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SWOV - SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research

Netherlands

SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research is the centre point for road safety research in the three Benelux countries and was founded in 1962. SWOV’s objective is to contribute to road safety by means of scientific research and dissemination of the results. The mission of SWOV can be described in three tasks. Firstly, SWOV carries out, in agreement with the Ministry of Transport, research which will influence the road safety policy in the middle and long term. Secondly, the recommendation of measures to improve road safety which are based on results of scientific research, either done by SWOV or others. Thirdly, there is the knowledge distribution to professional users. The position that the Netherlands has acquired in the field of road safety makes SWOV recognised throughout the world.

About 40 researchers, plus supporting staff, work on five defined themes, which cover the areas of the road user, vehicles, the road infrastructure, analysis of road safety, and support of decision-making processes in this field. These are carried out in two departments.

SWOV has conducted or commissioned numerous studies, published over 1,000 papers and organised many meetings and confer-ences. SWOV has also participated in various projects sponsored by the European Union, through the European Commission.
These projects include: HOPES, SAMOVAR, SARTRE, SAFESTAR, GADGET, MASTER, ARROWS, ADONIS, DUMAS, PROMISING, COMPATIBILITY, ADVISORS, ASTERYX, ALCOLOCKS, IMMORTAL, PENDANT, ROSEBUD and the CARE database. Moreover, SWOV was one of the three participating (i.e. safest) countries in SUNFLOWER.

SWOV also plays a special role in two world-wide OECD permanent projects: ITRD (since 1968) and IRTAD (since 1989). During the last 30 years, SWOV has provided chairmen to more Road Research Programme Expert Groups dealing with a road safety subject, than almost every other country.

SWOV workers frequently visit and give presentations at high level scientific congresses, seminars, workshops, etc in the Netherlands and abroad. SWOV's expertise and experience is recognised throughout the world.

Exchange of knowledge and information also takes place in various organizations, such as FERSI (within Europe) and PIARC (worldwide).

Additional Information: www.swov.nl

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