Armenia Transforms School Safety with FIA’s Road Safety Grant Support
The (FAA) Armenian Automobile Federation , in collaboration with the Armenian Association of the Official Representatives of Automobile Manufacturers (AORA) has launched a school safety initiative to improve road infrastructure near Armenian schools. Supported by the FIA – Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Road Safety Grant Programme, the project began in September 2023 with safety assessments of nearly 40 schools in the cities of Gyumri and Vanadzor, using the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) Star Rating for Schools tool.
After consultations with RA Ministry of Territorial Management and Infrastructure and local self-government bodies, Gyumri Community School No. 24 and Vanadzor Community School No. 10 (now home to “Eureka” school) were selected for targeted safety enhancements.
Initial assessments revealed a 1.5-star rating for Gyumri Community School No. 24 and a 2.3-star rating for Vanadzor Community School No. 10. To address these low ratings, which indicate high safety risks, tailored interventions were introduced at each school. In Gyumri, a pedestrian-activated traffic light was installed, significantly reducing potential hazards, complemented by clear signage and a speed limit reduction to 30 km/h. These efforts boosted the school’s star rating to 5.1 stars. In Vanadzor, similar improvements were implemented on Aghayan Street, where the school is located, including enhanced road markings, additional signage, and a 30 km/h speed limit, raising the school entrance’s star rating to 4.4 stars.
Representatives from the FAA and the AORA emphasized that this initiative is only the beginning, as they aim to expand safety assessments to all schools across Armenia and continuously enhance school safety nationwide. “We are committed to creating safer environments for Armenia’s children. This initiative is a vital step towards ensuring that every school zone in our country is a safe space for students to learn and grow,” said Artyom Petrosyan , FAA’s Road Safety and Mobility Expert.
Original article: https://www.aora.am/en/news/108
Learn more about this project: