News Article
Date posted: 17/02/2009
Conference in South Africa
This Seminar is part of the PIARC Programme of International Seminars. The overall objective of the Programme is to ensure that the road and road transport related needs of all PIARC member countries are widely recognized so that outstanding issues and problems can be addressed and tackled. Progress may be achieved through the exchange of experiences, the transfer of technology, the work programmes of technical committees and the identification of research to fill the remaining gaps in knowledge. The Programme is designed to study a wide range of road related issues and problems of particular concern to developing and emerging nations.
PIARC Technical Committee’s C2.1 Safer Road Infrastructure and C2.2 Safer Road Operations, extends a sincere invitation to you to participate in an upcoming International Seminar, Promoting Road Safety for Vulnerable Road Users.
Background
Although all types of road users are at risk of being injured or killed in a road traffic crash, there are notable differences in fatality rates between different road user groups. In particular, vulnerable road users such as non-motorized traffic and two-wheeler users are at greater risk than vehicle occupants, and usually bear the greatest burden of injury.
This is especially true in developing and emerging countries, because of the greater variety and intensity of traffic mix and the lack of separation from other road users. Of particular concern is the mix between the slow-moving and vulnerable non-motorized road users, as well as motorcycles, and that of fast-moving, motorized vehicles.
Objective of this International Seminar
The type of traffic, the mix of different types of road users, and the type of crashes in developing and emerging countries differ significantly from those in more developed countries. The traffic patterns of developing and emerging countries have generally not been experienced by more developed countries in the past, and technologies and policies can therefore not be automatically transferred from more developed countries without appropriate adaptation and due consideration for local conditions.
The primary objectives of this International Seminar, therefore, entail the following:
· Identifying and understanding the issues of vulnerable road users in developing and emerging countries;
· Sharing best local, regional and international practices and/or experiences in successfully combating vulnerable road user deaths and injuries; and
· Highlighting solutions to reduce the perpetuation of high vulnerable road user death and injury rates.
Seminar Venue
The International Seminar will be held at the scenically and centrally located Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Methodology
The methodology for the International Seminar will comprise (i) plenary sessions with presentations by leading experts, (ii) theme-specific breakaway sessions/workshops lead by expert facilitators, (iii) a plenary expert panel discussion, and (iv) conclusions and a resolution.
The plenary sessions will comprise presentations from experts of PIARC Technical Committee’s C2.1 and C2.2, as well as local, regional and international leading experts.
Languages
The official language of the seminar will be English, with simultaneous translation into French.
Preliminary Programme
A preliminary programme is indicated below, with speaker and presentation details to be specified in the Second Announcement.
Day 1: 25 October 2009
Registration and Technical Field Visit
Day 2: 26 October 2009
07:30 – 08:30 Registration
08:30 – 10:30 Welcome
Keynote Address,
Defining VRU and Objectives of the Seminar
10:30 – 11:00 Tea / Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00 Session 1: Plenary
VRU Policy and Planning Issues
VRU Infrastructure and Engineering Issues
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch Break (Poster Session)
14:30 – 16:30 Session 2: Plenary
VRU Education and Awareness Issues
VRU Legislation and Traffic Law Enforcement Issues
Day 3: 27 October 2009
08:30 – 10:30 Session 3: Plenary
Summary and Synthesis of Day 2 Discussions
Breakaway Session / Workshop Facilitator Introduction Presentations (X4)
10:30 – 11:00 Tea / Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00 Session 4: Parallel Workshops
Session 4A – VRU Policy and Planning Issues
Session 4B – VRU Infrastructure and Engineering Issues
Session 4C – VRU Education and Awareness Issues
Session 4D – VRU Legislation and Traffic Law Enforcement Issues
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch Break (Poster Session)
14:30 – 16:30 Session 5: Feedback from Workshop’s 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D
Panel Discussion
Conclusion / Resolution
16:30 – 16:45 Final Announcements, vote of thanks and acknowledgements
Technical Visit
A technical visit to one of
Who should and will be attending?
The seminar topic and solutions involves a wide variety of stakeholders and more than 300 delegates from the following sectors are expected to attend:
- Members of PIARC Technical Committee’s C.1 Safer Road Infrastructure, and C.2 Safer Road Operations
- Members of the Association of Southern African National Road Agencies (ASANRA)
- Public-sector decision makers
- Community Leaders
- Government Officials from Departments with vested interests in Road Safety, such as Transport, Roads, Public Works, Public / Community Safety and Education
- Road Safety Policy Makers
- Traffic and Safety Engineers and Planners
- Road Safety Managers
- Road Safety Auditors
- Road Safety and Accident Prevention Officers
- Traffic Law Enforcement Officials
- Police, Health Care and Emergency Service Providers
- Health Professionals
- Educational, Training and Research Institutes
- Academics and Students
- Educators
- Community Development Specialists
- Transport and Tourism Sector Representatives
- Automotive Companies & Representatives
- Driver and Rider Trainers / Instructors
- Special Interest Groups and Associations
Registration Fees
PIARC Special Fund
The rules relating to the use of the Special Fund are available on the PIARC web site: www.piarc.org, in the Blue Guide.
Accommodation
There are a variety of 3, 4 and 5 Star Hotels / Bed & Breakfasts available within walking distance to the Cape Town International Convention Centre. More details relating to partner hotels offering special discounts will be conveyed in the Second Announcement.
Programme for Companions
The details for accompanying persons will be provided in the Second Announcement.
Pre-registration
An internet registration form will be available in March 2009.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ms Belinda Lamprecht
Global Conferences
Tel: +27 (0) 21 532 6335
Fax: +27 (0) 21 532 6331
Email: blamprecht@globalconf.co.za
Website: www.globalconf.co.za