A series of debates on urban transport took place this Wednesday (June 20) in the Auditorium of Rio Ônibus, downtown Rio de Janeiro. This side event to the Rio+20 conference had "Sustainable Urban Transport Saves Lives" as its subject and was organized by EMBARQ Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22 June 2012 (PAHO/WHO) — A series of debates on urban transport took place this Wednesday (June 20) in the Auditorium of Rio Ônibus, downtown Rio de Janeiro. This side event to the Rio+20 conference had "Sustainable Urban Transport Saves Lives" as its subject and was organized by EMBARQ Brazil.
The event discussed how integration of urban planning and transportation planning improves accessibility, saves lives, and protects the environment.
Among the objectives of the conference, the Area Manager for Sustainable Development and Environmental Health at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), Dr. Luiz Augusto Galvão, gave a presentation on the main aspects of and highlighted proposals for the "Decade of Action for Road Safety".
Through the promotion of traffic safety actions, countries will be able to develop interventions that should cut the number of traffic deaths and injuries by 50% over the next 10 years.
Those most affected by traffic accidents are vulnerable road users, who account for up to 70% of deaths in poorer countries and have the least conditions to deal with the costs of traffic-related morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, these are the most disadvantaged social segments, where the population has the least access to emergency care after trauma.
The implementation of sustainable actions that support public transport and urban development improves public health and can reduce the accident rate.
During the event, ways to improve air quality and road safety in the design and operation of bus systems were also discussed.
Founded in 1902, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the world's oldest international public health organization. It works with all countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). For more information on PAHO/WHO, visit www.paho.org.
For more information, please contact:
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