TRUST
Road safety is relevant for everyone, and the TRUST project aims to address this key issue by fostering a positive Traffic Safety Culture (TSC) in Europe!
Despite substantial improvements in recent years, road safety remains a critical issue in the EU, with high numbers of fatalities and severe injuries on our roads. Moreover, the key role of road safety in improving public health and sustainability is being widely recognized, and achieving a real paradigm shift towards a “Vision Zero” is essential in EU cities. While infrastructure improvements, technological advancements in vehicle safety, regulations, and traffic laws are undoubtedly necessary, a culture shift around road safety is also needed to support and enhance the Safe System Approach in the steps towards Vision Zero.
With the ultimate goal of contributing to a significant reduction of fatal and seriously injured road traffic victims by growing a positive traffic safety culture in Europe, the new EU project TRUST aims to establish a common understanding of TSC by unifying the various interpretations into a single definition and fostering academic consensus.
With a three-year duration, from May 2025 to April 2028, the project will create a conceptual framework that addresses transformations at both the community and organisational levels. Additionally, TRUST will demonstrate how TSC can support both Safe System and sustainable mobility approaches. To further its mission, the TRUST platform will be developed to provide guidance for authorities, companies, and decision-makers at all levels. This platform will include easy access to validated self-assessment tools that enable benchmarking and the application of appropriate intervention strategies, utilising both established methods and AI-based approaches; a European TSC index will be created to cater to both national and subnational levels.
This project will have seven pilots—implemented in at least 12 countries—to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of TSC, encompassing a diverse range of contexts and stakeholders. Four pilots are situated at the organisational level, and three pilots at the community level:
- Local authorities and cities
- Drivers at work
- Hot food delivery
- Tourism
- Driving schools
- Secondary schools
- Road safety and sustainability professionals
Lead by KFV (Kuratorium Fuer Verkehrssicherheit) and with other 12 partners, including POLIS associate member TØI, TRUST counts on expertise from road safety, safety culture, education and training, and policy and guidance to build a solid TSC in Europe and beyond, reaching all road user groups and different stakeholders, ensuring long-lasting Vision Zero and sustainability in our cities.
Want to keep up with the latest news? Follow the project on LinkedIn.
