Transaid’s work showcased at International Road Federation World Congress in Istanbul
Transaid’s life-saving projects around motorcycle helmet safety and professional driver training formed key discussion points at the International Road Federation (IRF) World Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, last week.
Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid, was invited by the IRF to moderate a technical session on safety for vulnerable road users, supported by a panel of six speakers from academia, non-for-profit organisations and development agencies. She also took part in sessions on building capacity and awareness in the road sector, showcasing how Transaid is working to increase safety and employability for HGV & PSV drivers by improving access to quality driver training. Also covered was the pivoting role of transformative transport policies, presenting Transaid’s work to support increased investment in helmet safety to save lives.
Barber says: “This was one of the biggest international platforms we’ve ever had to highlight the projects we’re currently involved with across sub-Saharan Africa.
“There were more than 2,000 delegates from 130 countries in Istanbul for the Congress, and the interest in our work was incredible. We’ve been able to talk about our work with research institutions, technology providers, financial institutions, the private sector, NGOs and governmental entities from around the world.”
Earlier this year, Transaid secured funding from global road safety philanthropy, the FIA Foundation, to lead the third phase of its National Helmet Wearing Coalition in Kenya. This extends a project launched in 2021 to improve safety for the country’s 2.4 million motorcycles and their riders, the majority of which are used as taxis.
Transaid is also continuing its mission to deliver quality professional driver training, with projects currently active in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The focus of this work is on ensuring long-term sustainability by working with local partners and using Transaid’s proven ‘train the trainer’ methodology, with the backing of the UK transport and logistics sector.
The IRF World Congress has been held every four years since 1948, with the aim of promoting the development of roads and road networks, as well as sustainable mobility. This year’s event covered topics including sustainable roads and transport development, inclusive and accessible mobility, urban and rural roads and mobility, climate change mitigation and adaptation, safe roads and mobility, and more. Transaid also exhibited at the Congress.
