Vision Zero: latest road safety research and initiatives from Brake

Global initiatives Policy: Mobility The creation of healthier spaces where more people can travel on foot or by bicycle will help countries reach their targets to reduce physical inactivity in adults and adolescents by 15% by 2030, according to a new action plan from the World Health Organization (WHO). Regular exercise is key to preventing and treating non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and breast and colon cancer, which cause more than 70% of all deaths each year. WHO’s new global action plan for physical activity recognises the need for stronger global, regional and national coordination to address the complex problem of physical inactivity, and recommends 20 policy actions that stakeholders can take to create societies where people of all ages can be more active. Sustainability Research: Vehicle emissions Diesel cars in the European Union emit up to 18 times the nitrous oxide (NOx) limit specified in the Euro vehicle standards, according to data published by the Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) initiative. The initiative has gathered evidence on the real-world NOx emissions of more than 350,000 European cars, and uses a simple traffic light system to rank cars, according to their emissions, as good (green), moderate (yellow) or poor (red). Results indicate that NOx emissions for diesel cars are consistently higher than for their petrol-fuelled counterparts. Exposure to NOx is linked to increased hospital admissions due to respiratory problems, while long-term exposure may affect lung function.

Vehicles Research: Electric vehicles Vehicle manufacturers are failing to meet sales targets for electric cars, despite high levels of consumer interest, according to a policy report published by the campaign group Transport & Environment. The report cites limited choice and availability, long waiting times and lack of advertising investment as key contributing factors for low sales of both battery-powered and plug-in hybrid models. Around one-third of consumers in Britain, France and Germany say they would consider buying an electric car, yet only 1.5% of car manufacturers’ advertising budget is spent on promoting low-emission models. In 2017, zero-emission models accounted for 7% of new vehicle models on sale. Despite this, car manufacturers predict that by 2025, 26% of all new cars sold will be electric. Roads Research: Kerb space Kerb spaces are not just for street parking and should be managed dynamically to adapt to different uses and users, according to a new report from the International Transport Forum. The report urges stakeholders to take a strategic approach towards the allocation of public space in cities and to consider kerb spaces as flexible areas for the drop-off and pick-up of passengers and freight, rather than focusing on their use for street parking. ITF advises public authorities to follow shared mobility principles for liveable cities, prioritising people over vehicles and supporting the shared and efficient use of vehicles, lanes, kerbs and land – including minimising parking space per person. Post-crash response Research: International road crash data All countries should adopt a safe system approach to reduce the number of road deaths quickly and effectively, says the International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD). As well as spelling out the requirement for countries to take a systematic and integrated approach towards road safety, IRTAD’s latest road safety report recommends more rigorous enforcement of basic road safety standards, including seatbelt and helmet use, and action against speeding and drink-driving. It also calls for a greater level of investigation into the causes of serious injury crashes and investment in safe cycling infrastructure to support the increased popularity of cycling. Despite long-term positive trends and reductions in the overall number of road deaths in IRTAD member countries in 2017, most countries are still a long way from achieving the 50% reduction in road deaths set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Preliminary figures indicate that in some low- and middle-income countries, the number of road deaths has increased. Research: Data collection Police road crash records are an important but incomplete source of information that must be supported by data from additional sources (e.g. hospital records) to give an accurate indication of road risk, according to the a new report from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). The report reviews current data collection methodologies across Europe, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and offers recommendations on how to collate accurately and analyse road crash data from a range of viable sources. Raising awareness A new alliance has been formed to accelerate the decarbonisation of the transport sector and move towards a zero emission mobility system by 2050. The Transport Decarbonisation Alliance (TDA) describes itself as a ‘coalition of the willing’ and brings together countries, cities and companies from across the world to promote sustainable, low-carbon mobility. The TDA aims to ensure that all transport sub-sectors contribute to the objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.