INRETS - National Institute for Transport and Safety Research
France
The French National Institute for Transport and Safety Research (INRETS) was created in 1985. It is a state-financed scientific and technological body under the dual administrative supervision of the Ministry in charge of Research and the Ministry in charge of Transport.
INRETS major priority missions include:
- to organize, execute and assess technological research and development in order to improve traffic, transport means and transport systems from a technical, technological, economic and social viewpoint,
- to carry out evaluative and advisory studies within these domains,
- to promote the results of research, to contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge and to participate to training in the research field both in France and abroad.
The total staff of INRETS is about 400 including 189 researchers and engineers (mainly in physical and social sciences), 157 technicians and assistants, and 54 administrative and management personnel.
Four key issues, including interdisciplinary projects, are at the heart of INRETS' research: the road safety (research on accidents, prevention and road user protection), the transport networks and services (Improving traffic management and intermodal complementary), the driving aids (information, assistance, automation) and the transport and environment protection (promoting sustainable mobility and limiting the environmental impact of transport).
For many years INRETS has been developing epidemiological research on links between driving under the influence of alcohol and accident risk. More recently INRETS has developed experimental research on driving under the influence of medicines. More generally the institute generates expertise, contributes to a better understanding of road risk and to more efficient public management: a part of this activity has been applied to the influence of alcohol and cannabis on road safety.
Additional Information: www.inrets.fr