NYC DCAS Adopts FIA Road Safety Index in Partnership With Together for Safer Roads
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global federation for mobility and motor sport and a leader in international road safety initiatives, in partnership with Together for Safer Roads (TSR), announced today that the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has officially adopted the FIA Road Safety Index — a milestone that positions New York City as the first municipal fleet operator worldwide to implement this international framework for evaluating and improving road safety performance.
The announcement was made at the NYC DCAS Annual Equipment and Vehicle Show, held at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and aligns with the broader objectives of the United Nations Global Road Safety Week. The move reinforces New York City’s long-standing commitment to innovation, accountability, and public safety on the roadways.
With nearly 29,000 vehicles — from sanitation trucks and emergency response units to passenger cars and specialty utility vehicles — New York City operates the largest municipal fleet in the United States. Now, by embracing the FIA Road Safety Index, NYC is establishing a global benchmark for operational fleet safety, data-driven performance assessment, and measurable public-sector improvement in road safety standards.
A Global Framework to Measure Local Impact
The FIA Road Safety Index, developed by the FIA with financial support from the FIA Foundation, provides an evidence-based methodology to assess the safety impact of fleet operations. The Index allows organizations to evaluate their “safety footprint,” identify operational gaps, and chart a course for ongoing improvement through data and benchmarking.
More than just a scorecard, the Index offers a long-term strategic framework — integrating aspects such as driver training, vehicle technology, collision reporting, and safety protocols — that can transform how fleets approach road safety. Originally adopted by major global companies, including Amazon, Uber, and Waymo, the Index is now entering a new phase of influence by reaching city governments and public agencies.
According to Louis A. Molina, Commissioner of NYC DCAS, the implementation of the Index aligns directly with the city’s broader safety ambitions.
“Tracking progress, having benchmarks, defining principles, and identifying areas to grow are key components for transforming New York City’s fleet in all capacities — safety being no exception,” said Commissioner Molina. “The pursuit of increased safety for all our vehicle operators and New Yorkers at large fuels our commitment to reflecting on any and all ways to enhance road safety, from refined trainings to new technologies. We are proud to continue our partnership with Together for Safer Roads, and adopt the FIA Road Safety Index to support our citywide fleet safety efforts.”
Keith Kerman, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Fleet Officer at DCAS, added that using the FIA Road Safety Index represents not just innovation, but a fundamental responsibility to public safety.
“As one of the largest fleet operators in the country, we have a duty to lead by example,” said Kerman. “Evaluating our fleet safety efforts using the FIA Road Safety Index is part of our mission to protect our workforce, reduce collisions, and create safer streets for all New Yorkers. This initiative complements our Vision Zero Safe Fleet Transition Plan, which integrates advanced safety features into our vehicles.”
Vision Zero and the Broader Safety Landscape
New York City’s fleet safety efforts have long been guided by its Vision Zero initiative — a multi-agency strategy launched in 2014 to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Under Vision Zero, the city has implemented a host of policies ranging from infrastructure redesign and speed limit enforcement to enhanced training and vehicle safety standards.
The adoption of the FIA Road Safety Index dovetails with these existing programs, reinforcing NYC’s status as a national leader in municipal fleet safety. Importantly, it also demonstrates how municipal governments can leverage global frameworks to local benefit — and set replicable models for others.
“Crashes on U.S. roads cost the economy more than $340 billion annually,” said Peter Goldwasser, Executive Director of Together for Safer Roads. “Transportation-related incidents are the leading cause of workplace deaths, accounting for nearly 40% of occupational fatalities. When organizations prioritize safety, they don’t just commit — they measure, they act, and they improve. NYC’s adoption of the FIA Road Safety Index sets a powerful example for governments and businesses alike.”
Together for Safer Roads, a global NGO focused on improving fleet safety, has partnered with both private and public organizations to expand the reach of the FIA Road Safety Index. With DCAS now on board, the partnership is expected to yield insights, data, and best practices that will benefit fleet managers and policymakers far beyond New York City.
Global Endorsement for Local Leadership
Leaders at the FIA see New York City’s move as a pivotal development in the global push toward safer streets.
“At the FIA, we strongly advocate for road safety as a local and global policy priority — a cornerstone of public health and economic sustainability,” said Willem Groenewald, FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility. “We believe this can only be achieved through long-term commitment and collaboration between governments, institutions, and the public and private sectors. With NYC DCAS implementing the FIA Road Safety Index at the heart of one of the world’s largest urban centers, we are reaching a new milestone in turning this vision into action.”
Groenewald praised the NYC fleet management team, noting that their leadership will “make a lasting difference, creating safer streets across the city.” He also emphasized the importance of municipal engagement, calling it “essential to driving meaningful and sustainable road safety improvements.”
Natalie Draisin, North America Director and United Nations Representative of the FIA Foundation, echoed those sentiments.
“NYC DCAS using the FIA Road Safety Index is a transformative step for public sector leadership and shows a new way for cities to commit to safer fleets,” Draisin said. “By integrating safety into fleet operations, NYC is setting a global benchmark for urban centers committed to protecting their workforce and citizens.”
A Scalable, Data-Driven Future for Safer Roads
The FIA Road Safety Index is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a scalable tool adaptable to fleets of any size, industry, or geography. It provides participating organizations with a clear methodology to evaluate current performance, implement changes, and track progress year-over-year.
The collaboration between FIA, Together for Safer Roads, and DCAS demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships can generate real-world improvements. In New York City, those improvements will soon be visible in how fleets are maintained, how drivers are trained, and how incidents are tracked and analyzed — with the ultimate goal of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the streets.
For cities around the world, NYC’s leadership offers a compelling roadmap.
“New York City is doing more than just adopting a new tool,” said Goldwasser of TSR. “It is showing that meaningful change requires commitment, measurement, and transparency. That’s the future of road safety, and NYC is helping to lead the way.”
As urban centers continue to grapple with rising traffic demands, growing fleets, and urgent safety concerns, initiatives like the FIA Road Safety Index — backed by collaborative public-private efforts — represent a vital step forward. For New York City, the journey toward safer streets has entered a new chapter, one that could influence how municipalities worldwide safeguard their roads for generations to come.