Data measurement for Safer Streets-iRAP tools

Using iRAP Tools to Enhance Street Safety and Inform Complete Streets Design

When it comes to designing streets that are safe and accessible for all users, data-driven insights are essential. The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) offers a suite of tools that allow urban planners, engineers, and policymakers to quantify and qualify street safety, ultimately leading to more informed decisions in the creation of safer, more complete streets.

Understanding iRAP Tools

iRAP provides several key tools designed to assess and improve road safety:

Star Ratings: This tool assigns safety ratings to roads based on a 5-star scale, where 1-star roads are the least safe and 5-star roads are the safest. The Star Ratings are determined by evaluating over 50 different road attributes, such as lane width, shoulder presence, and pedestrian crossings. These ratings offer a straightforward way to visualize road safety and identify areas that need improvement.

ViDA: ViDA is iRAP’s online software platform that allows users to analyze road data, generate Star Ratings, and propose safety upgrades. ViDA helps to quantify the risk of death and serious injury on a road, providing a clear rationale for safety investments.

Risk Mapping: This tool identifies high-risk areas on a road network by mapping the locations of road crashes. Risk Mapping helps to prioritize interventions where they are needed most, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively.

Safer Roads Investment Plans (SRIPs): SRIPs are actionable plans developed using data from the other iRAP tools. These plans include specific recommendations for road safety improvements, such as adding pedestrian crossings, installing speed bumps, or widening lanes.

Integrating iRAP Tools into Complete Streets Design

Complete streets are designed to be safe, inclusive, and accessible for all users—whether they’re walking, cycling, driving, or taking public transport. iRAP tools provide critical insights that directly support this holistic approach: 

Data-Driven Decision Making: Tools like Star Ratings and ViDA help planners prioritize safety features such as protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, or speed reductions. By identifying the most critical safety needs, planners can ensure their efforts have the greatest impact.

Targeted Safety Enhancements: Risk Mapping allows for the identification of high-risk areas, guiding the placement of specific safety features like crosswalks or traffic calming measures. This ensures that safety enhancements are both strategic and effective.

Evidence-Based Investment: SRIPs provide a clear, evidence-based roadmap for investing in street safety. By implementing the recommendations from SRIPs, cities can systematically improve road safety, reducing the likelihood of crashes and fatalities.

Holistic Street Design: The iRAP tools help to create streets that are not only safe but also complete. This means designing streets that are accessible and comfortable for all users, promoting walking, cycling, and the use of public transport while reducing car dependency.

Why Use iRAP for Complete Streets?

By integrating iRAP tools into street design, cities can:

• Enhance safety and accessibility for all road users.
• Prioritize investments based on measurable data and clear safety outcomes.
• Foster active, sustainable transport options like walking and cycling.
• Transform streets into inclusive public spaces that contribute to healthier, more vibrant communities.

Leveraging the power of iRAP tools allows planners, engineers, and policymakers to create safer streets that protect lives and promote sustainable urban mobility. Complete streets informed by data are streets that work for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and motorists alike.

Suggested readings

To dive deeper into the use of iRAP tools for enhancing street safety, explore the following resources:

• iRAP Methodology
• iRAP Star Ratings Overview – Learn more about how Star Ratings are calculated and their significance.
• ViDA Software Platform – Access ViDA to analyze road safety data and create safety plans.