Each year, over 1.3 million fatalities and 50 million injuries occur on roads globally, with vulnerable road users (VRUs)—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists—accounting for over half of these deaths. Current solutions often fail to provide localised, actionable insights to mitigate risks. Inspired by the EU’s Vision Zero goal, the SAFELY project aims to enhance urban road safety by leveraging data-driven tools to identify hazardous areas, understand accident patterns and implement targeted safety interventions.
The project employs advanced analytics, machine learning algorithms and public participation mechanisms to deliver scalable, replicable road safety improvements. Through pilot demonstrations in Konya, Türkiye; and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; SAFELY integrates historical accident data, user feedback and geospatial analytics to identify and address safety risks. It will include high-density accident areas, cause-effect relations, accident type, vehicle type, etc. Based on these outputs of the solution, the project team will produce guidelines for spatial measures, including enhanced signage, pedestrian crossings and improved road markings. By fostering community engagement and utilising Mapalyse, the Public Participation Geographic Information System (PPGIS), the project ensures inclusive and effective outcomes.
This collaboration includes the Technical University of Berlin (project lead), Parabol (commercial partner), and local authorities from the pilot cities. From January to December 2025, the project targets a reduction in VRU-related accidents, contributing to safer, more inclusive urban environments.
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Global road accidents cause 1.3 million deaths annually, with VRUs accounting for 50%—underscoring the urgent need for targeted safety measures in urban areas.
SAFELY addresses VRU safety gaps using advanced analytics, identifying high-risk areas and guiding urban authorities toward evidence-based interventions.
The implementation of physical interventions based on the solution’s analysis is expected to enhance safety in 2 cities for a reduction in VRU-related accidents.
The SAFELY project successfully identified high-risk locations, developed targeted safety measures, and supported measurable improvements in traffic safety in both Konya and Sarajevo. In Konya, five years of accident data were analysed, leading to three priority sites where full risk maps and interventions were implemented. The project engaged the municipal staff, directly impacting thousands of daily trips. The municipality of Konya implemented (hard) physical road safety measures at three locations in the city.
In Sarajevo, two high-risk locations were studied, revealing safety issues through accident analysis, field observations, and 300 citizen survey responses. Key improvements targeted illegal parking, low visibility, unprotected crossings, traffic light coordination, and pedestrian infrastructure. User feedback and municipal validation confirmed the accuracy and usefulness of the results. In Sarajevo two infrastructural road safety measures were implemented.
Impact: Enhanced awareness of road safety risks, evidence-based interventions, and improved perceptions of safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Next steps: monitor long-term accident trends, and consider scaling SAFELY to additional high-risk locations in both cities.
