Meet the road safety expert behind Vision Zero

Claes Tingvall played a vital role in launching Sweden's Vision Zero initiative during his tenure at that time as Traffic Safety Director at the Swedish Transport Administration. For close to four decades, he has been dedicated to the mission of decreasing traffic-related fatalities. At AFRY, Claes spearheads the development of a road safety index for the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), aimed at reducing global transport accidents and promoting greater road safety accountability among large corporations and across the value chain. In addition, Claes serves as the chairman of the international expert council on road safety, tasked with developing recommendations for use at next year's global ministerial meeting at the World Health Organization (WHO).

Vision Zero: paving the way for a safer traffic environment

Nearly three decades ago, the launch of Vision Zero revolutionized the view on road safety. Instead of trying to change drivers' behavior, the focus shifted to adapting vehicles and environments to better align with drivers' habits and characteristics. This innovative approach challenged conventional thinking, positioning Sweden as a global leader in road safety initiatives.

What impact has Vision Zero had on modern Swedish society?

"The vision gained far more recognition than we anticipated, reaching national audiences in areas such as suicide prevention and fire safety, and even resonating internationally. The core principle, that "making a mistake should not be fatal" has become the most recognized aspect of Vision Zero for road traffic. Although some interpret it as a goal, which is not inherently problematic, the term "zero" fundamentally relates to social acceptance and the ethics of those in charge. Trade-offs are not permitted; for instance, weighing time gains against road safety is no longer acceptable. Another example is that when constructing roads and streets, safety solutions that are inferior to proven best practices are not allowed.

What strategies prove most effective in reducing traffic fatalities and attaining optimal outcomes?

"Safety is the core measure in all situations. A system design that delivers outcomes is a working mix of speed, road infrastructure, and vehicles. You may invest in a higher level of safety to drive at a higher speed. Then we need to perceive investments in safety as a method to enhance accessibility in the transport system; making travel faster and easier through safety investments.

Highly effective measures exist to enhance safety. In traffic environments, roundabouts can reduce mortality by approximately 95%, while central barriers achieve around an 80% reduction. Inside vehicles, seat belts decrease mortality by about 60% across all situations, and anti-skid systems cut fatalities by roughly 50% in single and head-on collisions. Additionally, wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of fatal injuries by up to 65%. Educating young children about traffic rules and providing advanced driving courses for drivers also helps lower the risk of accidents and injuries.

A safe workplace is also a matter of sustainability and equality. Since traffic itself forms the most lethal working environment, the link between sustainability and road safety becomes evident. When it comes to climate-related sustainability, reduced city speeds also lead to less noise, fewer particles, and lower carbon dioxide emissions, enhancing the health of urban residents. Additionally, lower speeds promote greater accessibility and mobility for children and the elderly."

The synergy between modern vehicles, roads, and drivers

People make mistakes in traffic, and the advanced safety features in modern vehicles should assist drivers in detecting and responding to them. The interaction between today's safety systems, autonomous vehicles, and traditional roads presents immense opportunities for development. Self-driving vehicles rely heavily on their surroundings to navigate and identify dangers. Such advanced road and traffic environments are mainly found in our major cities.

How does the rise in vehicle automation affect road safety?

"We can automate numerous vehicle functions to enhance road safety. Functions that act in emergencies, prevent an intoxicated, tired, or distracted driver from operating the vehicle, and ensure the driver does not exceed the speed limit while maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. Moving to a fully autonomous vehicle does not necessarily enhance safety further. However, it can be a good idea for making transportation more efficient, cheaper, and feasible at inconvenient times and in difficult-to-reach locations."

What are the key areas of focus in road safety today, given the rapid advancements in vehicle technology?

"Most important is to continue adjusting speeds to the safety level we create in the system design between vehicle, human, and road. We should have a speed limit of no more than 30 km/h in urban areas and cars with automated emergency brakes and geofencing. Roads should have central barriers but also the technology and road markings required to create conditions for vehicles to orient themselves in an emergency.”

Road Safety Index – the next breakthrough

As a senior consultant at AFRY, Claes spearheads the FIA Road Safety Index initiative, encouraging large multinational corporations to take greater responsibility for and report their road safety impact. Similar to how companies disclose their carbon footprints, the aim of the index is to mandate reporting on the fatalities or severe injuries in traffic within a company's value chain. This important and systematic effort entails companies gradually reducing their footprints and saving more lives.

What impact is the Road Safety Index anticipated to have?

"The use of the index is currently being discussed at the United Nations and World Health Organization, and there's a strong likelihood that the FIA Road Safety Index will become the global standard for reporting on road safety within large companies. This index evaluates and monitors a company's ambitions, policies, and measures over time. Presently, AFRY is the sole organization authorized to conduct audits and ratings of companies based on the FIA Road Safety Index.

Numerous companies have embarked on their initiatives, and a notable example of success is the French company TotalEnergies that proudly holds a high and well-deserved score in the FIA Road Safety Index. This commendable rating reflects TotalEnergies' commitment to prioritizing safety by enforcing uniform high safety standards for vehicles across all their countries. All vehicles are linked to a central system, ensuring that drivers adhere strictly to speed limits, driving and resting times, and sobriety requirements. Furthermore, drivers are prohibited from using screens or phones while driving.

Claes chairs the international expert council on road safety, tasked with developing recommendations for the World Health Organization's global ministerial meeting in Morocco in 2025. Convened by the Swedish government through the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), the council comprises of 15 experts from around the world.

What are your hopes and expectations for the upcoming conference?

“There are high expectations for major businesses, especially those operating in low-income countries, to enhance the safety of their traffic and transport systems. Each year, approximately 90% of the 1.2 million people who die in road accidents globally are in low- and middle-income countries. We should address road fatalities in these regions as a critical health and safety issue, with companies being responsible for creating a secure working environment. If more companies achieve the same results as TotalEnergies, hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved annually.”