A motorcycle safety project which was trialled on Loch Lomondside has been awarded a road safety award by a panel of international experts.
Project PRIME has been given a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award, which is presented to organisations in recognition of their outstanding contribution to improving road safety.
Transport Scotland worked with the Road Safety Trust, BEAR Scotland and globally recognised expert Professor Alex Stedmon to create trial sites across Scotland where new road markings were installed to improve the riding behaviour of motorcyclists taking left hand bends.
This included including the A82 at Inveruglas, where monitoring of over 1,170 motorbikes showed they were braking more safely.
Video footage was manually assessed and led to:
- A significant reduction in speed.
- A significant improvement in road position both on the approach and apex of the bend.
- A significant improvement in braking behaviour.
- No motorcycle injury collisions at any of the previously identified accident cluster sites where PRIME markings have been deployed.
Project PRIME was also awarded both the Road Safety Scheme of the Year Award and the Judges Special Merit Award at the UK Transport Awards in October.
Professor Stedmon said: “It is an incredible honour to receive this award for Project PRIME, especially with its focus on motorcyclists who are one of the most vulnerable types of road user.
“This work has provided a unique opportunity to use fundamental principles of applied psychology in real-world trials with many tens of thousands of riders.
“The work also underpins Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 and the wider Safe System approach to road safety.
“Throughout Project PRIME we have involved motorcyclists in the development of this casualty reduction initiative, so that the road markings are something they will accept and use. It has been developed for motorcyclists by motorcyclists.
“As a psychologist and also a keen motorcyclist, I am very proud to have led the research on this work.
“While the solution might appear simple, the science behind it is complex. However, it would not have been possible without the support and commitment of the Road Safety Trust, Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland and Open Road Simulation.
“Receiving the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award will elevate the importance of this work and the significant social and economic impact of Project PRIME around the world.”
Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said she was ‘delighted’ with the award.
“Project PRIME has been a real triumph for road safety, demonstrating what happens when latest academic theory is supported by real world application – all made possible thanks to Scottish engineering and a strong partnership approach,” she added.
“This award not only underlines the success of the project, but also gives international recognition to the hard work of all the partners involved.
“The Scottish Government strongly believes that one death on our roads is one too many and remains absolutely committed to working towards having the best road safety performance in the world by 2030 and an ambitious long term goal where no one is seriously injured or killed on our roads by 2050.”
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