Renault-Nissan’s India R&D centre ties up with iCAT

International Centre for Automotive Technology of India (ICAT) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India (RNTBCI) for in-depth data collection of road traffic accidents. Through a data-led intervention, the project aims to reduce traffic fatality by scientifically understanding the factors involved in serious and fatal accidents in India.

Approved by the Department of Heavy Industry, the project will be executed by Accident Data Analysis Centre (ADAC) at ICAT and RNTBCI will support the project with its engineering and technical expertise and training by its global executives on data analysis.

“Renault and Nissan are committed to nurturing a sustainable and safe automotive ecosystem in India. We believe that our collective expertise in the global automotive industry and our association with ICAT will enable us to work towards reducing traffic fatality in India”, said Krishnan Sundararajan, managing director, Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre, India.

In-depth accident data from serious road accidents on selected accident-prone stretches in state highways, urban and semi-urban roads under various types of conditions like weather, environment, traffic, will be collected. The data will further be analysed scientifically using cluster analysis and accident re-creation simulation using advanced technology to identify the contributing factors like human, vehicle and infrastructure.  Two accident-prone stretches in the State of Tamil Nadu and one accident-prone stretch in Delhi-NCR are already identified.

“Analysis outcome and expert suggestions will help in deciding an appropriate action plan to enhance safety and reduce fatalities from road accidents”, added Sundararajan.

According to Dinesh Tyagi, director (Technical), NATRiP and director, International Centre for Automotive Technology of India, “Considering the growing road accident severity rate in India, it is high time to study road accidents with a different and advanced approach. With support from DHI and MoRTH and in collaboration with RNTBCI, ADAC of ICAT initiating this project with an aim to create a database of in-depth data collected from serious road accidents and adequate remedial measures for their prevention. Further, the key findings from this project will be kept in the public domain and shall be useful to various concerned agencies and researchers in the mitigation of road accident mortalities and morbidities.”