In line with its ongoing commitment to enhancing road safety at the local, regional, and international levels, Qatar University (QU)’s College of Engineering, through the Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Centre (QTTSC), organised a specialised training course on Road Safety Audits.
The three-day course was conducted in collaboration with the International Road Federation and the World Conference on Transport Research Society, reflecting a shared dedication to advancing safer road systems.
The training brought together more than 35 senior engineers and road safety professionals from key national institutions, including the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Transport, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), and various engineering consultancy and contracting firms.
Led by Dr Wael al-Hajyaseen of the QTTSC and engineer Miguel Santos, a senior road safety expert with the United Nations Office for Project Services, the course provided participants with the latest methodologies and tools for planning, conducting, and evaluating road safety audits.
The interactive sessions emphasised practical application and global best practices.
QU College of Engineering dean Dr Khaled Kamal Naji highlighted the broader impact of the initiative.
“Road safety remains a pressing global issue, particularly with the rising number of crashes involving young drivers,” he said. “This training course is part of our mission to promote safe road environments through education, research, and capacity building.”
“The QTTSC plays a critical role in advancing these objectives within the framework of academic excellence and public service,” Dr Naji added.
QTTSC director Dr Shimaa Ali al-Quradaghi stressed the importance of proactive safety measures.
“Tools like road safety audits and inspections are fundamental for identifying and mitigating risks before they result in crashes,” she said. “These preventative approaches support safer traffic operations across all road types, including construction zones and mixed-use areas, ensuring protection for all road users – drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.”
She also reaffirmed the QTTSC’s alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by addressing safety and sustainability in transport planning.
Looking ahead, Dr al-Hajyaseen announced that a follow-up training course on road safety in work zones is scheduled for September 2025.
