Road Safety Assessment and iRAP Star Ratings for High-risk Schools in Bangkok

Abstract

Each year, up to 186,300 children lose their lives from road traffic accidents around the world. Thailand has been among the top countries with highest death rate in road traffic accidents, according to WHO global status report in 2018. Each year more than 2,600 Thai children die on the roads. Moreover, 72,000 young people were injured from road accidents. Children are particularly vulnerable road users, and the safety of children walking along and across roads is the major concern. In this study, we utilized the concept of Star Rating for Schools methodology from iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme). A total of four schools in Bangkok metropolitan region with high risks were selected as case studies, namely, Wat Donmuang School, Wat Sing School, Assumption College (Primary Section), and Wat Sutthiwararam School. Roads accident data in school’s area was collected from secondary sources. Field data collection was conducted at main and access roads nearby selected schools. Results indicate that such a methodology can be applied to Thai schools. In addition, it was found that certain sections of access roads to the schools in the present study still fall into 1 or 2-star roads, while the minimum acceptable criterion according to the World Health Organization (WHO) road safety targets is 3-stars or better. This prompts local road authorities to upgrade such road sections to a higher standard. Proven road safety improvements were also suggested.