Project background
The Safe System approach to road safety offers a transformative framework for reducing road trauma by recognising that while human error is inevitable, death and serious injury are not. In line with this vision, Transport Scotland has committed to embedding Safe System thinking across the national road safety landscape as part of its wider goal to achieve the best road safety performance in the world.
Phase 2 of the Safe System Capacity and Capability Study builds directly upon the foundational efforts delivered during Phase 1. The second phase was designed to deepen stakeholder understanding, expand access to high-quality training, and cultivate a more mature Safe System culture across Scotland’s transport and road safety agencies. This work was supported through the development of comprehensive training programmes and the creation of a practitioner-focused Safe System Manual.
This process evaluation forms part of the final phase of the project delivery, assessing both how the programme was implemented and how it has been received by stakeholders and participants.
Rationale
The rationale for Phase 2 was driven by the need to extend and consolidate the initial momentum established during Phase 1. While the earlier phase successfully introduced key stakeholders to Safe System principles, there remained a need for more consistent understanding and application across Scotland’s road safety ecosystem.
Specifically, Transport Scotland recognised the importance of:
- Broadening reach to a wider audience of practitioners;
- Enhancing the capacity of individuals and organisations to apply Safe System thinking in daily practice;
- Creating lasting resources and structures to support cultural change, including a national Safe System Manual; and
- Evaluating delivery processes to ensure accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
As such, Phase 2 was positioned not only to expand technical knowledge but also to foster long-term behavioural and organisational shifts.
Project aims and objectives
The overarching aim of Phase 2 was to embed Safe System principles more deeply and consistently within Transport Scotland and its delivery partners. The specific objectives of the programme included:
- Delivering a high-quality Safe System training programme to a broad cohort of stakeholders;
- Maturing the Safe System culture within Scotland’s road safety organisations;
- Producing and disseminating a practitioner-focused Safe System Manual with contributions from international experts;
- Creating an accessible digital platform for hosting and sharing Safe System guidance; and
- Supporting partners to develop the internal capability needed to drive Safe System practice forward.
These aims were underpinned by a commitment to ensuring that all programme activities aligned with the ethos of shared responsibility, evidence-based practice, and systems thinking.
Key activities within Phase 2 delivery
To meet these aims, the following core activities were delivered as part of Phase 2. These activities were coordinated to ensure that the capacity-building goals were met in both breadth (reach) and depth (impact), to support sustained Safe System practice across Scotland.
Training delivery
- Four weeks of two-day Safe System Foundation courses, delivered to approximately 240 delegates.
- Ten half-day Safe System Principles training sessions, reaching 299 delegates.
Development of the Safe System Manual
- Collaborative creation of a comprehensive guidance manual, drawing on input from national and international experts.
- Dissemination of the manual through an online platform, increasing reach and accessibility.
Cultural Maturity Survey
Deployment and analysis of the Safe System Cultural Maturity Survey across operating companies to understand readiness, strengths, and areas for development.
Evaluation and stakeholder engagement
- Collection of feedback via pre- and post-training surveys
- Stakeholder interviews to explore experiences, reflections, and future needs