A Road Safety Information System for Poland

Poland would like to improve its road safety situation. This requires efforts at national, regional, and municipal levels. A proper management structure is being attended to and there is a National Road Safety Programme. Some regions and municipalities have also prepared programmes. The preparation, implementation, and evaluation of a road safety policy could be supported by a Road Safety Information System (RSIS), giving direct access to relevant, up-to-date, and verified information. Bringing key data and knowledge to the professionals’ desks lowers the threshold for actually using this information. This has several advantages: - it raises awareness of the road safety problem; - it helps develop a common perspective on road safety and facilitates communication; - it contributes to the quality and efficiency of decision making. Implementing an RSIS in Poland is considered to be feasible on account of: - the importance attached to the improvement of road safety in Poland; - the availability of a road safety management structure; - the availability of relevant data. This report is meant to facilitate the implementation of an RSIS in Poland by identifying potential user groups, contents, and technical prerequisites. The RSIS should contain key data and knowledge on general developments and all issues identified as major problems. The magnitude of the problems is indicated in quantitative terms: background information, explanations of developments and measures to combat the problems help the professionals decide what to do. As an example, all subjects mentioned in GAMBIT 2000 are elaborated upon in this report, taking the availability of data into account. The RSIS is not meant to answer all questions concerning road safety that might arise; for this purpose an Information Desk - which also gives technical assistance - could be set up. It is recommended to start with a pilot phase and develop the RSIS incrementally. Activities that contribute to the success of the RSIS are, among other things, organising user feedback and user support. Otherwise the system matching users’ needs cannot be ensured. Finally the efforts needed to implement an RSIS are estimated. If, to start with, the Dutch Road Safety Information System is used, this will require only moderate modifications. A proposal is included for involving a number of organisations and their main tasks are determined. Looking at the potential importance of the RSIS, it is recommended that the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Economy decides about the outlines (purposes, restrictions etc.) and is responsible for financing the activities. The Motor Transport Institute would, looking at current tasks and expertise, be suitable to coordinate and carry out the activities, supported by other organisations.