Context And Development Of An Instrument For Quality Assessment And Guidance For Local Road Safety Policymaking In Flanders, Belgium

Abstract

This paper describes the context for and the development of an instrument that enables Flemish local (road safety) policymakers to raise their organization and performances to a higher level of quality management. The tool is developed in response to recent Flemish legislation that emphasizes the need for more sustainability, a reduction in the level of road-casualties and that calls on more assistance, guidance and support for local mobility policymaking. Starting from the widespread Total Quality Management-philosophy, from an analysis of widely applied instruments and models in the domain of quality management and from international best practices and authoritative road safety policy plans; the conceptual model of an innovative guiding instrument has been developed. Based on general management theory, local road safety policymaking has been thoroughly analysed and key components (both managerial and technical) have been identified. Using standardized questionnaires, the tool enables officials to position their performance with regard to a ‘ladder of development’ and to pinpoint where their future points of attention lay. Based on this self-assessment procedure, local officials receive recommendations and examples of good practices, allowing them to hype up their level of performance. When compared to its predecessors and the instruments currently in use, this tool constitutes a significant added value due to its well-underpinned, process-oriented and objective character. Although the instrument is generated for use in local Flemish administrations, it can easily be adjusted to other regions thanks to its generic nature. The tool is in its final stage of development and is rigorously being tested.