
104
 Coordinated efforts by agencies responsible for managing
different factors

• Vehicle should facilitate safe movement

and protect the inmates in case of any
crash.
• Road infrastructure and road side
environment should guide the users into
desirable paths, should prevent
undesirable movements and be forgiving
in case of unintentional mistakes.
105
The Basic Problem ? .
Speed that thrills is the speed that kills.
The Basic Issue ?
Unfortunately, in the rush to develop
and expand road infrastructure,
insufficient attention is being given to
road safety.

Increasing traffic volume, the rapid

growth in two wheelers, and the higher
speeds that become possible on
improved road, add to the safety
problem
The Basic Issue ?
It is therefore necessary to make every effort
to ensure that development of road
infrastructure projects do not further worsen
the road safety problem.
the issue concern with road safety are to be
properly understood and attended to minimize
the road accidents.
It is also necessary to sensitize the public and
road users to road safety concerns and the
role they can play in improving safety on
roads.
The Issue ?
Give a serious consideration to the road
safety issue and adopt safety standards for
all roads

OR 
BEAR THE BRUNT OF COMING
GENERATION FOR MAKING THE SO CALLED
GOOD BUT KILLING ROADS.
 Solution ?
Role of Engineering?
Approach to Reduce The Problem

To improve the safety of all road

users, it is recommended to adopt
safety measures and standards,
assessed solely on safety grounds.
Road safety measures should
preferably be identified with the help
of traffic and safety expert.
Approach to Reduce The Problem

Experience around the world has

demonstrated that it is possible to
substantially reduce potential safety
problems by implementing systematic
safety checks of various road projects
at various stages in the planning,
design construction and operation
process.
Approach to Reduce The Problem

Road safety should receive increasing

attention in different stages of road
development i.e.
during design,
during construction and
During operation & maintenance of all
roads.
Need ?
 Road accidents have been observed to increase.
 Hence there is a need to reduce the number of road accidents

and fatalities.
Objective
Engineers should aims at developing a Road
Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) to
improve the road safety .
Systematic Approach for Formulation of a
RSIP
A systemic road safety  improvement program is
identification of a set of remedial measures, to be
implemented on different sections in the road
network to reduce the injuries, fatalities, deaths
and loss of public properties because of road
accidents
(Kisty and Lall, 2009).
IDENTIFICATION OF BLACK SPOTS

Vision blocked due to trees 11

8
Safety Hazard locations?
 implement remedial measures

( Absence of Guard Rail may (Audit Recommendation to Provide

Cause off Tracking and Over
Guardrail/ Crash Barrier at Such
Turning of Vehicles Unsafe.
Locations Can Save Lives.
Safety measures at night
 Road Safety Improvement Program (RSIP), presently being

employed in a subjective approach, should be developed into

a quantitative method.
 Due to the increase in number of vehicles and a

corresponding increase in number of road accidents, Role of

a road safety engineer in the future.Is very important

Expected Outcome
Improved safety on Indian roads
Basic Approach for Road Safety Improvement  

4Es are important

• Engineering
• Enforcement
• Education and
• Emergency Care
The Engineering is first and most
important aspect of Road Safety.