UN MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND TRANSPORT POLICIES: HOW RISK ASSESSMENT AND MEASURES FOR ROAD SAFETY COULD PLAY A REWARDING ROLE FOR REGIONS WITH ECONOMIES IN TRANSITION

摘要

In some countries geographical, environmental and morphological facts itself, even beforethe economic whereabouts present a challenge for infrastructure development and hencefor the thriving of any subsequent transport policy and road safety strategy.It is well known that some regions of the World experience a meteorological andhydrological variability having harsh and severe consequences, e.g. due to extremeswings in precipitation, long drought spans, harsh climate changes. All mentioned factorscontribute to make cumbersome and expensive the deployment of a valuable roadnetwork, making also difficult the further cost control of infrastructure services andmaintenance, the transport logistic and the related transport and safety policies. If thementioned environmental factors do not hamper the feasibility, it can maybe contribute tomake new endeavors of road Administrations riskier both in terms of investments andbenefits.Furthermore, cities and economic industrialized areas are scattered along vast regionswere available mobility options, road connecting corridors, multimodal opportunities areunderdeveloped or, more often than not, do not represent still a worthy chance.In the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Framework set by UN Institutions, the actionof starting to think and act to eventually make infrastructure available, safe and effectivewould also mean the synergic improvement of other existing services and utilities (pipes,sewerage and electricity).This way, cities, outskirts and rural areas can afford a coordinated program of economicdevelopment.In the case of economies in transition it is of utter importance to identify a quick wincontext, such as the transport one could be, to stimulate growth- and development –chainmechanismThis paper is rooted on the experience of the main author (Luciana IORIO) in cooperatingwith UN institution and aims at providing a view and some references for action planned orto be undertaken in line with the UN plan for a better sustainable life through a sustainabletransport network development.