Bengaluru September 26, 2024:The SIAM-SAFE Technical Conference 2024, held in Bengaluru under the theme “Smart Mobility: Integrating Safety with Sustainability”, brought together key government officials, industry leaders, and experts to discuss advancements in vehicle technology, road safety, and sustainable fuels. Organized by the Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), a SIAM initiative, the event aimed to chart the future of mobility in India, integrating safety, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology.
Key Highlights:
- Inaugural Session:
- Mr. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, emphasized the role of smart mobility in enhancing safety through technological advancements, while aligning efforts with the UN Decade of Action Plan for road safety. He stressed the importance of collaboration among government, industry, and the communityto meet India’s road safety goals.
- Chief Guest Mr. B Dayanand, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City, called for heightened road safety measures in India, pointing out that every road fatality is preventable. He urged for better education of the younger generation and encouraged industry to develop technological solutions, such as mandatory safety features like helmets and seatbelt use to enhance road safety.
- Guest of Honour Mr. V Anbukumar, IAS, Managing Director, KSRTC, highlighted the modernization of Karnataka’s public transport network, with a focus on innovation and the adoption of advanced designs to cater to the evolving needs of commuters.
- Mr. C Mallikarjun, Addl. Transport Commissioner, Govt. of Karnataka, shared Dr. Shalini Rajneesh's(Chief Secretary, Karnataka) message outlining the state’s comprehensive road safety plan, backed by a ₹225 crore budget. The plan includes infrastructure improvements, intelligent traffic systems, and road audits to reduce road fatalities by 50% by 2030.
- Sessions on Emerging Technologies and Sustainable Mobility:
- The first session, chaired by Mr. D Balakrishnan, VP (R&D), Ashok Leyland, focused on vehicular technology advancements. Key presentations included:
- Mr. Anil Kumar from Tata Motors on BNCAP and safety awareness.
- Mr. R Babu from Ashok Leyland on technology for two-wheeler safety.
- Mr. Subrata Mitra from Ather Energy on the 2W perspective of vehicular technology.
- The second session, chaired by Mr. Alok Jaitley, VP, Maruti Suzuki, focused on sustainable fuels, with insights from Indian Oil Corporation on hydrogen fuel cells, and Reliance Industries on the future of hydrogen in transport.
- The third session on Circularity and End-of-Life Vehicle Management, chaired by Mr. Harjeet Singh, Executive Advisor (Technical), Hero MotoCorp, addressed vehicle lifecycle management, tyre recycling, and OEM responsibility toward circularity. Regulatory frameworks for end-of-life vehicles and safety standards were also discussed.
- Key Messages from Industry Leaders:
- Mr. Sushant Naik, President of SAFE and Global Head (Government & Corporate Affairs), Tata Motors, highlighted the importance of emerging technologies like AI, ML, and Big Data in building intelligent transport systems that enhance road safety and sustainability.
- Mr. Bhagwan K Bindiganavile, EVP, VE Commercial Vehicles, reiterated the critical connection between road safety and sustainability, urging the industry to prioritize technology solutions that protect citizens and the environment. He emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to foster safe driving habits.
- Future Vision for Sustainable Mobility: SIAM and its members continue to focus on promoting electrification, ethanol-based transportation, recycling, safety initiatives, and gas-based mobility, as well as fostering a hydrogen fuel ecosystem in India. These efforts aim to align with the nation’s sustainability goals and promote safer mobility.
Conclusion:
The conference concluded with a strong sense of collaboration between the government and industry experts, addressing India’s future mobility needs. Discussions centered around integrating safety with sustainability, leveraging advanced technology, and fostering a culture of responsible mobility through collective action.
This conference reaffirmed SIAM’s commitment to driving smart, safe, and sustainable mobility solutions, aligned with India’s vision of Building the Nation Responsibly.
