3 Affordable Road Safety Technologies That Can Make Local Roads Safer

Despite the global advancement in road safety technology, many people continue to face injuries from vehicular accidents. The Asian Transport Observatory’s latest country profile observes that road safety remains a challenge in Pakistan, with seniors, minors, and pedestrians also affected in crashes. 

Often, we assume that safety interventions will be very expensive and impractical to implement on a larger scale. However, road safety technology is evolving in a way that makes many improvements achievable, from changes within our cars to enhancements on the road. 

Drawing inspiration from other countries in Asia and around the world offers valuable lessons on protecting people from road injuries. Here are three approaches that make good starting points.

1. Safer Road Engineering Design 

A primary focus area must be the engineering design standards for roads, particularly those vulnerable to accidents. Fortunately, many Asian countries have already been taking steps in this direction, focusing on making new roads safer and maintaining existing ones.

For example, Pakistan’s National Road Safety Strategy outlines guidelines for the 2018-2030 timeline. It aims to save over 6,000 lives that may have otherwise been lost to accidents. 

Broadly, the policy recommends road designs that meet the required safety rating. The aim is to attain at least 3-star ratings through more evidence-based road planning, construction, and maintenance. To do this, the authorities also ramp up safety audits and monitor/minimize hazardous locations.

Beyond such policies, it can be helpful to explore solutions proposed by further research in safe road design. 

A PwC report highlights how the lack of acceleration and deceleration lanes in national highways can become a risk for collisions. It also notes how the US has widely adopted continuous flow intersections to limit traffic congestion. Compared to traditional intersections, this design can facilitate smoother and safer transport.

2. Speed Safety Camera Systems

Another cost-effective technological intervention for road safety is the speed monitoring camera, which has started becoming popular globally. The concept is simple, but its potential may both deter and monitor unsafe driving behavior.

For instance, the Colorado Springs Police Department in the US recently announced an automated system for vehicle identification. It comprises mobile speed safety cameras (SSC) systems. The decision likely received impetus from the recent road accidents in the city, many of which caused casualties. 

In October this year, local media outlet KRDO13 reported that a car crashed into a home, causing death and destruction. In such events, a Colorado Springs auto accident attorney can offer legal support with obtaining financial compensation. However, technologies that facilitate inherently safer roads (and driving) are a sustainable approach to the problem.

The basic idea is that spotting speed safety cameras will discourage drivers from overspeeding, directly reducing the likelihood of crashes. According to Springs Law Group, victims pursuing legal action in personal injury cases benefit from supporting documents, such as evidence of medical treatment they have undergone. Evidence collected from camera footage in the region can also help establish unsafe driving behavior. 

Cities planning to implement this technology will need adequate signage to warn drivers. This will check that the camera’s location is clear, avoiding any ambiguity. Authorities often consider issuing warnings for the first few weeks before proceeding to fines.

3. Vehicular Safety Technologies

Ramping up the safety of the vehicles on the road is a necessary step to complement the above two proposals. This will require more effective interventions to avoid collisions and facilitate smooth driving in poor weather conditions.

For example, many vehicles now come with emergency braking systems. Automated systems can predict collisions and take action even if the driver is slow to react. The new Honda Accord offers traffic signal recognition as well as road-departure mitigation. The latter prevents vehicles from unintentionally drifting off the road, which can occur in congested areas or when driving on poorly maintained roadways.

Recently, the WHO organized a convention to gather expert insights on improving vehicle safety in Asia. Evolving technologies, such as AI-driven monitoring, emerged as a powerful solution for preventing crashes. In general, automotive safety and automated vehicles that make this easier for drivers of varying expertise levels can effectively make roads safer.

Integrating such approaches into legislation and bringing all stakeholders on board will be crucial to make long-lasting changes. For instance, seminars on crash investigations and improvement in road safety education in driving schools can set the right foundation. These educational and policy-level initiatives work with technological improvements, ensuring that the impact is felt and utilized by the community.

From a broader perspective, making roads safer needn’t involve expensive drones or the flying machines we see in superhero movies. While technology plays a key part in improving safety, the process can start with small, affordable interventions.

As we hope for a safer future ahead for drivers and pedestrians, we must be open to making such changes at all levels, including the design table, engineering workshops, and driver training institutes. After all, the ecosystem works well as a unit.