KARSIP follows a stepwise strategy.
Phase I
Initially KARSIP focuses on the development of pilot projects in LMICs. The first project will be launched soon in Sri Lanka. It involves the establishment of a road safety research institute at the University of Moratuwa. Once the organization has been set up, research will be conducted on Sri Lanka-specific road safety challenges, aligned with the Safe System approach. At the end of the three year project it is intended that the institute should be self-supporting.
During Phase I a small KARSIP Executive Committee supports the development of projects such as the Sri Lanka road safety research institute. Road Safety for All serves as the lead and secretariat. KARSIP will invite the submission of proposals, and the Executive Committee will provide advice on enhancing the proposals and will explore options with funding partners.
Phase II
While KARSIP started as an initiative of a small group of road safety professionals on a voluntary basis, in the long run a professional KARSIP organization is needed. Eventually, we expect that an existing international organization will be willing to adopt the KARSIP initiative. The organization structure of this ongoing KARSIP initiative will be discussed with the organization that is prepared to adopt the program. For example, KARSIP may serve as an independent entity or become a project or program of a (funding) organization.
In its final form the KARSIP program may have the following components:
- Establishing local research institutes
- Setting up university curricula
- Building practical education programs
- Developing guidelines
- Project guidance, secretariat services, communication and dissemination.
KARSIP funding
During Phase I, three types of funding are needed to develop the program:
- local funds for co-financing the pilot projects in a particular country/state, on the condition that countries are expected to eventually finance the long term research and training program themselves.
- sourcing funds to set up and support additional specific local pilot projects.
- while the Road Safety for All organization is available to serve as the program secretariat during Phase I, at no cost, sources of ongoing funding will need to be identified.