Connecting data, people, and policies for safer roads
This transformative initiative, funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF), used innovative tools and methodologies to significantly reduce road deaths in Armenia by 2030.
A Collaborative Effort
A joint project by UNDP and UNICEF in Armenia, "Re-framing road safety in Armenia: connecting data, people and policies on Armenian roads," aimed to achieve this reduction by 2030. Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, highlighted the project's importance:
“This project, implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI), as well as the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Yerevan Municipality, has paved the way for more systematic and comprehensive initiatives in reducing road accidents, fatalities and injuries in Armenia. We stand ready to leverage innovation and transformative change to make the roads of Armenia safer for everyone, now and for generations to come."
Data-Driven Approach
The project established a first-of-its-kind real-time road crash black spot data analytics platform. This platform, enriched with data from over 23,000 road crashes, provided crucial insights.
Pilot Intervention and Policy Change
Leveraging this data, UNDP's SDG Innovation Lab implemented a pilot intervention on the Yerevan-Proshyan highway, a critical black spot. Kristine Ghalechyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, reflected on the success:
Such initiatives empower policymakers to make evidence-based decisions leveraging big data analytics and behavioural interventions. The MTAI has endorsed the pilot intervention near the Proshyan settlement of the M1 interstate highway as an exemplary result of data-driven and evidence-based decision-making facilitated by UNDP in Armenia.”
Behavioural Change for Safer Roads
Data-inspired behavioural interventions engaged over 21,000 drivers previously penalized for speeding. Arpine Sargsyan, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, emphasized the impact:
This project has effectively tackled multiple critical aspects related to road safety in Armenia, including data analysis for identifying black spots, targeted road interventions, and behavioural interventions aimed at addressing speeding drivers. It is through such innovative and multifaceted initiatives that we can achieve desired outcomes via data-driven, evidence-based decision-making, and policy development. We look forward to the continuation of such impactful initiatives."
Global Impact
The Head of the UN Road Safety Fund Secretariat, Ms Nneka Henry, highlighted the project's global significance:
By leveraging cutting-edge strategies and technologies, the UNRSF aims to revolutionize road safety measures across the globe, ensuring a safer environment for all road users. Innovation is key to addressing the complex challenges of road safety, and this project exemplifies our commitment to adopting forward-thinking solutions to save lives and prevent injuries on the roads. Together with our partners, we are dedicated to reshaping the narrative on road safety and creating lasting impact across Armenia."
Educating the Next Generation
As part of this project, UNICEF developed a comprehensive road safety educational program for young children and parents, reaching over 500 children and 800 parents in pilot kindergartens.
Looking Forward
The project concluded with a panel discussion emphasizing the importance of evidence-based approaches to future road safety policies.
Overall, this collaborative and innovative project serves as a model for improving road safety through data analysis, targeted interventions, and public education.