accident research institute (ari): past ......1 accident research institute (ari): past, present and...
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ACCIDENT RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ARI): PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
INTRODUCTION:
Of all the systems with which people have to deal every day, road traffic systems are
the most complex and the most dangerous. In spite of great progress in international traffic
safety work, traffic accidents still cause a large and increasing number of fatalities and severe
injuries particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh. Worldwide, the number of
people killed in road traffic crashes is estimated almost 1.3 million and at least 50 million are
injured each year.
Many countries of the world comprising developed and developing have drastically
reduced or controlled road traffic accidents and injuries by the means of scientific and
pragmatic policies, strategies, guidance, intervention and evaluation in spite of the enormous
increase in travel demand and mobility and It is predicted that the number of people killed on
roads will rise by at least 80 percent over the next 20 years in developing countries like
Bangladesh whereas it is expected to decrease by 30 percent in high income countries (iRAP,
2008b) unless any effective measures are taken. Sustained declining trends of road fatalities
in the developed countries have been attributed to concerted efforts in many sectors including
effective coordination, community involvement, well researched road safety initiatives, road
safety good practices and improved targeting of resources. In developing countries like
Bangladesh major considerations of such approaches are required with due urgency and
commitment.
The statistics revealed that Bangladesh has one of the highest fatality rates in road
accidents with over 50 fatalities per 10,000 on-road motor vehicles. Vulnerable Road Users
(VRUs) viz. pedestrians, children, bicyclists, cycle rickshaw occupants and pullers are the
worst affected victims and account for nearly 80 percent of road traffic accidents fatalities in
Bangladesh. In combating this epidemic on road, some major initiatives have been
undertaken in Bangladesh in the past decade including policy formulation, research,
education, legislation and sanction and engineering intervention. The Government of
Bangladesh is now becoming concern about the growing road safety problems and is trying to
fight against such trauma on our roads. As a part of Government’s as well as private
initiatives some pragmatic programs have been taken to ensure safer transportation. Efforts
are underway for integrating different organizations both at public and private sectors, civil
societies, communities and individuals towards identifying their specific roles and
responsibilities and thereby developing effective measures to tackle road safety problems in
Bangladesh.
In respect to the magnitude of the problems, these initiatives are at a very infant level
and the progresses is very slow for the causes of enormous constraints at different levels.
Indeed, the allocation for road safety research and intervention is very low in comparison to
other diseases and disasters. Lack of firm commitment and efforts of the government,
communities, organizations and individuals, inadequate understanding of the problems,
shortage of professional bodies and qualified manpower have also hindered the activities and
initiatives.
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MAGNITUDE OF THE ROAD SAFETY PROBLEMS IN BANGLADESH
Accident Statistics
Like many other countries in the world, police are officially responsible for reporting
and recording of road accidents and casualties in Bangladesh. According to the police
reported official statistics, there were at least 3764 fatalities and 3284 injuries in 4426
reported accidents in 2008 (PFIR, 2008). Reported road traffic accidents statistics of the last
decades are given in Table 1. A study on Bangladesh Road Crash Costing conducted by the
Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) funded by the United Kingdom (UK) Department of
International Development (DFID) in 2003 showed that there was 885,056 accidents and
among them 10,692 was fatal, 106,062 were grievous, 147,660 minor and 442,981 were
property damage accidents (TRL, 2003). This study also estimated that the total casualties
resulting from road traffic accidents were 529,880, among them 12,792 fatalities and 165,464
seriously injured (TRL, 2003). Significant fluctuations in the numbers of fatalities and
injuries as reported by police clearly reflect the problems of reporting and recording
inconsistencies. It can be noted here that this reporting inconsistencies might be attributed for
the different methodological system of data collection and accident fatalities defining criteria
but this fluctuation could be same level in the previous year and gradually reduces in the
recent year because of various positives responses which will discussed in the succeeding
sections.
Table 1: Number of Road Accidents, Fatalities, and Injuries in Bangladesh
Year
No. of
Accidents No. of Fatalities No. of Injuries
Total
Casualties
Traffic
fatalities
per
10,000
vehicles
(on road
vehicle)
*
FIR1 MAAP
2 FIR4
MAAP5
FIR4 MAAP
5 FIR4
MAAP5
1998 4769 3533 3085 2358 3997 3297 7082 5655 78.24
1999 4916 3948 3314 2893 3453 3469 6767 6362 79.60
2000 4357 3970 3430 3058 1911 3485 5341 6543 78.09
2001 4091 2925 3109 2388 3127 2565 6236 4953 66.39
2002 4918 3941 3398 3053 3772 3285 7170 6338 67.18
2003 4749 4114 3289 3334 3818 3740 7107 7074 61.03
2004 3917 3566 2968 3150 2752 3026 5720 6176 53.71
2005 4949 3322 3187 2960 2754 2570 5941 5530 52.86
2006 3794 3549 3193 3160 2409 2123 5602 5283 50.44
2007 4869 3910 3749 3250 3273 2102 7022 5352 56.41
2008 4426 - 3764 - 3284 - 7048 - 53.93
Source: Police reported Micro Computer Accident Analysis Package (MAAP) data base
* Note: Traffic fatalities per 10,000 vehicles (on road vehicle) calculated considering the FIR
data as there is reported more number of fatalities
1 FIR: First Information Record, the case entry record in the police log-book 2 MAAP: Microcomputer Accident Analysis Package, Police reported accident database in
the prescribed form.
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Fatality Rate
Figure 1 shows fatality rates in various countries as function of per-capita income.
The Indian fatality rate (represented by the red square) is in the middle of the range for low-
income countries (Mohan, 2004) and the Bangladeshi fatality rate (represented by the red
circle) is in the bottom of the range for low-income countries. This may be attributed to
significant amount of underreporting as well as high population density coupled with low
motorization level. As incomes in Bangladesh increases along with motor-vehicle use,
Bangladesh is becoming a middle income country, the present trends fatalities per million
persons and the experience of some mid-income countries suggest that fatalities could see a
dramatic rise before they start to drop, consistent with the so-called Kuznets curve (e.g.,
McManus, 2007). However, future trends may be altered if vehicle design, road building,
education and traffic management policies include the latest scientific countermeasures.
Figure 1: Traffic Fatality rates per 100,000 persons in 116 countries. Bangladesh is
represented by red circle and India is represented by the red square (Mohan, 2004)
The ‘fatality rates’, i.e. the estimated number of road traffic accident fatalities per 10,000 on
road motor vehicle for Bangladesh (over 50) is very high by international standards, as the
fatality rates for motorized countries is usually less than 2 (2 in the United States of America
and 1.4 in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). “A Review Of Global
Road Accident Fatalities” conducted by Jacobs and Thomas showed that the Bangladesh has
one of the highest fatality rates in road accidents, over 40 deaths per 10,000 registered motor
vehicles (Jacobs et al, 2000). Table 1 also shows the trends of fatalities per 10,000 on road
motorized vehicles in Bangladesh.
Trends of Road Traffic Accidents and Fatalities in Bangladesh
Total Number of Accidents and Fatalities: The road safety situation in Bangladesh has
improved quite significantly in recent years. According to the police reported accident
records, the number of fatalities has been increasing from 187 in 1972 to 3764 in 2008, nearly
10 percent per year in the total 37 years life of Bangladesh but in the last decade this
numbers are not equally increased (3314 in 1999 to 3764 in 2008, 2% per year)(Figure 3).
However, from this figure it is evaluated that there are no significant increase of accidents,
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fatalities, injuries and casualties have taken place in the last decade in Bangladesh in spite of
increase of huge umber of population, personal trips, vehicles (formal, informal; motorized,
non-motorized), road network as well as increase of level of understanding on the necessity
of accident reporting and recording particularly for the continuous monitoring of media
personnel and introduction of formal accident reporting system. This is attributable partly to
an improvement of road condition (in the form of curve straightening, carriageway widening,
black spot treatment etc.), construction of new national and regional highway with the help of
foreign consultants incorporating pre-safety auditing approach, increase in the number of
high standard vehicles on the road (like Volvo, Hino etc.), improved road users education
and awareness level and partly to the enhancement of a coordinated official policy to control
the problem and police enforcement.
In the Figure 3, it is also seen that there is an extreme fluctuation in the year of 1997 to 1999.
This may be attributed for the introduction of newly developed accident reporting form and
organizing series of training program for the police personnel in particular aims to enhance
their capacity regarding proper way of reporting and filling up of different attribute data in
the Accident Report Form (ARF) under the Institutional Development Component (IDC) of
South-West Road Network Development Project (SRNDP) project.
Figure 3: Traffic Accidents, Fatalities, 1972 through 2008.
Fatalities per Million Persons and per 100 Km RHD Roads: Figure 5 shows the trends for
fatalities per million persons and per 100 km Road and Highways Department (RHD) roads
in Bangladesh. Fatalities per million persons indicate the national health burden of traffic
crashes. For Bangladesh, the fatality rates have increased from 2.74 fatalities per million
persons and 4.48 fatalities per 100 RHD roads in 1972 to 29.8 and 17.83 respectively in 2008
(Figure 4) but in the last decade it has also not significantly increased (15.81 to 17.83 and
26.91 to 29.81 respectively). Figure 5 shows that the overall fatalities per 10,000 on road
motor vehicles have increased from 40 in 1972 to 53 in 2008, it has decreased in the last
decade by about 31 Percent (78 to 53). Both the figures show the same fluctuation in the
same period, may be attributed from the same reason.
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From these figures it can also be concluded that as the degree of exposure in the form of
number of trips, number of vehicles, road users as well as amount of road network are ever
increasing, this trends shows a positive and hopeful sign.
Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Kilometers: Accident and Fatality rates with respect to
vehicle kilometer are calculated based on vehicle Operation Survey data conducted by Roads
and Highways (RHD) department in different years. Table 3 represent the total vehicle
kilometer travel by motorized vehicles and the accidents and fatalities per 100 Million
vehicle kilometers over a period of 5 years (1999 to 2004).
Table 3 : Accidents and Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Kilometers
Year Total veh-km No. of
accidents
No. of accidents
per 100 million
veh-km
No. of
fatalities
No. of fatalities
per 100 million
veh-km
1999 13,419,385,000 4,916 37 3,314 25
2000 12,719,533,000 4,357 34 3,430 27
2002 14,125,435,000 4,918 35 3,398 24
2004 21,042,770,900 3,917 19 2,968 14
Source: RHD (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005a)
The above table shows that in a span of five years total annual vehicle kilometers
driven by motor vehicles have increased by 57 percent. The corresponding accident and
fatality rates have decreased by 49 percent and 43 percent respectively per 100 million
vehicle kilometers of vehicles plying on road. Significant reduction in accident and fatality
rates per 100 million vehicle kilometers also indicate a positive approach towards traffic
safety improvements in the country.
Figure 4: Traffic fatality per Million Persons
and per 100 km RHD roads, 1972 through
2008 (Police, RHD, BBS).
Figure 5: Traffic fatality per 10,000 on road
motor vehicles, 1972 through 2008 (Police,
BRTA).
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Picture 1: ARI Building
ESTABLISHMENT OF ARI AT BUET
The Accident Research Institute (ARI),
formerly known as Accident Research
Centre (ARC), a centre first of its kind,
was established under the top priority
programs of the Government of the
People’s Republic of Bangladesh to carry
out scientific studies and research
regarding the causes of accidents on roads,
railways and waterways and
commensurate remedial measures.
The Proposed Accident research
started its activities from January 2002. At
its inception activities were managed at the
Traffic Engineering and Safety Research
Centre of transportation and Traffic
Engineering Division of the Civil Engineering Department, BUET. Later on the center sifted
to its own full-fledged 4-storied building sides the Department of Urban and Regional
Planning (URP), BUET. After nearly six years of launching, the Accident Research Institute
(ARI) has been established by the Syndicate of BUET in its 418th meeting held on 12
January 2008 following the recommendation of the Finance Committee on 08/01/2008
(Office Order No- Songstha/E-30/Re-3806, Dated- 29/01/2008) by converting the erstwhile
Accident Research Centre (ARC).
WHAT IS ARI
It is a Center of Excellence for the advancement of safety research in Bangladesh. The
main objectives of the Institute are to carry out scientific research and investigation to
ascertain the causes of accidents on roads, railways and waterways in Bangladesh. The
Institute has also given the mandated function to create awareness for safety issues at
different stages of community across the country and shared acquired knowledge with the
Professionals at different levels to ensure safer transportation system.
ARI conducts appropriate training programs and workshops to develop qualified human
resources for professional capacity building and also for creating mass awareness on road
safety. In addition, ARI is expected to play major role to develop pragmatic, cost-effective
scientific solutions and bring about significant improvements in the capability of the
professionals and workers in the field of transportation to a meaningful level of expertise for
accident prevention and injury control and thereby contribute to the safer road environment
for all users and operators. ARI is also exploring the possible scopes for exchanging
knowledge and technologies through collaboration with several renowned and specialized
overseas institutions, organizations and universities etc. at local, regional and international
levels.
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Aims & Objectives
• The primary focus of the ARI will be on transport related accidents and injuries.
Eventually its scope will be broadened to encompass accidents and injuries in all
settings.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive accident and injury database.
• Ascertain and maintain the causes of accidents and injuries and contributory factors.
• Develop accident countermeasures and safety interventions on the basis of scientific
studies and engineering knowledge.
• Monitor and evaluate road safety programs and accidents countermeasures.
• Assess economic, social and health impacts of accidents and injuries.
• Conduct high quality research on technological, behavioural and educational safety
improvement opportunities and their cost effectiveness.
• Provide training and education on accident prevention and safety technology and
management.
• Introduce and administer road safety courses leading to certificates, diplomas and
degrees (undergraduate and postgraduate levels).
• Disseminate and share the knowledge and translate them into safety policies and
practices.
• Foster safety research excellence through exchange and linkage with
institutes/organizations at regional and international levels.
• Provide advisory and expert services to the relevant organizations on the matter of
road/rail/water ways safety and safety promotions.
• Through the wider expansion of research works, eventually the Institute would turn
into a National Accident Research Institute and hopefully an Institute of Excellence
for the advancement in safety research and technology.
• In order to achieve the above, there shall be two divisions in the Institute headed by
two respective Associate Directors: (i) Research and Investigation, and (ii) Education
and Training.
Functions of Research and Investigation Division
The Research and Investigation Division will have the following functions:
• Collection and compilation of accident and injury data from various sources
• Conduct field and on-site investigation of accidents and hazardous sites
• Conduct roadside household and questionnaire surveys relating to road users,
vehicles and road environment hazards
• Develop and update accident databases and its surveillance system
• Carryout detailed analysis on accidents and injuries.
• Establish collaborative linkage for course development, trainings, capacity
building, conducting research projects, promotional campaigns and exchange of
faculties with different institutes at home and abroad.
• Initiate and formulate necessary intervention/countermeasure programs for safety
improvements.
• Carryout other safety related research and investigation programs as required by
the Institute.
Functions of the Education and Training Division
The Education and Training Division will have the following functions:
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• Develop appropriate courses and training modules for the development of qualified
human resources.
• Conduct safety related courses/training programs at various levels.
• Promote and arrange safety related promotional campaigns.
• Prepare appropriate training and promotional materials in the form of booklets,
monograms, modules, brochures, posters and newsletters.
• Publish Research Bulletins, Newsletters, Journals and Proceedings at local and
international levels.
• Library documentation and procurement of safety related research publications.
• Carryout other safety related academic and training programs as required by the
Institute.
Activities and Achievements of ARI
Accident Research Institute is multi-disciplinary research institute specializing in the study of
transport safety and accident prevention. ARI bears the responsibility to conduct in-depth
research on transportation safety problem in Bangladesh and develop countermeasures to
assist the responsible government authority as well as to improve the transport safety problem
in Bangladesh. Being congruent with the role of BUET as premier institution of technical
education and research in the country, the Research and investigation division of ARI is
devoted to incorporate state of the art of technology and knowledge regarding transport safety
engineering in the development of transport infrastructure, enhancement of education on
transport safety and provision of research facilities.
ARI’s Road Safety Research and Investigations
ARI has conducted road safety research and investigation, which are useful in documenting
the accident problem characteristics and would provide the means to develop and evaluate
effective countermeasures. Some major areas of ARI’s research and investigation include:
Road Safety
• Accident Data Collection, Database Development and Updating
• Key road safety facts and characteristics
• Identification and Treatment of Hazardous Road Locations and Accident Black Spot
Identification Program
• Investigation of Major Fatal Road Accidents and Accidents during Festival Periods
• Metropolitan street accident characteristics and safety improvements
• Road and Road side Hazards including Traffic Offences
• Involvement of Pedestrians and Children in Road Accidents
• Involvement of Drivers and their Characteristics in Road Accidents
• Heavy Vehicle Involvement in Road Accidents
• Effects of Vehicular Defects on Road Traffic Accidents
• Profiles (physio-psychological and personal) of Heavy Vehicle Drivers and Their
Behavioural Habits and Attitudes
• Investigation of the Incidence of Over-Speeding in Relation to Roadway Safety
• Road Safety Education Materials for Children
• Understanding of Road Accident Problems and Their Remedies
• Accident Spot Investigation and Road Accidents Investigation Procedures
• Development and Application of Countermeasures
• Road Safety Targets, Monitoring and Evaluation
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• Introduction and Application of Road Safety Audits
• Road safety hazards associated with bridges and culverts
• Emergency care and rescue of accident victims using GIS technology
• Estimates and analysis of costs(social and monetary) of accidents
• Community Road Safety Program
• Safety of Vulnerable Road Users (VRU)
• Post Injury/ Road Trauma Management
• Traffic Laws and Enforcement
• Road Safety Awareness and Publicity Campaign
• Route/site specific detailed analysis: Dhaka-Aricha highway corridor and the Jamuna
multipurpose bridge and its approaches
On-Going Researches:
• Level of under reporting of road traffic accidents in bangladesh
• Study on children safety
• Study on vehicle factor in road safety
• Study on problems of vehicle modification in road traffic accident
• Study on company based mass transit operation and safety
• Study on mobility and access facilities of handicapped people
• Well-being and health of dhaka city: The experiences of disable people and their
households
• Heavy vehicle drivers involvement in accident: An anthropological investigation
• Assembling vehicle manufacturing companies in Bangladesh: Present situation and
future challenges
• Performance evaluation of safety improvement measures in different highways
• Health problem of drivers
Water Transport Safety
• Accident Data Collection and Database Development
• Analysis of Inland Water Transport Accidents and Identification of Remedial
Measures
• Statistical and GIS Based Accident Analysis
• Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Accidents: Case Study
• Development of a Collision Dynamics Model
• Fire safety of oil tankers and passenger vessels
Railway Safety
• Railway accident data collection
• Study of accidents at railway level crossings
Water Transport Accidents: The Role of ARI
Water transportation is the most efficient and relatively cheaper means of transport as Inland
Water Transport (IWT) has always been a natural, widespread and well connected network
with rest of the transport system. Moreover, it is the only mode of transport in many remote
areas because of most areas of Bangladesh remains under water for two to five months a year
due to the vulnerability of flooding. With rapid increase of population and the growing
economy of the country, waterways are getting congested despite the fact that inland
waterways are not expanded. Therefore, maritime safety related problems are emerging with
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new dimensions everyday. Maritime safety has become a severe issue when a good number
of passenger vessels capsized in quick succession and the death toll reached to thousands
within the past few years. In response such disasters, the Accident Research Institute (ARI)
took initiatives to study and comprehensive research on the underlying facts regarding water
transport safety. The primary objective of this research is to find out the root causes of
accidents and develop scientific, effective as well as realistic preventives in order to minimize
these fatal losses in tolerable limit. Prior to this research work, ARI has developed and
maintained a maritime accident database system using various sources such as Daily
newspaper, reports of Department of Shipping (DOS) and Bangladesh Inland Water
Transport Authority (BIWTA) to understand the characteristics and magnitude of this adverse
problem. The inventiveness of such database system is perhaps the very first of its kind at the
institutional level in the field of maritime of Bangladesh.
Road Safety Training and Awareness Programs:
Accident Research Institute has organized a series of events to provide a platform to share
and transfer of knowledge and experiences in road safety developments and good practices
among them training for professionals, road safety practitioners, students, cadets and scouts;
training for heavy vehicle drivers in different district level; organization of international
conference on road safety, national and regional workshops, seminars, policy discussion
meetings and rallies and established a co-operative linkage network with various
departments, institutions and organizations of Bangladesh in promoting road safety which has
creates a significant impact on policy maker, professional and academician both in local and
international level.
Accident Database Development at ARI
Availability of reliable data concerning accident and other related factors are central to
systematic scientifically based analysis of road accident situation and development of rational
countermeasures. Keeping this in mind the following data bases are created and preserved at
the Accident Research Institute (ARI):
• MAAP (Police Reported Database)
• FIR Based Data Base from Thana
• Newspaper (Major Fatal, Festival)
• Hospital (ARI is collecting Hospital Data by it’s own initiatives which require further
official support for strengthening)
• Insurance Based Accident Database
• Data from Special Organizations/Authority like Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge
Authority (JMBA)
• Field Investigation (Accident Scene Investigation) Database
• Hazardous Road Location Investigation Database
• Database based on Questionnaire survey
• Maritime Accident Database
ARC’s Publications:
Major Publications of the Accident Research Centre include the following:
• Driving Instructor Training Manual
• Proceedings of the International Conference on Road Safety in Developing Countries
• Key Road Safety Facts
• Drivers Booklet (in Bengali)
• Road Safety Messages
• Brochure on Accident Research Centre
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Picture 2: Investigation of Accident Invloved
Vehicle by ARI Team
• Brochure over Pedestrian Safety
• ARC News Letter
• The Dhaka Declaration on Road Safety
• Recommendations for Safety Improvements in Bangladesh
SOME RECENT INITIATIVES
Accident Reconstruction
A team of ARI frequently visits accident locations to conduct in-depth investigation which
includes site-investigation, witness interview, victims’ opinion review, vehicle inspection,
road assessment & consultation with local
professionals to collect detail information
and data on a particular accident. After
synthesis and analysis of different facts the
team reconstruct the accidents to understand
the pre and post scenario of the incidences.
The core reasons behind the accidents are
identified and countermeasures are figured
out to reduce the reoccurrence of such
events. Finally a written report is prepared
for the concerned authorities to take proper
and effective measures. Recently, ARI has
conducted three such investigations on three
headline creating accidents occurred in
Korpie, Comilla; Azimpur, Dhaka; Paturia,
Manikgonj and findings has been circulated
through seminars and report submission to
the concerned authorities.
Driving Instructor’s Training Program
To develop trained and safe drivers through skilled and knowledgeable driving instructor,
ARI has initiated a series of training program titled “Driving Instructor’s Training Program"
throughout the country. The main objective of this training program is to develop
internationally competent driving instructor. ARI has already completed a seven day long
training program from 09-15 May 2010 in this regard. The program was divided into three
major sessions viz. i) Inauguration session, ii) Training session and iii) Concluding session.
The purpose of the inauguration and concluding sessions were to highlight the necessity of
the training program to the Government and administrative authorities so that necessary
follow up training programs can be arranged incorporating leaders, practitioners and
stakeholders. The effectiveness of the program as well as the performance of the trainees had
been evaluated through a comprehensive before after oral and written examinations.
Following figure illustrates the pre and post evaluation performance of the trainees.
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Figure 6: Pre and Post Evaluation Performance of Driving Instructor
Picture 3: Inaugural ceremony of Driving Instructor’s Training Program and Cover
Page of Instructor Driving Manual
Preparation of Instructor Driving Manual
ARI has prepared a comprehensive bengali driving instructor manual. The 365 pages manual
comprises 30 chapters on 10 different themes. To show the real condition and to ease the
understanding of
the relevant
topics,
significant
number of real
pictures and
visual
illustrations are
incorporated.
This book can be
used for the
driving instructor
as well as for
concerned
professionals,
transport owners
and drivers.
Police Training on Accident Event Recording and Reporting
Accident data is the primary need for accident research. If data is insufficient or incorrect the
research results will lead in the wrong direction. Bangladesh Police is the only primary
source of accident related data. Police officers fill up the accident Report Forms (ARF) and
based on those data provided in the ARFs, ARI conducts research works to identify the root
cause of accidents.
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In recent years, the quality of report forms has deteriorated extremely because lack of proper
training of the concerned police officers. Indeed, the lack of continued training and
monitoring, the level of under reporting as well as the quality of the reported data also has
been deteriorated. It is to be noted that road safety practitioners in Bangladesh, including
BRTA and Police know that road traffic accident database is neither complete nor accurate.
Since the end of the technical support by DFID to BRTA in early 2005, BRTA did not have
the zeal to continue with the training of police on collection and entry of road traffic accident
statistics.
Realizing the situation, ARI has taken an initiative to organize series of training programs for
sub-inspectors of police of different thanas. Already, the institute has trained more than 800
sub-inspectors of DMP and Dhaka range in two modules.
STRATEGIC VISION OF ARI
The Institute is Committed to Safer Transportation. In the light of achieving this goal, ARI is
conducting various researches and training activities which include accident research and
investigation, safety training and development of countermeasures and collaborative linkages.
Through the wider expansion of research works, eventually the centre would turn into a
National Accident Research Institute and hopefully a Centre of Excellence for the
advancement in safety research and technology.
The following future activities of Accident Research Institute (ARI) are particularly
envisaged:
• Offer Certificate courses, Diplomas, Masters and Ph.D degrees in different areas of
Transport Safety, Technology, Injury Prevention & Control and other relevant areas
of research.
• Preparation of Home Grown Road Safety Manual
• Develop training courses for different target groups of professionals for developing
the institutional capacity of different organisations of Bangladesh
• To conduct advanced research on technological, behavioural and educational safety
improvement opportunities and their cost effectiveness and support the policy makers
through providing recommendations.
• Disseminate and share the knowledge and translate them into safety policies and
practices.
Picture 4: Inaugural Ceremony of Police Training on Accident Event Recording and
Reporting
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• Conduct regular meeting and exchange forums in the form of conferences,
workshops, seminars of policy implications in collaboration with local, regional, and
international agencies.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Road safety is not only a multi-dimensional but also a multi-disciplinary problem. In
order to combat the problem there is a need for close coordination and close collaboration
between all public agencies as well as private agencies using a holistic and integrated
approach across many sectors and many disciplines. Importantly, initiatives to improve the
conditions would require renewed governmental commitment and considerable resources
particularly trained local personnel, safety specialists and researchers to build up indigenous
capacity and attain sustainability of effective road safety programs. Appropriate resources
need to be allocated to improve safety which is currently far below than the magnitude of
problems.
An improved understanding of the occurrence of road traffic accidents is a necessary
prerequisite to the development and application of cost effective solutions to the accident and
injury problem. Road safety research provides such understanding and knowledge of the
problem characteristics solutions options. ARI is expected to play major role in this regard to
develop pragmatic, cost-effective scientific solutions and bring about significant
improvements in the capability of the professionals and workers in the field of transportation
to a meaningful level of expertise for accident prevention and injury control and thereby
contribute to the safer road environment for all users and operators. Efforts are underway for
integrating different organizations both at public and private sectors, civil societies,
communities and individuals towards identifying their specific roles and responsibilities and
thereby developing effective measures to tackle road safety problems. ARI is also exploring
avenues for exchanging knowledge and technologies through collaboration with an extensive
number of renowned overseas institutions, organizations and universities etc. at local,
regional and international levels.