IIT Madras Collaborates with Odisha Govt to Pioneer Data-Driven Road Safety Solutions

IIT Madras and the Odisha Government have partnered to enhance road safety using a data-driven and empathy-based approach, aiming to reduce road fatalities. Check details here

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras’ RBG Labs has partnered with the Government of Odisha to enhance road safety through a data-driven and empathy-centered approach. This collaboration aims to reduce road fatalities by implementing evidence-based interventions under RBG Labs’ innovative ‘5E Model and Transportation Safety Framework’ (TSF). The framework integrates Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Care, and Empathy placing human factors at its core to deliver impactful and sustainable road safety solutions across the state.

A MoU towards this collaboration was signed between IIT Madras RBG Labs and the Commerce and Transport Department under the visionary leadership of Commerce and Transport and Steel and Mines Minister, Bhibhuti Bhusan Jena. Commending this IIT Madras initiative, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Steel and Mines, Commerce and Transport Minister, Government of Odisha, said, “This partnership with IIT Madras is a key step towards our vision of Viksit Odisha where safety and innovation co-exist for benefit of every citizen. These initiatives under MoU will focus on leveraging real-time data and modern technology along with engaging communication tools to create long-term solutions to effectively address issues relating to Road Safety.”

Speaking about this programme, Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Transport and Commerce, Government of Odisha, said, “Our collaboration with IIT Madras marks an important step in leveraging technology and research to enhance road safety standards in Odisha. Through this initiative, we seek to build capacity among our officers and ensure that road safety becomes a top priority across departments and at all levels.”

Explaining the need for the programme, Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner, Government of Odisha, said, “By employing scientific methods such as Scientific Crash Investigation using Root Cause Analysis Matrix or Human factors-based Road Safety Audits. These programs will empower our officers with advanced skills for formulating hypothesis for better investigations and audits. This structured approach will enable us to implement evidence-based safety measures, ultimately helping us save lives and make our roads safer for everyone. In addition, IIT Madras is also helping us in strategizing for public awareness campaign to create a discourse on road safety and to sensitize road users through targeted campaigns.”

As part of a Strategic IEC campaign, RBG Labs will train Odisha Police Investigating Officers in scientific crash investigation using its ‘Root Cause Analysis Matrix’ (RCAM) method. The lab has also conducted a human factors-based road safety audit, analyzing over 1,000 km of National Highways in collaboration with NHAI.

The program aims to:

• Build capacity among road safety stakeholders to utilize tools for targeted, data-driven interventions.
• Apply design thinking to address human factors contributing to road crashes and implement focused solutions.
• Launch a comprehensive IEC initiative to foster a culture of road safety and raise awareness among road users of all age groups.

Speaking about this initiative, Prof. V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Disaster Management is something very high in the agenda for our Country. Road safety is an urgent and critical challenge that directly impacts the well-being of our citizens and the socio-economic development of the country. At IIT Madras, we have been relentlessly working on innovative, technology-driven solutions to address the complexities of road safety. Successful implementation of these schemes have happened in many states, including the State of Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Rajasthan. IIT Madras is committed to this vision and looks forward to working with Government of Odisha to turn this aspiration vision into reality.”

Elaborating on this programme, Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Head, RBG Labs and CoERS, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, who is coordinating this initiative, said, “Roads are a shared asset which requires a multi-disciplinary approach for planning interventions. RBG Labs is eager to collaborate with the stakeholders in Odisha in their journey to safe roads. The capacity building programs will equip various stakeholders in the State with the practical skills required for on-field data collection, collation, and analysis to communicate their hypothesis effectively and strategize actionable interventions.”

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