An Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project is optimising the safety for the road connecting Uliastai to Altai in Mongolia, reducing predicted fatal and serious injuries by 51.7% and delivering 4- and 5-star safety outcomes.

The US$158 million Regional Road Development and Maintenance – Phase 3 Project for the Government of Mongolia aims to promote inclusive economic growth by upgrading key sections of the state road network, improving road safety, asset management and the climate resilience of two critical routes – Uliastai-Altai (198 km) and Khovd-Ulaangom (163 km). The improvements are vital in connecting Mongolia’s western aimag capitals to its major east-west corridors linking the country to the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

As part of the project, Kocks Consult GmbH tasked iRAP with evaluating the safety of the proposed road upgrade design for a 140.8 km section of the Uliastai-Altai route using the iRAP Star Ratings methodology.

The analysis builds on a baseline assessment of the existing road performed in 2023, enabling before and after safety analysis.

The incorporation of iRAP assessment recommendations to the  design showed impressive improvements in road safety:

Increased safety for vehicle occupants and motorcyclists through road paving and widening, implementation of roadside barriers, improved delineation with advance warning signs and markers installed at significant curves, safer roadside conditions, and effective speed management at critical locations.
A 51.7% reduction in predicted fatal and serious injuries (FSIs) – preventing an estimated 118 FSIs over 20 years.
The safety Star Rating increased dramatically. Whilst the existing road is predominantly 1-2 stars (very high risk), 100% of the upgrade design length achieves a 4-star or better safety rating for vehicle occupants (including 83% at the highest 5-star safety rating). For motorcyclists, 96% of the design length achieves a 4-star safety rating, 2.1% achieves a 5-star safety rating, and 2.1% achieves a 3-star safety rating.
Exceeds the minimum 3-star safety rating required by both the ADB and United Nations’ Global Road Safety Performance Target 3.

Published Date:2026-04-13