According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2016 more than 12,690 people were killed in road traffic crashes in the Philippines, corresponding to about 12.3 fatalities per 100,000 population. This fatality rate is about 1.3 times higher than the average of European countries (9.3 fatalities per 100,000 population).
The Philippine Road Safety Action Plan 2017-2022 was prepared in order to tackle the increasing road fatalities in the country. This plan follows the principles of the Vision Zero and has a target of decreasing road traffic fatalities by minimum 20% in the year 2022. Accordingly, the DPWH requested the World Bank to provide a technical assistance under a Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS). One of the activities related to the RAS is a road traffic crash risk assessment of roads of Philippines using the iRAP methodology.
The activities were developed according to two main pillars:
- iRAP analysis and protocols
- Dissemination and learning activities
In order to complete the iRAP analyses, supporting data concerning traffic, speed, crashes and economics were collected. Field surveys were organized to collect traffic and speed data. In particular, operating speeds were estimated using a mixed method based on field sample surveys and analysis of travel times provided by Google Maps.
Star Rating was produced for each Region and at national level, for each road user (vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists).
SRIPs were then produced according to four scenarios based on different Benefit-Cost Ratio thresholds. A list of countermeasures was provided; top countermeasures were: improve delineation (especially at curves), roadside barriers, sight distance (obstruction removal), traffic calming, shoulder rumble strips, central hatching, clear roadside hazards, footpath provision. It is estimated that the implementation of such countermeasures can save up to 89,000 deaths and serious injuries over 20 years.