India’s First Post graduate course in Traffic Management to help curb road accidents in introduced

Road Death Accidents in India increased to  nearly 1.49 lakh in the year 2018  with Haryana’s accident severity rate as one of the highest in the country.

As per the previous years’ data, 5,118 people were killed and more than one lakh wounded in 11,238 road accidents in Haryana in the year  2018; 5,120 had died and 10,339 injured in 11,258 accidents in the year 2017 and 5,024 deaths were reported in mishaps in the year 2016.

In Faridabad 276 people were killed  in 712 road accidents during the year 2017 as compared to 212 people’s death in  624 road accidents during  the year 2016.

“All over the world, including India, issues such as traffic congestion, safety, urban liveability, environmental impacts and the effectiveness of transport operations are everyday concerns. One of the crucial issues the country is facing is the vacuum of  professional and scientific manpower shortage in all domains of traffic engineering, driver and fleet management, accident investigation, traffic enforcement and post-crash management. This is the reason that much of all road traffic management is failing, and consultants are being brought in.  There is a growing demand for professionals who are prepared to address these challenges,” said Dr Rohit Baluja, President, Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).

“To reduce fatal road accidents and control,  indiscipline, and road rage, scientific approach to traffic management and road safety management is the need of the hour. There is a dearth of professionals in all domains of traffic management: traffic engineering, road safety audit, driver training and fleet management, traffic enforcement and road crash investigation, vehicle fitness and post-crash management.” said Dr. Rohit Baluja ,

“Aimed at imparting academic and practical knowledge of all domains of traffic management, the College of Traffic Management of the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) has launched a two-year, postgraduate programme (M.Sc) in Traffic Management.” Said Dr Baluja.

“The course includes traffic engineering, traffic enforcement, road crash investigation, vehicle safety, road safety education, highway asset management, road safety audit, post-crash management, and other related avenues. It has welcomed candidates not only from India but from all across Southeast Asia.” Said Dr Baluja.

 “The PG programme has as many as 30 seats and is affiliated to the Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) of Haryana. The course is into second year of its launch . The last date to apply for the new programme for year 2019-20  is August 10, 2019.” he added .

 “Candidates who pass out with a degree of this programme will have career opportunities in operating highways, road construction and maintenance, fleet operators, tourist and transport organisations, automobile organisation, urban development agencies, government and non-government organisations dealing with road transport, traffic engineering, safety audits, and road safety amongst many other options.” Said Dr Baluja

 The aim of unveiling this course is to translate or promote such M.Sc. in other institutes across South East Asia as a part of the MOU between IRTE & United Nations Economic Commission for Europe .

IRTE’s College of Traffic Management has also initiated two year post graduate M.Sc degree course in  Forensic Science, with a view to impart quality Forensic Education that will cater to not only vehicle  crash investigation but also to crime at large and over a period evolve as an integrated entity encompassing scientific, technological and legal services. This degree is also affiliated to Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, Haryana.

 Currently, the College of Traffic Management is training Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers in traffic management, highway engineers, driver trainers, accident investigators, and transport officers.