Road safety: shifting to more dynamic and sustainable action plans with TES

Road safety is influenced by a rapidly changing environment: new construction sites, new neighbourhoods, changing travel habits and increased active mobility. In this context, a road safety plan (RSP) implemented at a specific point in time may lose its relevance more quickly than expected..

To remain effective, interventions must be based on an approach that can evolve at the same pace as the road network. With this in mind, and to help authorities prioritize their actions in a proactive, flexible and sustainable way, CIMA+ offers a dynamic methodology, supported by a scalable, digital tool: TES.

The limitations of current approaches

Traditional RSPs are generally based on a one-off analysis of the road network, often using historical collision data. Although this method can identify problem areas, it has several limitations:

• Temporality of data: The indicators used are not updated over time. This limits the ability of authorities to respond quickly to new trends or emerging issues, such as riskier driver and pedestrian behaviours, or the impact of changes to the urban environment.
• Network evolution: Changes to the network, such as the addition of new infrastructure, modifications to signage or area redevelopments, are not incorporated into existing plans, which can render certain recommendations obsolete.
• Accessibility of resources: The human and material resources needed to update plans are often limited. This slows down the revision process and can lead to a gap between immediate needs and planned interventions.

As a result, plans gradually lose their relevance and interventions may become less targeted or even inadequate, thereby compromising the effectiveness of road safety efforts.

An innovative solution for proactive management

To address these shortcomings, a dynamic methodology was developed in collaboration with several municipalities, based on the principles of proactive management and intelligent use of data. Its aim is to provide road authorities with a scalable tool that is designed to adapt to changing conditions on the ground in real-time and support informed decision-making.

The foundations of this new approach

This methodology is structured around three pillars:

1. Continuous data integration: Traffic, road safety and development data are integrated into the TES platform on a regular, automated basis. This makes it possible to monitor changes in the network and adjust intervention priorities to new trends observed.
2. Advanced predictive models: Predictive algorithms make it possible to anticipate risk areas even before collisions occur. These models take into account multiple variables: traffic flow, geometric configurations, collision history, presence of vulnerable users, etc. This predictive capability makes it possible to move from a reactive to a preventive approach.
3. Automation of priority analysis: TES also automatically generates lists of priority locations based on criteria defined by local authorities. This facilitates decision-making, reduces analysis time and optimizes the allocation of available resources.

A robust design, adapted to the local context

The tool is designed to facilitate the methodology’s adoption in the field through its integration with existing practices.

• Harmonized data for reliable analysis: Data from various sources is standardized to ensure consistency in analysis and to limit bias, enabling intervention priorities to be based on solid foundations.
• A flexible approach, adapted to the local context: The tool is customizable: it allows authorities to define assessment and intervention criteria according to priority, constraints and context, to encourage their adoption.
• Secure integration and ease of use: Integration with existing systems encompasses data security, role-based access levels and an interface designed for technical teams, ensuring smooth and secure implementation.

Adaptive approaches to road network management

Beyond simply updating response plans, this approach paves the way for adaptive road network management. By continuously leveraging data and integrating advanced analytical tools, authorities can:

• respond more quickly to emerging issues
• prioritize responses based on network developments
• justify decisions to citizens and elected officials with compelling data
• optimize investments by targeting areas with high potential for improvement

This ability to adapt to changes in the network and user behaviour represents a major advancement in road safety management.

Collaboration is key

The success of this initiative relies on close collaboration between CIMA+, road safety experts and local authorities. This synergy ensures that the proposed solutions are both technically sound and operationally relevant. It also promotes the development of a safety culture based on data, transparency and continuous improvement.

A rewarding approach

Road safety is a complex issue that is constantly evolving. Traditional safety plans, while useful, need to be rethought to meet contemporary challenges. By combining rigorous methodology with a powerful digital tool like TES, it is now possible to envision dynamic, sustainable safety plans that are adapted to local contexts.

This approach does not aim to replace existing practices, but to enrich them by offering transportation professionals pragmatic means to improve safety, proactively.

To better understand how this approach can be applied to your network and see TES in action, you can request a demonstration below.