Description

This Horizon Europe Innovation Action supports research and implementation projects aiming to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries in rural areas. The call focuses on expanding the use of the network-wide road safety assessment (NWRSA) methodology to all rural roads, developing innovative enforcement and incentive strategies to foster safer behavior, and creating tailored prevention strategies for vulnerable road users, such as the elderly and people with disabilities. Projects are also expected to develop GIS-based tools to help local and regional authorities identify and respond to risks from extreme weather and natural disasters, enhancing the safety and resilience of rural road networks.

Proposals must address all the following actions in at least three regions, covering both primary and secondary rural roads, to enable region-level comparisons:

• Demonstrate and expand the practical applicability of the NWRSA methodology to all rural roads.
• Develop and implement prevention strategies and measures to reduce fatalities and serious injuries, focusing on high-risk locations and improving road user behavior through reliable risk assessment methods, innovative enforcement, and awareness/incentive mechanisms.
• Create GIS-based tools to support local authorities in assessing and responding to climate-related and disaster risks affecting rural roads.

A gender, disability, and intersectional perspective is recommended. Selected regions should ensure diversity in road network design, geography, climate, and safety culture, with at least two regions in countries with above-average rural road fatality rates. The involvement of road authorities is strongly encouraged.