Thailand Accident Research Center Hosts The 3rd Thailand Road Traffic Safety Forum

Dr. Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisarn stated that road traffic accidents remain a major challenge for Thailand, affecting lives, property, and the quality of life of the population, as well as overall economic and social development. Addressing this issue cannot rely on a single measure alone; rather, it requires collaboration across all sectors—through social development, the cultivation of a road safety culture, and the development of safe transport infrastructure. The theme of this forum, "Construction of Society and Infrastructure to Reduce Traffic Accidents," reflects an approach aligned with international road safety directions, which emphasize the design of transport systems that prioritize the safety of all road users, the use of data and research to support policy decision-making, and the promotion of shared awareness and responsibility within society. In this regard, the Department of Highways places great importance on enhancing road safety standards through innovation and technology in design, construction, maintenance, as well as improvement of high-risk locations. By integrating efforts with relevant agencies, the Department of Highways has continuously improved the safety of the national transport system.

The objective of the forum was to provide a platform for agencies working in the field of road traffic accidents to exchange experiences, knowledge, research findings, and best practices in road safety. It seeks to foster inter-agency cooperation in building a safety-oriented society and developing transport infrastructure that contributes to the sustainable reduction of road traffic accidents. The forum also aimed to support the formulation of concrete guidelines and standards for reducing road traffic accidents in Thailand.

During the forum, a series of lectures and analyses on road traffic accidents were presented, including: "Japan's Initiatives and Progress toward Building a Traffic Safety Society," by Professor Akinori Morimoto from the School of Creative Science and Engineering, Waseda University; "The Role of Rural Road Transformation in Enhancing Safety for Vulnerable Road Users," by Mr. Santiparp Siriyong, Civil Engineer (Expert Level) from the Bureau of Traffic Safety, Department of Rural Roads; "Typical Road Traffic Safety Involving Infrastructure from Vehicle Manufacturer Viewpoint," by Mr. Tomoaki Takamiya from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation; and "Innovative Tools for Analyzing and Mitigating High-Crash Areas," by Professor Kunnawee Kanitpong, Director of the Thailand Accident Research Center, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).

This was followed by a panel discussion on "Engineering Interventions for Speed Reduction and Crash Severity Mitigation," aimed at showcasing the engineering measures currently implemented in Thailand to enhance road safety and exploring ways to expand and scale up these measures.The session was moderated by Mr. Anuchar Sethasathien, MD., Advisor to the Thailand Road Safety Directing Center. Distinguished panelists were Mr. Premvut Chanthanavong, Civil Engineer (Senior Professional Level) from the Bureau of Location and Design, Department of Highways; Professor Kasem Choocharusakul, Director of the Thailand Road Assessment Programme (ThaiRAP), Chulalongkorn University; Mr. Nuttapong Boontob, Board Member and Assistant Secretary of the ThaiRoads Foundation; and Mr. Tomoaki Takamiya from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.The forum concluded with a question-and-answer session on key issues of interest.

The forum marked another significant step in integrating knowledge, research, and experience from both domestic and international sources toward the formulation of appropriate guidelines and measures to enhance road safety in Thailand over the long term. Cooperation from all sectors will serve as a vital force in driving the development of safer infrastructure alongside the cultivation of a responsible road-use culture—ultimately reducing losses and sustainably improving the quality of life of the Thai people in the future.

• ข่าวo:member
• ข่าวo:gen
• ข่าวo:loc
• ข่าวen