Case studies, lectures and workshops on intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and policies that encourage safe driving behaviour will be among the agenda for an upcoming national road safety forum in Doha.

The third annual ITS & Road Safety Forum, endorsed by Qatar’s  Ministry of Interior and Ashghal Public Works Authority, will take place from September 21 to 23. The forum will be held in alignment with the Qatar National Road Safety Strategy2013-2022 (NRSS).

The forum will put the spotlight on safe design and delivery of road and transport networks; and public awareness campaigns that inspire drivers and pedestrians to put road safety first. Traffic safety has been high on the national agenda since the National Traffic Safety Committee laid out a plan to save at least 800 lives and prevent 2,000 serious injuries within the next 10 years.

A senior representative at Ashghal Public Works Authority will introduce the ITS Master Plan in the inaugural keynote. The presentation will also detail expectations and deliverables of the Master Plan, a necessity for any company planning to submit a tender for the project later this year.

Mohamad Al Malki, a member and general secretary of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, will detail the role of the National Road Safety Strategy in reducing fatalities, while injury prevention director at the Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr Rafael Consunji, will confer HMC’s latest model for implementing child passenger safety.

Soames Job, managing director of Global Road Safety Solutions, and Adjunct Professor of Road Safety at the University of New South Wales, will offer international case studies from Australia, New Zealand and Europe to discuss the management of speeds, roads and roadsides for safety, and the use of seat belts.

Job said: “It is wonderful to see a country seriously focused on reducing the death and suffering occurring on the roads of the country. The Qatar National Road Safety Strategy is profoundly important for achievement of better road safety.  The strategy has critical implications for the improved management of speeding and pedestrian safety.”

Ian Machen, of the engineering and design firm Atkins, said: “There are some good examples of best practices already in use across the region. We need to explore and examine these to understand how to effectively implement and drive improvements in road safety and behaviours.”

“We all need to take responsibility for our actions and to be part of promoting and supporting a safe road culture. This applies whether we are drivers, pedestrians or cyclists, and no matter the organisations we represent. Fundamentally, this is about changing attitudes and behaviours. The starting point needs to be an acceptance that serious traffic accidents are currently too high and that we need to work together to improve road safety,” he added.

For the first time, an award series will be held to honour those who add to the safety and security of our roads. Award categories at the ITS & Road Safety Awards Ceremony include Best Public Awareness Campaign; Outstanding Partnership for Road Safety Improvement; Best Engineering Innovation; Best Youth Engagement Programme; Excellence in Traffic Law Enforcement; and Most Innovative ITS Implementation.

The closing deadline for nominations is August 10. – TradeArabia News Service