Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Hemant Tiwari

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I completed my Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering in 2013. Since then, I have been working in the field of transport planning, traffic engineering, urban mobility, and road safety. Currently, I work as a Transport Specialist at the Office of the Investment Board Nepal, dealing with transport infrastructure development within the country in different investment modality including public-private partnerships. One of the major works involves project development related to mass transit systems (BRT, LRT, MRT) and also exploring the possibility of electric mobility.

With the motto of “Together for Safe & Sustainable Transport System”, we have established Nonprofit Non-Governmental Organization Safe & Sustainable Travel Nepal (SSTN) in 2017. I hold the position of Chairperson since its establishment date and had been working in the research, capacity building, design, awareness, and advocacy within the country. We have been organizing seminars and training sessions through the program. Currently, we along with Nasa Foundation are carrying out the pilot project Star Rating for School in Nepal and I am leading the program. 

I am also engaged as Managing Director at Traffic & Transport Unlimited Solution and Research Director at Aayam Engineering Research & Consultancy; focused on consulting sector in transportation as well as promoting research from the private sector. Apart from this, I also work as Freelance Transport cum Traffic Engineer as well as Road Safety Expert and had been engaged in municipal transport master plan, urban mobility plan, intersection improvement, and formulation of various plan and policies. Talking about the road safety sector, I had been involved as Road Safety Auditor and as Road Safety Campaigner. One of the proud moments is being a Team Member that prepared the National Road Safety Action Plan 2021-2030 for Nepal.

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field?
The research and academic sector are my most loved sectors. Hence I am also involved as Faculty Member (previously full time and currently part-time) at Colleges affiliated with Tribhuwan University since 2013 dealing with transportation subjects. Recently World Bank had launched Road Safety Elective as a Bachelor's course at university, and I am teaching such subjects. I had also been supervising various bachelor and master level thesis/research on transportation Engineering. I also had research papers published in various national and international journals. 

The misconception about Left-Hand Driving and its connection with increased road crashes and fatalities was the triggering factor to be engaged in the road safety sector. I learned this while I was taking my bachelor’s degree. This being an important but ignored factor further motivated me to devote myself to the road safety sector. I initiated my work in this sector as a road designer that prioritizes safety and awareness, spreading the road safety message to different groups and sectors. One major international exposure came into my life when I got the opportunity to enroll in the Delft Road Safety Courses in 2018.  

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area?
The road safety scenario in Nepal is among the worst. With the wide variation on elevation from 50m to 8848m, the road sections are passing through difficult topography. Similarly, being a low-income country, budget is one of the constraints towards safe road infrastructure. The current road safety scenario even reveals the importance of road safety with more than 8 fatalities per 100,000 population (official) and 15 fatalities per 100,000 (WHO). Due to the high registration of motorcycles and it was found that more than one-third of involvement seems to be motorcycles; whereas in urban areas more than three fourth fatalities involve pedestrians and motorcycles. The condition is triggered due to a lack of reliable public transportation. 

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?
SSTN is also youth lead organization with almost all being in the youth category. Todays’ youth are tomorrow's decision-makers and hence youth need to step up. That’s the reason behind our establishment of our NGO. As road crashes are the leading cause of death among youth; youth need to step up, speak up for the fundamental rights on road safety. Just one example, one of my students become Chairman of the Youth Council and he put road safety on his top agenda and start spreading road safety messages. We need to eradicate the traditional thinking on road construction of “More Roads” to “Better Roads” and this is only possible through youth involvement. Youth have the power to change and its starts from an individual and ultimately will lead the change process.  

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety?
I missed the opportunity to join the 2nd World Youth Assembly in Stockholm due to prior commitment but always thinking to contribute to Road Safety and later joined Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety so as to share my experience and knowledge with a team that works for a common target: “Claiming our space for safe, affordable and accessible mobility”.

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities?
Youth Coalition for Road Safety provides a great platform to youth in enriching their knowledge through various capacity-building series. It also provides the opportunity for youth to share their knowledge and motivate others to speak up for road safety and also provides a door for collaboration and partnership in an international platform. This meaningful youth participation has a significant impact. Some collaborative research works, regular webinars, talk programs will further strengthen the meaningful involvement of youth voices. 

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition?
We have heard “2+2=5” so there lies the synergy effect. When we as a group of committed, self-motivated, and influential youth unite, we can create an environment where we need to think globally and act locally. Each country is unique in its problems and solution and hence sharing experiences on lessons learned or successful stories may enrich knowledge to others. 

Let's be a part of this Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety and contribute to road safety and keep #ClaimingOurSpace!