Lessons from Road Safety Research and Policy Engagement in Pakistan, Nepal, Tanzania

Abstract

DFID invests in research on transport infrastructure to promote knowledge on cross-cutting issues, such as road safety, and to influence standards and practices across the sector. This rapid desk based study provides lessons from DFID funded road safety research and policy engagement in Pakistan, Nepal and Tanzania. To this end, this report considers recent projects/studies published post-2005 only. DFID also has a number of initiatives linked to developing the capacity building of national governments to make greater use of research findings in road safety. For example, the Global Road Safety Facility has developed new standards and approaches to road safety issues, influencing both the World Bank (which in 2015 made road safety a mandatory component of all road projects) and partner country governments. Furthermore, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has reported positive impacts on road safety standards and practices through DFID investments in road safety projects. The Research for Community Access Partnership (RECAP) is developing low-cost solutions for rural roads, and we found evidence of uptake of new road standards by national governments. Broadly the reports examined showed that all DFID funded projects have been generally successful in improving road safety, while providing recommendations and identifying associated challenges in Pakistan, Nepal and Tanzania.