IOC CEO Dr Tracey Worth was at the January New Year London Road Safety Council meeting. Alderman Alison Gowman opened the January London Road Safety Council meeting with the joys of Happy New Year to everyone before moving swiftly on to the presentation by Cam Hussain on AI Road Safety System.
Cam suggested four primary challenges that a council faces regarding accidents:
Collisions are a rare event (statistically) which could mean that not all collisions are recorded. Councils typically take a reactive action on road safety. New or blind spot locations are unknown and risk benchmarking is inhibited by incomplete information. Physical context is the main cause for collisions and even if you may not agree with this statement, loss of concentration creates a greater impact of collision due to physical road context.
The President questioned this (as a psychologist) suggesting human behaviour is the main cause of accidents, so how does this system utilise these data and behaviour patterns? 'Lead indicators' is the term that would better describe the cause and how does this system understand a young speeding driver? Accidents happen in all weathers. ‘I think we need to focus on personal behaviour of our drivers.’ A lively discussion challenged the benefit of using a system like this and suggested that this was a tool to support, but may not lead the focus of road safety planning. A cost-free pilot program for all boroughs.
Running through the agenda with a hybrid meeting of 50/50 in-person/online saw cost raised as an issue with the Road Safety Council requiring support - sponsors to commit to holding the annual conference this year. The five themes challenge by the President were discussed as to how these actions can now be taken forward considering especially vulnerable road users, higher levels of accidents spots and improve road safety under financial restraints. TfL have a linked dashboard to represent these areas to assist local authorities prioritise funding especially for vulnerable road users. The 20mph zones should be policed more strongly, but this has brought some conflict for the police resources, but councillors should support stronger policing.
Good news! TfL has been recognised for Vision, Fleet, and bus safety standard awards. They have completed 215 kms out of 220 kilometres for 20 mph speed limit. Safety junction programs and 1153 buses fitted with vehicle alert sound system and the Travel for life program launches next week launched online for all London boroughs. A TfL report to be completed and sent over to the council.
Discussion of mandating training, guidance from TfL for couriers was discussed to look to secure a goal of what can be achieved. This is the food and grocery charter, which is slow progress but progress, time pressures are one of the issues, however big companies are making big changes to their modelling. TfL cannot mandate training for couriers as they may not be employers. More analysis as to why in certain areas there are more collisions or accidents taking place, and who are the collision partners could bring a greater understanding of the exposure to risk analysis.
The meeting continued with discussion of whom within boroughs may benefit the most from the council and could commit to make a membership payment to reenergise the London Road Safety Council and we, as a council, looks to deliver on the Presidents themes. An dynamic but supportive mix of boroughs and road safety authorities participated in full open discussion that is about supporting the improvement of road safety for all throughout London.
