Road safety assessment boosted with Connected Vehicle technology

The integration of connected vehicle data into iRAP projects marks a significant step forward in road safety assessment methodologies

The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) is integrating cutting-edge Connected Vehicle technology into its International Road Assessment Program (iRAP) work. This innovative approach, in collaboration with Compass IoT, is transforming road safety and some new developments bring us one step closer to mapping all roads with an iRAP safety star rating.

The iRAP model, used by RSF, gives roads a star rating from 1 to 5, to identify risks and prioritise improvements to prevent fatalities and serious injuries. One of the advantages of using connected vehicle data in this model is its ability to measure operational speeds directly from the vehicle, network-wide.

“The aim of iRAP at its inception was to develop a methodology that would be similar to a New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), but for roads. To try and increase the safety standard of roads,” explained Suzy Charman, Executive Director at the Road Safety Foundation.

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Charman worked with road authorities in Wales using Compass IoT’s operational speed data to inform iRAP ratings across the country. This approach eliminated the need for tube counts traditionally used to gather operational speed data and allowed data to be collected in areas of the network where tube counters cannot be installed.

“We very happily worked with Compass IoT to get that speed data in the model,” said Charman, “I’ve been a big fan of telematics and connected vehicle speed data for years now. But even I was astonished when we compared connected vehicle speed data with traditional tube survey data – it was so close.”

The success of the Wales project has sparked interest beyond the UK. An Australian road authority has also adopted Compass’ operational speed data for their AusRAP ratings, which is based on the international iRAP model. Notably, the authority found that the data covered over 99% of their state-wide road network, showing the extensive reach and reliability of connected vehicle data.

The Road Safety Foundation is now exploring the potential of adding g-force data to identify harsh swerving and braking to more objectively fulfil the quality attributes in the iRAP model. This additional data could improve insights into road safety and driver behaviour, enabling more targeted interventions.

Marinos Tsiplakis, General Manager at Compass IoT, commented on the future possibilities: “Our partnership with the Road Safety Foundation and the successful implementation in Wales is just the beginning. We’re excited about the potential of our g-force data to further enhance road safety assessments and contribute to creating safer road environments for all users.”

The integration of connected vehicle data into the RSF’s iRAP projects marks a significant step forward in road safety assessment methodologies. As this technology continues to improve, it’s poised to become an essential tool for road safety organisations and governments worldwide.