TRANSPORT SAFETY & SECURITY
Antwerp/Flanders
LIFE LESSONS
Municipalities have great responsibility when it comes to improving road safety. Kirsten De Mulder, Ine Herten and Werner De Dobbeleer investigate how participating in a coaching programme allows local authorities to gain insight into the steps they can take to further develop their road safety policy in the short and longer term
Aerial view of the City of Antwerp, ©Thomas Konings
Together with local police, municipalities have an important responsibility to improve road safety within their territory. Since 2018, the VSV (Flemish Foundation for Traffic Knowledge) together with the Belgian Federation of Road Traffic Victims (OVK-SAVE) and the province of Antwerp, have been assisting local authorities in drawing up road safety action plans.
Their coaching programme is the second step in a longer pathway starting with the signature of a “SAVE charter” and leading to the obtention of a “SAVE” label (awarded by OVK-SAVE) and a “Traffic safe municipality” label (awarded by the province of Antwerp). A total of 42 Antwerp municipalities have already participated in the programme between 2018 and 2021.
Overview of participating municipalities between 2018 and 2021, ©TRIDÉE
The way it works
The coaching programme is an intensive process in which local authorities learn to set up a high-quality road safety policy. Together with fellow municipalities (“peers”), the participants find out what a high-quality road safety policy involves, and they receive tailor-made advice on how to improve road safety in their territory. Throughout the coaching, they make a thorough analysis of their current road safety policy. The participants gain insight into current bottlenecks and learn how they can further develop their policy in the short and longer term and how they can achieve better results by aligning various measures. The coaching programme starts with a self-evaluation, followed by setting objectives and drawing up a concrete plan of action. The tools that support the programme are useful not only for the participants but also for the coach and the partners. The initiative allows local authorities to learn from others and in turn give valuable input themselves. This ensures that the participants can take concrete steps, based on the experiences of similar municipalities (peers). The findings from the coaching programme are also of interest for VSV, OVK-SAVE and the province of Antwerp, as they can provide input for further action at a higher policy level.
The coaching programme is an intensive process in which local authorities learn to set up a high-quality road safety policy
Road crossing, © Pixabay
Developing a Methodology
For this assignment, VSV called on a consulting agency, TRIDÉE. A methodology was developed, together with tools that support the participants during the programme. Candidates have to apply for participation and are selected according to criteria such as the number of crashes at local level. The number of participants per year is limited, but candidates that are not selected in a first round are still eligible for coaching in a next edition. The province of Antwerp has the ambition to have zero road victims in the entire territory.
A street in Antwerp, ©Emmanuel Tchatchwa
Local authority representatives asked to cooperate in the self-evaluation and the consecutive coaching moments include the Mayor, the Councillor and local civil service officer(s) responsible for mobility, and the Chief Traffic Officer of the local police. At the request of the municipality, other relevant actors can be involved, such as representatives from schools, the cyclists' federation, and parents and seniors’ associations.
Self-evaluation as a first step
Various tools are used to support the coaching process. The self-evaluation checklist gives the municipality, the local police and the coach a general overview of all the ingredients for a high-quality local road safety policy. After completion, it provides insight into the current policy status at local level.
Example of the self-evaluation checklist after completion, ©VSV
The self-evaluation checklist gives the municipality, the local police and the coach a general overview of all the ingredients for a high-quality local road safety policy
Developing a plan of action
This is capacity building at its best, establishing the practical tools, resources, and know-how to translate ideas into practice. Such collaboration models are at the top of the agenda of POLIS’ work in Road safety.
The plan of action template builds on the self-evaluation. For each topic treated in the self-evaluation, it allows to formulate an action, indicating the responsible person(s) and the timing. The tools are accessible online on a central platform with a protected area for each municipality and local police force. The platform provides additional information on road safety in general and practical “how to” tips on specific topics that local authorities (often small municipalities) struggle with.
Example of the plan of action template, © VSV
The platform provides additional information on road safety in general and practical “how to” tips on specific topics that local authorities often struggle with.
Coaching in a municipality in 2018, ©VSV
Next steps
Every coaching process is evaluated and adjusted if necessary. Bottlenecks are discussed and, if needed, also linked back to the higher government. In the autumn of 2021, the VSV will offer a new coaching program with a focus on improving road safety policy in built-up areas. In addition, it is the ambition to enter into partnerships with other provinces to offer this coaching..
Ine Herten and Werner De Dobbeleer are, respectively, Project Manager and Press Officer at the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Knowledge (VSV). Kristen de Mulder was previously Team Manager Contact them: ine.herten@vsv.be and werner.dedobbeleer@vsv.be
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