Everyone agrees: the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on UK roads remains too high. 2023 saw almost 30,000 KSIs recorded and it was nearly the same in 2022. Further pressure on this rate to fall increasingly comes directly from the public, who demand zero harm on our roads. But as the problem continues to persist, industry and government must address it through collaboration, learning and exceptional execution from organisations in the highways sector.
Alex Walton is innovation director and product owner for road safety at Arcadis
To achieve zero harm across the country, we must start with something no roadway design can address: the behaviour of our drivers. Fatigue, distraction and dangerous driving remain leading causes of harm, and Department for Transport data shows that 56% of fatal collisions in 2023 involved at least one speed-related factor. Government must commit to more public education on the dangerous impacts of dangerous driving, including moving beyond traditional channels. The youngest drivers, who are statistically the most dangerous, have to be reached via channels beyond traditional public service announcements.
Then there are areas where industry can directly make an impact, collaborating with government. Through partnerships driven by data, we can help prioritise interventions across the vast network with an emphasis on safety and contribute to a reduction in KSI’s. Arcadis, in collaboration with Michelin Mobility Intelligence, is already using existing data including harsh braking, rash driving, dangerous cornering and speeding to guide asset management and road safety strategies. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can further enhance data analysis and decision-making.
We also need to learn from others who have successfully reduced harm without sacrificing quality. In aviation, there has been a significant focus on monitoring and addressing the causes of near miss collisions and applying similar practices to roads could yield significant benefits. Novel technologies now make it easier to track and respond to near misses on our roadways more efficiently, and focusing on the end-user may be the most effective option. Improved digital connectivity offers opportunities to better communicate road safety information to drivers. For example, real-time audio alerts can warn connected users about specific scenarios based on their location, speed and other factors.
Industry also needs to bring solutions to the marketplace that acknowledge the cost constraints that government faces in addressing safety challenges across a vast system of roads. We know road asset owners are facing increasing financial constraints due to macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures. Delivering interventions within tight budgets is essential to achieving zero harm. Lean, efficient delivery – focusing on better asset management and operational expenditure – can ensure systems operate optimally and enhance safety while staying cost-effective.
Achieving zero harm is a shared responsibility that no single organisation can fulfil alone. Collaboration between public and private entities, as well as across the pillars of the safe system approach, is essential to developing and implementing comprehensive solutions. Arcadis and Michelin Mobility Intelligence exemplify this by integrating innovations from road authorities and vehicle operators, combining diverse data sources with design and consultancy expertise to address road safety concerns, through a data-driven spectrum of interventions, working collaboratively with stakeholders to enable the best prioritisation of road safety initiatives.
Despite the challenges, progress toward safer roads is encouraging. Government data shows that fatalities per 1.6bn km (1bn miles) travelled dropped by 94% from 89.7 in 1958 to five in 2022. This plainly shows that substantial progress is possible with diligence, innovation and time and gives reason to believe that zero harm is an achievable goal.
Road safety extends beyond the avoidance of harm to road users through accident prevention; it also supports efficient, user-friendly infrastructure. We invite all sector stakeholders’ collaboration in this space to drive further improvements and a sustainable future for our roads.
- Alex Walton is innovation director and product owner for road safety at Arcadis
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