Representatives of Vietnam’s Ministry of Transportation (MOT) and the AIP Foundation visited Melbourne to study best practice in school zone road safety, with the support of the FIA Foundation and other leading partners.

The study tour was coordinated by AIP Foundation with support from FIA Foundation, Fondation Botnar, International Road Assessment Program (iRAP), and the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP). 

The delegation met with representatives from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and Monash University’s Accident Research Centre (MUARC). The overall objective of the mission was to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Transport in the area of road safety, with a focus on safe school zones and youth engagement in decision-making to promote road safety.

During the three-day tour, the delegation was able to learn more about technology applications for school zone safety enhancement, gain insight into Australia’s experience on the application of AusRAP/ iRAP star rating for roads, and shared their own experiences of piloting the Youth Engagement App (YEA) in the AI&Me: Empowering youth for safer roads program in Vietnam. The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) shared research on road safety management, and on motorcycle and pedestrian safety. The group also visited school zones made safer with the Star Ratings for Schools methodology.

The visit was a valuable opportunity for them to learn about Victoria’s leading road safety practices, to share their own experiences with the Victoria’s road safety experts, and to foster international collaboration. The delegation’s findings from the visit will be used to inform Vietnam’s own road safety policies and programs particularly on school zone safety.

The study tour was key in convincing government officials to push for investment in safe school zones, increase the implementation of school zone safety within their provinces, and apply innovative solutions for speed management. The delegation returned committed to driving action to promote the implementation of safe school zones and advocate for policy change.