Latest news with #NATPAC
New Indian Express
12-08-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
400 Kerala road stretches unsafe for pedestrians
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pedestrian deaths accounted for 26.5% — over one-fourth — of the total fatalities in road accidents in Kerala between 2018 and 2022. As per a study by the NATPAC (National Transportation Planning and Research Centre) based on the data, the state has 400 pedestrian vulnerable corridors — sections of roads where risks to pedestrians are exceptionally high — spanning a total 555.81 km. The study said more than 5,100 pedestrians died in road crashes in Kerala between 2018 and 2022 in these corridors. The NATPAC analysis also found that 62% of the 400 corridors lacked basic pedestrian facilities like footpaths and zebra crossings, further elevating risks. As per the Road Crash Statistics of the State Crime Records Bureau, Kerala Police — which was referred for the NATPAC study — as many as 19,468 people died and 2,11,534 were injured in 1,86,375 road accidents in Kerala from 2018 to 2022. Kerala ranked third in India when it came to total road accidents. Unsafe
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Emergency vehicles no longer stuck at signals: EVPS trial succeeds on NH 66
T'puram: Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire engines will no longer have to wait at traffic signals on the busy Thiruvananthapuram–Kazhakkoottam NH 66. Thanks to the successful trial of the Emergency Vehicle Priority System (EVPS), developed jointly by NATPAC and Keltron, crucial response times during life-saving missions are now set to improve significantly. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The system was tested at the Infosys junction and allows real-time communication between emergency vehicles and traffic signals using wave-based technology. This ensures priority passage for emergency responders while also minimising disruptions to regular traffic flow. According to trial data, EVPS resulted in considerable travel time reductions. For instance, the travel time from Kazhakkoottam to Venpalavattom (2km) dropped from 54 seconds to 40 seconds, a 14-second improvement. In some cases, up to 24 seconds were saved on recorded 40 seconds. On average, each signal saved over 10 seconds. Authorities highlight that the system will enable emergency vehicles to reach their destinations faster and safer, potentially saving more lives. The trials compared travel durations with and without EVPS, clearly demonstrating the system's effectiveness under all conditions. Efforts are now underway to enhance the system further. Upgraded sensors capable of detecting vehicles from greater distances are being developed to improve accuracy and response time. Officials noted that this upgrade could be a game-changer in critical rescue operations by significantly reducing delays.
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Bridging the gap: Road safety plan prioritises gender-inclusive infrastructure
KOCHI: The lack of public toilet facilities and well-lit areas have long been associated with the drawbacks of the road networks in the state. Now, a study report which forms the basis for the state government in preparing a 'Road Safety Action Plan' for the period 2025-30 has called for addressing such issues related to 'gender differences' and consider the different ways both men and women experience road safety and its related aspects. The 'Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala State (2025-2030)', prepared by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), an institution under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), has pitched for ensuring a gender perspective in transport planning. 'Engaging women and diverse gender groups in decision-making processes will ensure that road safety measures are comprehensive and promote equity, ultimately contributing to safer roads... Gender differences in road safety affect women differently due to physical, behavioural, and social reasons. Transport policy frameworks must provide an enabling environment for safe, secure, accessible, reliable, and sustainable mobility to address these gender differences,' the report said.
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
36 per cent of highways in Kerala unsafe for motorists
KOCHI: More than one-third of the highways in the state are prone to accidents, reveals a latest study report prepared by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). According to the 'Road Safety Action Plan for Kerala State (2025-2030)', more than 2,200 km of road corridors -- national highways (NH) and state highways -- in the state are found to be 'crash vulnerable'. The study has been done to facilitate the government to form a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan which aims to cut the accident fatalities in the state by half by 2030. While a whopping 60% (1,089.4 km out of the total 1,811.52 km) of the NH is accident-prone, 26% of the state highways (1,144 km out of the total 4,342 km) falls under the category. Combined, 36% (2,233km out of 6,153 km) of the highways are crash vulnerable, shows the report. The Average Annual Traffic Crashes (AATC) for all major categories of roads in Kerala was found to be higher for NH with 5.15 crashes/km, followed by state highways (2.23 crashes/km). Other roads reported a low crash rate of around 0.10 crashes/km, the report states. As per the report, a major portion of the vulnerable stretches is in Thrissur (289.9 km) while Ernakulam is second with 265.7 km, followed by Kozhikode (224.3 km), Malappuram (219.7 km), Alappuzha (192.4 km), Kottayam (183.1 km), Thiruvananthapuram (174) km), Palakkad (168.2 km), Kollam (143.1 km), Kannur (137.8 km), Pathanamthitta (83.8 km), Kasaragod (55.3 km), Idukki (49.8 km) and Wayanad (47.7 km).
