BIGRS IndiaRAP online series – World Bank and iRAP help to save lives on Indian Roads

During this difficult time with COVID19, it is important that we remain connected, sharing knowledge across the world and work together to ensure we can continue to save lives on our roads. Online learning is an excellent way to build on knowledge and skills.

With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies under the BIGRS 2020-2025, the World Bank’s GRSF and iRAP have partnered to deliver periodic learning events on the iRAP methodology. Every webinar series will put in the spotlight a country with significant road safety lessons to be shared.

This comes after the success of a joint webinar held in December 2019, where iRAP and the World Bank delivered an important key outcomes webinar to share the successes of the initial 2015-19 phase of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety.

The first of the free-of-charge series focussed on India and was held in June 2020.

The 4-part series saw a record 670 registrations from 77 countries around the world, in total 448 people from 53 countries attended the live sessions. In addition to this, 295 participants chose to participate in the online learning course where they could complete assignments for each session and get certifications.

The intention of the online learning series is to help build capacity of road authorities and engineers around the world interested in the iRAP methodology to eliminate high-risk roads, unlock the economic benefits of 3-star or better roads through results-based financing, and meet global SDG and UN Target obligations.

The focus of the BIGRS IndiaRAP webinar series was the road safety experience and lessons learned in India, presenting how the local program– IndiaRAP was created, and the safety assessments that were conducted across the country.

After the success of this series, we invite everyone to watch the recorded videos as a playlist on our iRAP YouTube Channel, alternatively you can click on the individual links below.

Content examples

During the webinar series, IndiaRAP representatives provided a snapshot of India’s roads and what has been assessed and upgraded so far using iRAP’s Methodology.

Highlighted project example:

State Highway 20 (SH20) connecting Belgaum – Yaragatti in Karnataka was improved as a Safe Corridor Demonstration Project under the World Bank funded Karnataka State Highway Improvement Program (KSHIP-II). The project preparation involved Star Rating of the road before improvement, Star Rating of the design, and post construction Star Rating.

The post-construction assessments showed significant improvement in the road length with 3-star or better for all road users. The crash data records show significant reduction in injuries and over 50% reduction in fatalities post improvement.

This was achieved through targeted safety interventions such as improvement of intersections, facilities for pedestrian and traffic calming in village/town areas and at major intersections. Please watch the online training to find out more information on the progress of the IndiaRAP Programme.

This online training is being supported by the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility (GRSF) under the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and is a continuation of the GRSF and World Bank’s active engagement with various State Public Works Departments, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and National Highways Authority of India, including under the BIGRS 2015-2019.

Useful links:

To know more about IndiaRAP, click here.
To see IndiaRAP’s case studies of implementation click here.
If you are interested in more online training opportunities from iRAP please click here.
If you would like to know more about the online series: World Bank and iRAP share success of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety series – 10 cities and 5 countries in 5 years, click here.

Useful World Bank blogs: