Karachi, December 17, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Civil Engineering and Architecture Department of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology took lead to link the Road Safety with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and organized a workshop on Artificially Intelligent Transportation System at the campus.
Addressing the workshop, Vice Chancellor SSUET, Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin said that the Road safety is the major health issue in Pakistan and according to the latest WHO data published in 2018, Road Traffic Accidents Deaths in Pakistan reached 30,046 or 2.42% of total deaths. Pakistan stands 95 in the world in the ranking of road safety measures. The economically productive age groups (15 – 64 years) in Pakistan is involved in 75% of Road Crash Fatalities and Injuries. Moreover, 1,461 persons affected due to disability from road crash injuries per 100,000 people.
Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin advised the road users not to do reckless driving especially under the influence of drugs. Drivers should avoid using hand phone and playing loud music while driving. While speaking on “Karachi Road Safety Scenario and Efforts for Reducing Crash Burden”, the keynote speaker, renowned Neurology and Trauma Expert, Prof. Dr. Rashid Jooma, said that the 90% of traffic deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Majority of road accidents are caused by drivers’ recklessness and speed driving. Pedestrians should know the road rights and responsibilities of other road users. Prof. Dr. Rashid Jooma highlighted need for policy dialog between all stakeholders effected by road crashes.
Keynote speech on Road Crash Analysis and Crash Worthiness Concepts was delivered by Engr. Dr. Omer Qureshi, CEO Automotive Design and Crashworthiness Research (ADCR), Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad. Giving a highly involved presentation, Dr. Omer Qureshi provided insight of various incidents happened in Pakistan with the help of scientific analysis of each of case studies discussed. The main thrust of his talk was crashes always leave marks behind and in-depth forensic analysis reveals the minute details of all minor factors leading to a major disaster. He concluded by saying that the approach of crash analysis should be to make roads safer for all road users.
Dr. Afzal Ahmed, ITS expert from NED University said that the public transport is safer than the private transport and 52% of total road accidents are caused by motorbike riders. Good Public transport system could reduce the number of motorbike riders, resulting in fewer accidents. We have heterogeneous and lane-less traffic stream. Nobody gives attention to the lateral and longitudinal gaps. Driver’s behaviour contribute to unsafe traffic. Dr. Afzal Ahmed shared results of using drone technology in road safety research.
Earlier, presenting welcome address, Dean, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Prof. Dr. Mir Shabbar Ali said that the Internet of Things (IoT) can be an important part of our life. IoT in transportation would prevent damage and mitigate accidents to make road safer. It provides real-time data to drivers. Engr. Murtaza Asad, The Engineering Services (TES) spoke on “Bikers as an Important Road Safety Stakeholders, while Dr. Umar Talha of SSUET spoke on A-ITS Vision and Possible Road Safety Applications. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin gave memento to the guest speakers along with Registrar SSUET, Syed Sarfraz Ali.
For more information, contact:
Deputy Director Information,
Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET)
University Road, Karachi-75300, Pakistan
Mobile: 0333-2197581
Tel: +92-21-4988000-2, 4982393-474583
Fax: +92-21-4982393
Email: ahdaccani@gmail.com
Website: https://ssuet.edu.pk/