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The Centre has played a vital role in addressing issues such as traffic congestion, traffic safety, parking, impact of climate change on transport infrastructure, scarcity of pavement materials, etc., thereby catalysing the Government’s efforts to bring positive changes in the society and thereby achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Centre also imparts road safety training programs to various road users, engineers, enforcement agencies, hazardous goods drivers, etc. on a regular basis.

NATPAC was one of the pioneer institutions to take up research and consultancy work as early as in the Seventies when no other institution of this kind existed in India. During the past 49 years, it has made significant contributions to R&D activities in all facets of transportation. The research studies are being carried out as per the priority areas identified by the Research Council of the Centre. The research studies of the Centre will help the State in developing a GIS based transportation database for the state, an integrated land use transport model for the major cities in Kerala, measures for enhancing public transport patronage, ITS applications in transportation system, climate resilient transportation infrastructure for regions vulnerable to natural calamities along with identification of evacuation plan. Studies relating to pavement material and bituminous mixes aimed at sustainable construction. The mapping of material required for pavement construction is an ambitious project undertaken by the Centre. Research studies on traffic safety conducted by the Centre aims at innovative projects like surrogate safety assessment and development of crash prediction models. NATPAC is reorienting the R&D activities to fulfill the development needs of the State. The Centre has fostered closer collaboration with the various Government user departments, ensuring that its contributions are duly recognized and valued. A recent example of this recognition is the request from the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala, which entrusted NATPAC with the task of providing technical solutions for alignment options related to Edava Railway Over Bridge (ROB). With its robust infrastructure facilities and technical expertise, the Centre is well prepared to undertake and excel in challenging assignments.

The centre also provides extension services such as Internship and Projects for Ph.D/M.Tech/B.Tech, M.Sc. M.A students, technical lectures to colleges and government agencies, etc. B.Tech, Diploma and ITI Apprentices are given training every year under the Apprenticeship Scheme of Government.

In the area of road safety, NATPAC has been playing a vital role in providing road safety education, awareness and training programs, organizing extension programs for children and teachers in schools, police officials, student police cadets, drivers of vehicles transporting hazardous goods, drivers of auto, taxi, trucks and KSRTC bus etc. The Centre is involved in preparation of the road safety materials for various target groups and provide training to departmental engineers. The Centre also conducts road safety inspection and deals with the preparation of short-term immediate improvement measures for selected crash black spots, impact assessment, engineering measures to ensure road safety. KSCSTE-NATPAC has a MoU with MoRTH and IRC for conducting certified training course on “Road Safety Audit”.