Chennai/Bhubaneswar: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras' (IIT Madras) RBG Labs has partnered with the Odisha Government to implement data-driven strategies aimed at enhancing road safety across the state.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on December 23, 2024, between IIT Madras and Odisha's Commerce and Transport Department, marking a significant step towards reducing road fatalities through evidence-based interventions.

The initiative is grounded in RBG Labs' '5E model and Transportation Safety Framework,' which focuses on Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Care, and Empathy. This holistic approach combines technology, design thinking, and targeted communication tools to address road safety challenges.

Shri Bhibhuti Bhusan Jena, Odisha's Commerce and Transport Minister, lauded the collaboration as pivotal to the state's vision of innovation-driven safety. Principal Secretary Smt Usha Padhee emphasized capacity-building efforts for officers, while Transport Commissioner Shri Amitabh Thakur highlighted advanced crash investigation techniques like Root Cause Analysis.

Key objectives include training stakeholders in data-driven interventions, fostering empathy in accident analysis, and promoting road safety awareness through interactive school programs.

IIT Madras Director Prof. V Kamakoti reaffirmed the institution's commitment to advancing road safety nationwide, leveraging its expertise to save lives and enhance socio-economic development.