Javiera Quijada, a Project Manager at the Automóvil Club de Chile (ACCHI), is making waves in the field of mobility and road safety.
With a focus on impactful initiatives, she leads diverse projects that aim to improve safety on Chilean roads. Her responsibilities span planning and coordination, securing funding, and ensuring project goals are met. A significant milestone in her career was securing €210,000 to bolster road safety efforts. Additionally, Javiera has spearheaded research studies, including one that gathered insights from over 3,000 participants, shaping policies and interventions to enhance road safety. Another key part of her work involves fostering international partnerships to align with global best practices.
By staying connected to cutting-edge developments in road safety, Javiera ensures that ACCHI’s projects reflect both local needs and international standards.
A Passion for Protecting Vulnerable Road Users
Javiera’s journey into road safety stems from a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Her dedication is particularly evident in her focus on school zone safety.
“The idea that the work I do could directly help save lives, especially children’s lives, is incredibly motivating,” she says. Recognizing children as some of the most vulnerable road users, Javiera’s initiatives aim to create safer routes to school, providing peace of mind for families and laying the foundation for safer communities.
Leveraging SR4S for Data-Driven Advocacy
Javiera’s experience with the Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) tool has been instrumental in her work. She praises its user-friendly design and evidence-based results, which have been pivotal in shaping interventions and advocacy strategies.
“The clear, actionable data from SR4S allows us to make informed decisions on interventions that reduce risk,” Javiera explains. By presenting robust evidence, she has been able to strengthen proposals and secure buy-in from stakeholders and policymakers. Her background in research has further amplified the impact of SR4S data, ensuring that projects are both strategic and effective.
A Vision for Safer School Zones in Chile
Javiera’s aspirations for school road safety in Chile are ambitious. She envisions a future where every child can travel to and from school safely, with accidents and fatalities in school zones minimized to nearly zero. By leveraging SR4S and the school road safety programmes at the Automóvil Club de Chile, Javiera strives to advocate for the nationwide implementation of comprehensive safety measures in all school zones.
Her ultimate goal is to influence national policy, making road safety a cornerstone of urban planning and school infrastructure. “It’s about creating a framework where safety is prioritized, not just for today but for generations to come,” Javiera says.
With her passion, expertise, and dedication, Javiera is driving change that promises a brighter and safer future for Chile’s youngest road users.
Javiera Quijada (far left) at the launch of school road upgrades (Image credit: Javiera Quijada)
Javiera Quijada (center) engaging in a discussion about the project with her colleagues at ACCHI (Image credit: Javiera Quijada)
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