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CARRS |
RTE became the first Non Governmental Organisation in India to develop an analysis and research centre under its wings which is known as CARRS - Centre for Analysis & Research in Road Safety.
 CARRS, which was set up in September 1996 is dedicated to enhancing road safety in India by involving itself in survey, planning & design of transportation facilities and proposing application of various traffic engineering and management measures. This is supported by education and enforcement to make it fully result-oriented.
In this endeavor, CARRS has created under its aegis, three different cells working towards making the mission of CARRS a success. These cells are:
 AIRS (Audit in Road Safety)
TEC (Traffic Engineering Cell)
CIRC (Collision Investigation & Research Cell)
These cells work in different designated areas to contribute to the holistic objective of CARRS.
AIRS (Audit in Road Safety)
Road safety audit is a critical on-site assessment of the shortcomings in the various elements of the road and traffic control system that lead to unsafe conditions. Based upon this assessment, suitable measures are suggested to facilitate safe, smooth, comfortable and efficient movement of traffic. CARRS has developed detailed checklists of road elements for carrying out road safety audit. CARRS carries out road safety audits of road stretches and intersections in different cities around India.
TEC (Traffic Engineering Cell)
The roads and highways are planned and constructed to cater to the needs of vehicular traffic. In the recent past, the spectacular growth in vehicular traffic owing to rapid economic developments in the country has brought about serious problems of traffic congestion and accidents on Indian roads. It has been proved that the practical solution lies in improving the operational efficiency of the facilities to ensure safe, smooth and comfortable movement of persons and goods from one place to another.
 The principal aim of TEC set up under CARRS, is to provide a valuable tool to understand traffic problems and evolve suitable measures to overcome prevailing deficiencies.
The main activities of the Traffic Engineering Cell include:
1. Conducting Traffic Surveys
2. Processing & Analysis of Traffic Survey Data
3. Preparation of Traffic Management Schemes
To date, CARRS has prepared about 250 road safety audit plans for road stretches and intersections in various parts of India. In addition traffic management schemes for a range of areas like commercial areas, hospitals, schools etc. have been prepared by CARRS. Traffic surveys to assess the extent and nature of usage of various transportation facilities are carried out regularly.
CIRC (Collision Investigation & Research Cell)
Out of the estimated 1.4 million serious road accidents/collisions occurring annually in India, hardly 0.4 million are recorded. Further, only a minimal percentage of these collisions are scientifically investigated, in the absence of which, the real causes and consequences are never known. Therefore remedial measures as well as punishment for the violators are also arbitrary.
On account of various political and socio-economic conditions, generally, the larger vehicles are often labeled the culprit in cases of vehicle-to-vehicle crashes. Where there is a pedestrian or a cyclist involved, generally the motor vehicle is blamed. The law and order police, who do not have adequate knowledge of dynamics of motion, vehicle design, basic motor vehicle laws, right of way etc, investigate the collisions. Punishments therefore become hypothetical.
Road safety can only be improved when we understand the causes and consequences of road accidents/collisions so as to work out remedial measures.
IRTE has taken the initiative to set up the first Collision Investigation & Research Cell (CIRC) at Delhi under the umbrella of World Road Safety Network (WRSN). Our main partners in this Centre are Dr.Steffan Datatechnik, Austria and VIA, the Netherlands.
The primary objective of AIRC is to scientifically research the causes and consequences of road collisions as well as prepare effective systems for these analyses in order to provide remedial measures.
Software Used
 Collision Recording :
(VIA-GIS is a program to setup structural collision registration, linked to an collision analysis which works in a GIS environment. The software has three parts, i.e. registration, management and analysis)
Collision Reconstruction :
PC Crash program is a powerful calculation tool supporting the experts in reconstruction of traffic collisions, which helps in simulating motions and collisions of vehicles and biomechanical objects. Time-distance analysis of an event, occupant movement is also the important feature of this software.)
AIRC Services
 To promote this science to Police Training Schools, Colleges and Academies and to train Police Personnel into becoming Collision Investigators.
Offer Courses in the area of Collisions investigation and reconstruction.
Support the civic and road maintenance agencies in road safety audit based upon the assessment of causes of road collisions
To offer our services for scientific and criminal collision investigation and reconstruction and provide information to clients in court cases, projects, etc.
The AIRC has already conducted landmark cases in collision investigation and reconstruction across India. With these case studies courses for police personnel in different states including Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi as well as at the National Police Academy at Hyderabad have been conducted. |
