TERMS OF REFERENCES BELARUS Strategic risk assessment across the strategic road network TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 2 2. OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................ 3 3. SCOPE OF THE WORK .............................................................................................................. 5 3.1. Inception phase ............................................................................................................. 5 3.2. Implementation Phase ................................................................................................... 7 Strategic risk assessment ......................................................................................................... 7 Stakeholder Engagement ......................................................................................................... 8 Training ................................................................................................................................... 8 3.3. Completion phase ......................................................................................................... 9 4. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS ................................................................................ 9 Assumptions underlying the Assignment intervention ............................................................ 9 5. DELIVERABLES ........................................................................................................................ 10 6. PROPOSAL AND CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS ....................................................... 10 Page 1 of 13 1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“the EBRD” or “the Bank”) is a major investor in the improvements of public transport systems in its countries of operations. It is committed to assisting the developing transport systems with a key focus towards efficient, safe and environmentally and socially sustainable operations. Road Safety is an integrated and important part of the road infrastructure. Deaths and injuries from road vehicle crashes are a major and growing public health epidemic. Each year 1.3 million people die and a further 50 million are injured or permanently disabled in road crashes. Road crashes are now the leading cause of death for children and young people aged between 10 and 24. The economic and social burden of road crashes is estimated to be 1-3% of the world’s GDP. Across all EBRD countries of operations for the year in question, WHO estimates that there were nearly 85,000 deaths resulting from road traffic collisions with approximately 850,000 serious road injuries. Belarus road sector also faces the following main challenges: (a) Road safety performance is significantly lower than the EU average. Recurring losses are undoubtedly inhibiting the economic and social development of the country. Traffic accidents therefore result in considerable human and economic losses, thus creating problems both for development and public health. Furthermore, victims are often pedestrians and cyclists in communities along the main arterial roads, which are the main focus for IFI support. Vulnerable road users account for around 45% of all fatalities nationally. There is therefore considerable scope and opportunity for improvement of road safety in Belarus (b) The key factors that contribute to the poor road safety records are: (i) roads are rehabilitated in existing alignments with numerous access roads and junctions, lacking safety features and facilities for vulnerable road users; (ii) careless driving behaviour; and (iii) ineffective enforcement of traffic laws and regulations. Notwithstanding the behavioural and institutional issues, it is critical to improve the physical features of the roads to reduce the likelihood and severity of crashes. The current regulatory framework and requirements for road design and construction need to be improved. In particular, current design practices do not include a systematic road safety review. Therefore, in accordance with the principles of EU Road Safety directive, independent road safety audits should be required for most new construction, but also for road rehabilitation and upgrade projects. This approach should provide opportunities to improve the geometric design of roads and to incorporate specific features for improved road safety. Road network in Belarus The strategic geographical location of Belarus places the country on Pan-European transport corridors II and IX. Minsk is located at crossroads of the key transport corridors, connecting Western Europe with Russia, Central Asia and China and the regions of the Black Sea with the Baltics. 2 The road network in Belarus is 86,895 km, which is split between 15,917 km are national (republican) roads (including motorways of around 3,080 km) and 70,978 km local roads. The Bank wishes to address road safety issues more systematically at national level and integrate road safety into the future projects. For this purpose the Bank wishes to engage a Road Safety Consultant (“the Consultant”) to carry out a strategic risk assessment across the strategic road network (based on IRAP or equivalent form of analysis) and production of detailed road safety analysis reports including identification of mitigation measures and investment plans across all identified high risk segments (the “Assignment”). The Ministry of Transport and Communications (“MoT”) has overall responsibility for the transport policy and strategy in Belarus. The MoT through its Road Administration Department (“GUAD”) is the national authority in charge of road construction and maintenance in Belarus. RUE Minskatodor-Centr, a subordinated MoT organization, will act as the “Client” and will have the overall responsibility for the implementation of the proposed Assignment. 2. OBJECTIVES The ultimate long-term objective is less fatalities and serious injuries caused by road accidents in Belarus, starting with safer conditions on road sections funded by EBRD and eventually on all roads in Belarus. This Assignment will also contribute to the overall objectives of the related investment projects, which are: Improving safety of road infrastructure and operations on the core network of Belarus; Improving connectivity between the EU and Eastern neighbouring countries; 3 Promoting socio-economic development in Belarus; Specific objectives of this Assignment: Implementation of strategic risk assessment across the strategic road network (based on IRAP or equivalent form of analysis) and production of detailed road safety analysis reports including identification of mitigation measures and investment plans across all identified high risk segments. Strategic Risk Assessment will primary focus on motorways (list below), but will be subject to approach suggested by the Consultant and approved by the Bank and the Client to most effectively address the objectives. The total length of the network to be covered by the strategic risk assessment will be finalised and confirmed at the Inception phase (based on cost per km). Highway Route Length Border of Poland at Brest – Minsk to border with Russia (onto 611 km (380 mi) Moscow) Minsk – Minsk International Airport 34 km (21 mi) Minsk – Vitebsk 253 km (157 mi) Minsk – Smilovichi – Chervyen' – Berezino – Mogilev 182 km (113 mi) Minsk – Gomel 282 km (175 mi) Minsk – Lida – Hrodno to the border with Poland 262 km (163 mi) Minsk – Border with Lithuania at Kammeny Log 139 km (86 mi) Border with Russia at Ezerische via Vitebsk, Orsha, Mogilev, 456 km (283 mi) and Gomel to border with Ukraine at Nowa Huta Ring road around Minsk 56 km (35 mi) Border with Russia – Gomel – Kalinkavichy – Pinsk – Kobryn 526 km (327 mi) Border with Lithuania at Benyakoni – Lida – Slonim – 186 km (116 mi) intersection with P2 near Byten 4 Kobryn – border with Ukraine at Mokrany 55 km (34 mi) Outer ring road around Minsk 160 km (99 mi) 3. SCOPE OF THE WORK The consultant is requested to specify the approach/methodology and activities to implement the tasks below including the review of existing information and data, assess training needs, prepare and implement relevant activities, and produce the defined outputs and contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives. The consultant contracted for the Assignment will perform all activities in close cooperation with the Client and other stakeholders active in the road safety in Belarus and wherever possible, will have counterparts from relevant Belarusian stakeholders directly involved in developing and overseeing the implementation of the interventions. Initially, the activities will focus on reviews and identification of key issues and challenges in the field of safety conditions of the motorways, traffic and accident data, management and legislation, procedures and organisational setup. Liaison and discussions with beneficiaries and other stakeholders will then form the basis for a review of the detailed outputs, activities and time schedules for this Assignment. The concrete activities will also need to be carried out in close partnership with other donors active in the field of road safety in Belarus and with public/private entities dealing with road planning, design, implementation and operation. The Consultant will carry out the following specific tasks: 3.1. Inception phase 3.1.1. Identify, meet and liaise with all