The Toyota Road Improvement Project (TRIP), funded by Indus Motor Company Limited (TOYOTA) and executed by NED University of Engineering and Technology, has successfully identified critical urban mobility and road safety challenges in Karachi. This initiative, through collaboration with government agencies, NGOs, private institutions, and academic bodies, has led to sustainable interventions in traffic congestion management, road safety awareness, and emergency response optimization.
A detailed assessment of ten major road segments was conducted to identify congestion bottlenecks. This effort facilitated collaboration between the Traffic Engineering Bureau (TEB), Karachi Development Authority (KDA), and DIG Traffic Office, leading to the designation of two roads as model corridors for targeted improvements. A comprehensive improvement plan for Rashid Minhas Shaheed Road (Johar Mor to Millennium Mall) was developed and submitted. Additionally, the project successfully advocated for human-centric enforcement strategies to manage traffic violations effectively.
In terms of road safety, TRIP designed safer road infrastructure by improving road signs, pavement markings, and pedestrian crossings. School-based road safety awareness programs were launched, engaging institutions such as SET School, HNS School, and Iqra University School System. Collaboration with Bykea allowed road safety training to be integrated into rider communication. University alumni and undergraduate students were mobilized as Road Safety Ambassadors, ensuring sustained community engagement through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Emergency response optimization was another key achievement of the project. TRIP partnered with the EDHI Foundation to enhance ambulance response times by developing a digital job assignment system, replacing the existing manual processes. The initiative also proposed utilizing BRT and dedicated emergency lanes for faster medical response times in critical situations.
The success of TRIP has demonstrated the impact of data-driven research, strategic stakeholder engagement, and sustainable traffic management solutions. However, Karachi’s urban mobility and road safety challenges require continued efforts to expand, sustain, and institutionalize the interventions made under this project. Expanding school-based road safety education to more institutions and introducing structured training programs for ride-hailing, delivery, and public transport operators will be essential. Smart mobility solutions, including real-time traffic monitoring and AI-driven congestion management, need to be implemented, along with strengthened private-sector collaborations and the development of GIS-based road safety maps to identify and mitigate accident-prone areas.
Advancing emergency response systems is also crucial. The full implementation and integration of the digital ambulance dispatch system in emergency services should be prioritized, along with advocating for legislative and policy reforms to introduce emergency lanes in Karachi’s transport planning. Institutionalizing TRIP as a dedicated research and policy center within NED University will ensure the continued innovation of road safety and urban mobility solutions.
Given the strong partnerships established with government agencies, NGOs, and private stakeholders, sustaining and scaling TRIP is critical to Karachi’s future road safety and mobility improvements. With continued funding and support, TRIP has the potential to transform Karachi into a model city for smart urban mobility and road safety in Pakistan. The Toyota Road Improvement Project is not just an initiative—it is a catalyst for sustainable, life-saving transformation.