Intelligent transport systems and road safety

The past 10 years have been a process of imposing road safety on a system that had previously regarded safety as a luxury. Traditionally when problem areas are identified, data is then collected and countermeasures developed to combat unsafe practices. Technology has now taken a new direction with the advent of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). In the next 10 years ITS technology will impact on all our traditional Road Safety activities such as speed management, crash information data, fatigue, heavy vehicles safety, road user behaviour etc. and will bring its own unique programs to enhance our efforts to reduce crashes and casualties. Changes to vehicles and their navigation systems will create a difference in the way transportation is used. Those responsible for road safety must understand ITS at the highest level and ensure that any changes to the transport industry build in appropriate safety, so as to avoid the catchup process of the past 10 years.