Bangkok: "TRADAR," a newly launched institute dedicated to analyzing accident data, aims to harness Big Data to sustainably reduce road accidents. The initiative is a result of a cooperation agreement signed by the Department of Land Transport, the Department of Highways, the Central Insurance Company, and ThaiRoads.
According to Thai News Agency, the National Institute of Road Accident Data Research and Analysis (TRADAR) is positioned as a regional and international hub for in-depth data and research. Key figures like Mr. Sorapong Paitoonpong, Director-General of the Department of Land Transport, and Mr. Piyapong Chiwatnakulpaishal, Director-General of the Department of Highways, along with Ms. Pannee Pitikulthang of the Road Accident Victims Protection Company Limited and Professor Dr. Paiboon Suriyawongpaisarn of the ThaiRoads Foundation, were instrumental in the signing of the cooperation agreement.
Mr. Sorapong emphasized the urgency of addressing road safety in Thailand, citing the World Health Organization's ranking of the country as 18th in terms of road accident fatalities. The government has set a target to reduce fatalities to 12 per 100,000 population by 2027, as part of the Road Safety Master Plan 2022-2027. The Department of Land Transport is proactive in addressing road safety issues, including enhancing driver's license processes and developing safer vehicle standards. The department's Big Data project aims to establish a comprehensive data system to monitor and analyze accident causes, essential for crafting effective road safety measures.
The collaboration among the organizations focuses on integrating, analyzing, and synthesizing road accident data. This partnership facilitates the sharing of resources, knowledge, and technology, aiming for systematic policy development to reduce road fatalities and accidents sustainably.
Mr. Piyapong highlighted the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in enhancing national-level data integration and analysis. The Department of Highways is committed to providing various data types for joint analysis, enabling evidence-based policy formulation and maximizing governmental resource efficiency for road user safety.
Ms. Pannee expressed the Central Insurance Company's commitment to the collaboration, which significantly links and utilizes road accident data. The company has compiled extensive data from motor vehicle insurance claims and accident reports to support effective road safety measures.
Professor Dr. Paiboon stated that the MOU marks a significant step in enhancing road safety management standards in Thailand. The ThaiRoads Foundation aims to manage TRADAR as an independent academic body, applying research to identify accident causes and develop evidence-based policy recommendations. This approach will support the Department of Land Transport and partner agencies in effectively implementing measures to prevent and resolve road accidents, ultimately reducing fatalities and property loss sustainably.