The problem

According to the latest WHO report (2023), Africa is the worst performing Continent in road safety. The rate of road traffic deaths is 19 per 100,000 population. In terms of absolute values, 225,482 deaths or 19% of the global burden. In addition, Africa has the second highest proportion of pedestrian and cyclist mortalities with 31% of deaths. To reverse this trend, it is essential to bear in mind that road safety problems in Africa should be preferably considered in their own context, as well as the proposed solutions to address them.

Towards this direction, the Research Centre for Transport and Logistics (CTL) has ample proven experience in international road safety projects funded by various international organizations, many of them in developing countries, especially in the African continent. The general objective of is to set up the Africa Road Safety Academic Network (ARSANet). Thus, the project will focus on defining the structure, mission, vision and statutes of ARSANet. The proposed activities aim, in fact, to promote a dialogue among the participants and to encourage knowledge sharing, cooperation in the conceptualization of road safety problems and potential solutions, and the research and analysis of preferred alternative solutions for the African continent.

Our approach

In order to achieve the project objectives, the following three main activities have been proposed: 

1. Set up ARSANet. During this activity the structure of ARSANet will be defined. Specifically, the statutes, mission, vision, structure and organization, membership, termination of membership, members’ obligations, meetings, finances of the network, language and other general rules will be defined.
2. Definition of the first programme of work. Keeping in mind that once the project is completed the network will continue to function over time, a work program will be defined every 3 years. This work program should include the main activities on which ARSANet will focus. Thus, after having defined the general rules of ARSANet (Task 1), Task 2 will focus on establishing the first work program of the network.
3. ARSANet website development. With the objective of sharing information related to ARSENet, the network website will be built and put online. Initially the website will include the results of Task 1 and Task 2, then it will be evaluated which additional information can be uploaded.

Partners

CTL (Project Coordinator), National Advanced School of Public Works (Cameroon), Lagos State University (Nigeria), Zamzam University (Somalia), Bahir Dar University (Ethiopia), Kyambogo University (Uganda), University of eSwatini (Eswatini)