Urban Mobility and Road Safety in Latin America and the Caribbean

Course Description

Welcome to "Urban Mobility and Road Safety in Latin America and the Caribbean," an eye-opening course that delves into the critical issue of road safety in rapidly urbanizing regions. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the challenges faced by vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, in urban areas. With a focus on creating cities for people rather than cars, you'll explore innovative approaches to urban planning, speed management, and infrastructure design that prioritize safety and accessibility for all.

What students will learn from the course:

  • Identification of "vulnerable users" and application of Vision Zero methodologies in urban settings
  • Understanding of subnational road safety plans and speed management techniques
  • Recognition of safe infrastructure for active mobility
  • Combination of communication strategies with road safety interventions for safer urban mobility
  • Insights into child mobility and safety in urban environments
  • Challenges and good practices for reducing risks faced by motorcyclists
  • Design and implementation of sustainable road safety communication campaigns

Pre-requisites or skills necessary to complete the course:

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. It is designed as an introductory-level course, making it accessible to anyone interested in urban mobility and road safety.

What the course will cover:

  • Introduction to vulnerable road users and Vision Zero concept
  • Speed management and child mobility
  • Safe infrastructure for active mobility (cycling and walking)
  • Motorcycle safety challenges and experiences
  • Road safety communication campaigns
  • Key concepts and conclusions on urban mobility and road safety

Who this course is for:

This course is ideal for:

  • Urban planners and designers
  • Transportation engineers and professionals
  • Policy makers and government officials
  • Road safety advocates and activists
  • Students interested in urban development and transportation
  • Anyone passionate about creating safer, more inclusive cities

How learners can use these skills in the real world:

The skills and knowledge gained from this course can be applied in various real-world scenarios:

  1. Developing and implementing road safety plans for cities and regions
  2. Designing safer urban infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists
  3. Creating effective speed management strategies
  4. Advocating for policy changes to improve urban mobility and safety
  5. Conducting road safety awareness campaigns
  6. Collaborating with stakeholders to implement Vision Zero initiatives
  7. Addressing the specific needs of vulnerable road users in urban planning projects

Syllabus:

Module 1: Introduction

  • Introduction to "vulnerable users"
  • Vision Zero concept for cities

Module 2: Speed management and child mobility

  • Importance of subnational road safety plans
  • Speed management techniques
  • Child safety in urban environments

Module 3: Towards a safer infrastructure for active mobility

  • Good practices and examples of safe infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians

Module 4: Motorcycles, challenges, and experiences

  • Risks faced by motorcyclists
  • Challenges and good practices to reduce motorcycle-related risks

Module 5: Road Safety Communication campaigns

  • Designing effective road safety campaigns
  • Ensuring sustainability of communication interventions

Module 6: Key Concepts and conclusions

  • Summary of main ideas
  • Comparison of traditional approach vs. Vision Zero
  • Final evaluation

This course offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into urban mobility and road safety, with a specific focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. By enrolling, you'll be joining a community of learners dedicated to making our cities safer and more accessible for all road users.