The “Zero-Fatality Corridor” (ZFC) model identifies high-fatality stretches of roads and facilitates the implementation of solutions across Engineering, Enforcement, Trauma Care and Community Engagement, to save lives. The solutions are designed specifically for low-resource settings. For instance, instead of deploying more ambulances to improve response times, the existing fleet is optimised using data science. Similarly, to treat a high-fatality intersection with flawed design, a tactical redesign is undertaken with cones, barriers and high-visibility paint.

The model has delivered an over 50% drop in fatalities across 1500 kilometers of roads and has been recognised by the Indian Government as the definitive solution to save lives on Indian roads.

The impact: By systematically targeting and mitigating the breadth of factors contributing to road fatalities, SLF has delivered a 52% reduction in road crash fatalities on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Zero Fatality Corridor from 2016 to 2020 through this solution. The project has achieved this by rectification of over 3,500 engineering errors, proactive assistance to over 47,000 vehicles to prevent rear end collisions, training of 855 first responders in Basic Trauma and Life Skills and 5,780 drivers in Anticipatory Driving & Accident Prevention Skills.

Building on the success of the pilot ZFC project, SLF received Maharashtra government permission to replicate the model on Old Mumbai Pune Highway on National Highway 48, one of the deadliest highways in the state. The solution on the stretch has enabled 54% reduction of road crash fatalities on the stretch. The project has witnessed rectification of 2,699 engineering errors including closing of gap in median, installation of retro reflective signages; enhanced enforcement mechanism through dedicated patrol vehicles; identification and eradication of blackspots on the stretch; and training of 509 bystanders in Basic Trauma and Life Support.

The ZFC projects on Mumbai - Pune Expressway and NH 48 have been recognised nationally with the projects being awarded the SIAM Road Safety CSR awards in 2018 & 2019 respectively. Globally, the Mumbai - Pune ZFC was featured on the World Economic Forum as well.

ZFC’s six pronged approach: The ZFC model employs a unique 6-step approach to achieve tangible and lasting impacts. They are as follows:

1. Coalition Building – SLF selects a high-fatality road and forms a project coalition with the local State government and a corporate funding partner to initiate the project.
2. Data Analysis – SLF triangulates data from multiple sources including Police department and via in house forensic crash investigation to identify the definitive causes of crashes on the target corridor.
3. Conduct onsite audits – SLF conducts multiple audits to specify the location, time, nature and repetitiveness of the causal factors on the target road.
4. Implement Solutions – SLF designs and implements tactical solutions across 4 Es of road safety and advocates with State governments to own permanent interventions through investment.
5. Impact assessment – SLF engages Police and third party agencies to evaluate the progress against the primary metric, reduction in road crash fatalities on the ZFC.
6. Replication and Scaling – SLF exponentially increases impact by engaging new partners to implement the ZFC model on additional highways in India and beyond.