Workshop on Strengthening Road Crash Data Management

Project Title

Workshop with Stakeholders for Strengthening Road Crash Data Management System in Bangladesh

Project Period

October 2024 to January 2025

Project Lead

Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury - Project Director

Project Partners

World Health Organization (WHO)
Road Traffic Injury (RTI) Prevention and Research Unit

Project Summary

This workshop involves key stakeholders identifying the gaps and challenges in road traffic data management by different government and non-government organizations. The main objective is to facilitate the development of a unified and effective road crash data management system in Bangladesh.

Key Achievement

Recommendations for strengthening the data management system to generate comprehensive road traffic injury data using various data sources.

Retrospective Assessment of Road Traffic Deaths and Injuries

Chattogram Medical College Hospital

Project Title

Retrospective assessment of road traffic deaths and injuries at Chattogram Medical College Hospital

Project Period

February 2024 - Ongoing

Project Lead

Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury - Principal Investigator

Project Partners

Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH)
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP)
Vital Strategies

Project Summary

Fatal and seriously injured cases of road crash injuries have been collected retrospectively from CMCH. The objective is to link this data with records from the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) for better estimation of fatalities and serious injuries caused by road traffic crashes.

Key Achievement

Estimation of road crash deaths and serious injuries in a metropolitan city and identification of shortcomings in developing a comprehensive crash database.

Assessing the Burden of Road Traffic Injuries in Bangladesh

Project Title

Assessing the burden of road traffic injuries in Bangladesh

Project Period

July – December 2023

Project Lead

Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury - Principal Investigator

Project Partners

The World Bank Group

Project Summary

The main objective of this study was to estimate the health burden (both epidemiological and economic) of road crash injuries in Bangladesh by utilizing the mixed method approach. Quantitative data was collected from randomly selected healthcare facilities at all levels while available data from the Management Information System (MIS), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), was analyzed to supplement quantitative information. In addition, purposively selected key stakeholders were interviewed.

Key Achievement

Estimation and prediction of the epidemiological and economic burden of road crash injuries in Bangladesh. The value of a statistical life has also been calculated.

Strengthening Road Safety Legislation on Behavioral Risk Factors in Bangladesh

Project Title

Strengthening road safety legislation on behavioral risk factors through evidence generation, policy advocacy, capacity building, and mobilization of public support in Bangladesh

Project Period

April 2023 to December 2025

Project Lead

Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury - Project Director

Project Partners

Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and Global Health Advocacy Incubator

Project Summary

Sensitization of the relevant government authorities and key stakeholders, including policymakers and politicians, with the aim to reduce road traffic injury-related mortality and morbidity in Bangladesh by strengthening the existing Road Transport Act 2018. All GRSP grantees, including CIPRB, are working together to improve road safety in Bangladesh by providing necessary technical support.

Key Achievement

Key achievements of the project include the impact of the combined activities of all GRSP grantees. GRSP grantees supported the relevant government authorities in setting speed limits and establishing a motorcycle helmet standard.

Roadside Observation Study (Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety)

Project Title

Roadside Observation Study (Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety)

Project Period

January 2021 to December 2025

Project Lead

Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury - Director

Project Partners

Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU)

Project Summary

A global consortium is implementing a number of activities to reduce fatal and non-fatal road traffic injuries in 15 countries worldwide, including Bangladesh, with financial support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS). Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (IIRU) is one of the consortium partners involved in monitoring and evaluation. CIPRB is the local partner of IIRU in Bangladesh. The BIGRS project is being implemented by the consortium partners and local organizations in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Chattogram City Corporation (CCC). CIPRB has been collecting data on major behavioral risk factors for road crashes periodically in both city corporations since December 2021.

Key Achievement

In DNCC, seven rounds of data were collected, while six rounds were completed in CCC. These data have been shared with relevant government authorities for future policy implications.

Strengthening Post-Crash Response for Road Traffic Injury Victims in Bangladesh

Project Title

Strengthening post-crash response for the victims of road traffic injuries in Bangladesh: strategy and costed action plan for 2023-2025

Project Period

May – December 2022

Project Lead

Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury - Project Director

Project Partners

Non-Communicable Disease Control Program (NCDC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), World Health Organization

Project Summary

With financial and technical support from the World Health Organization, CIPRB drafted a strategy and costed action plan for strengthening the post-trauma care system for road crash victims. Relevant government and non-government stakeholders were consulted (in-depth discussions and a consultative workshop) in drafting the strategy and costed action plan.

Key Achievement

Draft strategy and costed action plan forwarded to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) for endorsement.

Estimating Crash-Generated Disability from Hospital and Medical Data in Bangladesh

Project Title

Estimating Crash-Generated Disability from Hospital and Medical Data in Bangladesh

Project Summary

This study was conducted as part of a multi-country research project funded by the World Bank Group. The main objective was to assess the degree of recovery of road crash injury victims treated at the National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopedics Rehabilitation (NITOR), Dhaka. A total of 1,000 patients were recruited for the study, interviewed in the hospital, and followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after being discharged.

Key Achievement

Evidence on the long-term outcome of road crash injuries and rehabilitation systems in a lower-middle-income country context.

Road Safety Audit

Project Title

Road Safety Audit

Project Period

October 2017 to February 2018

Project Lead

Prof. Dr. AKM Fazlur Rahman - Advisor

Project Partners

Roads and Highways Department (RHD), SARM Associates Ltd., Hepta Tech. Ltd.

Project Summary

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) conducted a safety audit of five major national highways in Bangladesh. The audit aimed to identify potential safety hazards and recommend improvements to accommodate the needs of all road users. Issues such as road capacity, signage, pavement markings, guardrails, roadside obstructions, sight distance, pedestrian facilities, access management, speed control, and intersection design were evaluated.

Key Achievement

RHD enhanced road safety to reduce the number of road traffic injuries and fatalities on these highways based on the audit report.

Speed Management and Safe Crossing on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway (N2)

Project Title

Speed Management and Safe Crossing on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway (N2) in Bangladesh

Project Period

May 2014 to June 2016

Participants

Prof. Dr. AKM Fazlur Rahman - Executive Director

Project Summary

This pilot project, *Speed Management and Safe Crossing on N2 Highway in Bangladesh*, was implemented at three locations (Nilkuthi, Namapara, and Kunderpara) of the Dhaka-Sylhet (N2) highway in Bangladesh. It was innovative in both the selection of implemented interventions (a combination of effective and relatively low-cost measures) and in the approach to monitoring pre- and post-intervention data. The interventions included small-scale infrastructural measures for traffic calming, education to vulnerable road users, and active community involvement.

Key Achievement

Successful piloting of the project which reduced the number of road crashes and fatalities.

Training and Other Activities

Sharing Experiences in Global Meetings and Conferences

The Health System Research Division and RTI Prevention and Research Unit of CIPRB presented a number of scientific papers in global meetings and conferences. The main purpose of attending these conferences is to learn from global experts about recent advancements in road traffic injury prevention while sharing their experiences addressing road traffic injuries in Bangladesh with other participants. Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury was invited as a panelist for a State of Art Session on road traffic injuries-related disabilities during the World Safety Conference 2024. Other team members of the division also attended the World Safety Conference 2024 and presented their studies.

UN Global Road Safety Week Observation

Event Highlights

CIPRB observed the 5th and 7th UN Global Road Safety Week in 2019 and 2023, respectively, by conducting mass-awareness-raising discussions, rallies, leaflet distribution, and first responder training. In 2023, CIPRB jointly observed the 7th UN Global Road Safety Week with the University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS), further enhancing public engagement and promoting road safety initiatives.

Attending Global Road Safety Leadership Course (GRSLC)

Overview

Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) and the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) jointly organize a 2-week training course on road safety in Baltimore, USA, in May each year. This course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the historical development of the road safety field and introduces key theoretical approaches to addressing road crashes. Participants also gain technical knowledge on how these approaches align with the Safe System Approach to improve road safety outcomes. Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury, Dr. Kamran-ul-Baset, Dr. Al-Amin Bhuiyan, and Kazi Burhan Uddin have successfully attended the course, enhancing their expertise in the field.

Attending International Course on Transportation Planning and Safety

Course Overview

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, India, organizes a 2-week training course on Transportation Planning and Safety each year. The primary aim of this course is to deepen participants' understanding of road safety governance while enhancing their leadership skills. It also empowers participants to contribute effectively to ongoing road safety projects in their respective countries. Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury, Mr. Kazi Burhan Uddin, and Dr. Samid Siddiq participated in this prestigious course to further enhance their expertise in road safety and transportation planning.

Meeting with Road Safety Expert from Myanmar

Meeting Overview

An official meeting titled “Road Safety Management in Neighboring Countries: Possible Collaboration between Bangladesh and Myanmar” was held at CIPRB on 31 January 2016. The meeting was attended by senior government officials from Myanmar, including Prof. Thet Lwin. The Bangladeshi team was led by Professor Dr. Mazharul Haque, Dean of the Department of Civil Engineering and Founding Director of the Accident Research Institute (ARI). This meeting aimed to discuss potential collaborations between the two countries in the field of road safety management.

Participation in the Meeting on Drafting the Comprehensive Road Safety Law (CRSL)

Meeting Overview

The Road Safety Coalition (RSC), an apex body of organizations advocating for road safety policy, has been actively involved in lobbying for a comprehensive road safety law in Bangladesh. Dr. Salim Mahmud Chowdhury, as one of the key members, is deeply involved in the process of drafting the Comprehensive Road Safety Law. Dr. Chowdhury participates in all relevant meetings organized by the Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh (RSCB) and provides valuable insights and suggestions on the proposed law. His contributions have been pivotal in raising awareness within the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges (MoRTB) about the need for such a law. As a result of these meetings, MoRTB has acknowledged the necessity of a comprehensive road safety law, and the drafting process has officially begun.