New technologies are redefining our daily lives, and their impact on road safety is highly beneficial. With the emergence of intelligent solutions such as driver assistance systems, connected cars and digital assessment tools, technology is now a lever in the fight against road accidents. These innovations not only make it possible to prevent human error, the main cause of death on the roads, but also to transform driver training and road infrastructure management. So it’s hardly surprising that these technologies featured prominently at the fourth International Conference on Road Safety, held in Marrakech from 18 to 20 February. Rafiq El Alami, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Digital Innovation at UM6P, outlined the innovative projects being carried out by his team, including the Smart Driving Test Car. ‘Le Matin’ caught up with him on the spot to discuss his participation in the event, the importance of technology for road safety, and above all the results of the research carried out at the Digital Innovation Centre of Excellence.
Rafiq El Alami: The central idea of my talk is the essential role of new technologies in reducing the risks associated with accidents and how they can help to improve road safety in general. This type of event is an ideal opportunity for researchers to keep abreast of the latest advances and trends in the sector and to share the results of their research. It’s also a great opportunity to make connections with government representatives, international organisations, associations and industry. This allows them to identify opportunities for collaboration, explore new research topics, and propose innovative solutions to concrete problems. These exchanges are crucial, particularly in the field of innovation.
How can new technologies help to improve road safety in Morocco?
Today, around 94% of road accidents worldwide are caused by human error, such as speeding, failure to obey traffic lights or inattention when using the telephone. That said, by developing driver assistance technologies, it is possible to significantly reduce these human errors. Examples include blind spot warning systems, lane departure warnings, and collision avoidance technologies, which are already in use and saving lives. Today, many cars are equipped with these assistance technologies, helping to prevent accidents and save lives.
Are you carrying out any research projects along these lines at the Digital Innovation Centre of Excellence (DICE) that you manage?
At DICE, we are leading a connected car project, the Smart Driving Test Car. This project is the fruit of collaboration between Narsa and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. Its aim is to bring greater transparency and objectivity to the process of assessing candidates’ practical skills during the driving test to obtain a driving license. This project complements the Narsa initiative, which has replaced the theory test with a computer-based examination. The assessment of practical aptitude by the smart driving test car will underline the importance of high-quality training for drivers. Better driver training has a direct impact on road safety. To date, there are only two cars of this type in the world: one in the United Arab Emirates and ours, which was entirely designed and manufactured in Morocco. This project is a model of innovation that is 100% Moroccan and a real source of pride for our country.
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