Safer Roads for Children: FIA School Assessment Toolkit Project Successfully Implemented in Armenia

The Armenian Automobile Federation (FAA) has successfully completed its FIA School Assessment Toolkit’s initiative, in collaboration with the Association of Official Representatives of Automobile Manufacturers, and with the support of the FIA Safe and Sustainable Mobility Grants Programme, funded by the FIA Foundation.

The year-long project sought to assess and improve safety in two school districts (Gyumri and Vanadzor).

Vanadzor and Gyumri both share significant road safety concerns. Of the 40 schools assessed in the cities, 25 received 1-Star ratings from the FIA School Assessment Toolkit, based on iRap’s Star Rating for Schools methodology. 1 Star is the lowest possible rating – and indicates poor safety measures in the roads and pedestrianized areas around schools.

Following the assessment, two schools were chosen for further intervention – Gyumri Community School no.24 and Vanadzor Community School No.10.

In Gyumri, a pedestrian-activated traffic light was installed, and appropriate signage, and speed limits were implemented. These interventions helped the school to achieve a 5-Star rating – the best school safety it’s possible to achieve.

Meanwhile, at the school on Aghayan Street in Vanadzor, improved road markings, essential signage, and a new 30 km/h speed limit were introduced, resulting in an elevated safety rating of 4.7 stars.

400 students have ultimately benefitted from the programme.

The FAA will now seek to broaden the initiative – ultimately assessing and improving the star ratings of schools across the nation.

Road safety is a key priority at the FIA. Through the FIA School Assessment toolkit, the FIA has helped hundreds of schools around the world to improve the safety and wellbeing of children on their way to school.