University-Based Program to Increase Professional Capacity to Address the Global Road Safety Epidemic

Background: Rapid deployment of motor vehicles globally has contributed to increased economic development. However, with benefits of motorization have come fatalities and injuries: more than 1.2 million fatalities and 50 million injuries in 2009; about half are vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The World Bank and the World Health Organization have both directed major attention to this global road safety epidemic.

Methods: The bureaucratic and physical infrastructure for maintaining safety has failed to keep pace with rapid motorization. There is an urgent need for professional development—engineers, researchers, planners, policy makers, public health officials, program planners, and evaluation specialists. The Safe Transportation Education and Research Center (SafeTREC) has already hosted and supported a large number of students and visiting scholars for the study of road safety from many countries, including China, India, Israel, Iran, South Korea, France, Brazil, and Mexico.

Results: SafeTREC has now established a formal Global Road Safety Training Program at UC Berkeley for students and visiting scholars from countries around the globe. The program will: (i) develop funding sources to support students and visiting scholars; (ii) mentor and guide program participants; (iii) develop and conduct road safety courses and seminars; and (iv) provide administrative support.

Conclusion: An increasing burden of roadway fatalities and injuries is unfolding around the world. There is an urgent need for trained professionals deployed at a global level to address this burden. A Global Road Safety Training Program is being developed at UC Berkeley to help develop this global capacity.