24h Road Safety Hackathon

A hackathon is an intensive event where diverse teams collaborate to develop innovative solutions to real-life challenges within a short timeframe. Combining creativity, technology, and mentorship, participants create new ideas and prototypes. Hackathons are open to everyone, not just professionals or students.

The 24h Road Safety Hackathon is the first event of its kind in the Baltics, organized by the Latvian state joint stock company "Road Traffic Safety Directorate" (CSDD). This 24-hour event is dedicated to enhancing road safety by bringing together multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities and improving road safety across Latvia. The event aspires to establish an annual tradition, the Baltic 24-hour Road Safety Day, encouraging public participation in addressing critical road safety challenges.

The hackathon aims to:

• Create solutions for reducing road fatalities.

• Encourage public involvement in road safety initiatives.

• Establish an annual Baltic 24-hour Road Safety Day.

Teams can be formed during registration by indicating it on the form (each participant must submit their own registration). New teams will also be formed on the first day of the hackathon, November 15, during the team matching session.

The hackathon will take place from November 15 to 17, 2024, at the Riga Motor Museum in Riga, Latvia. Registrations are open until November 8, 2024.

The event is open to students, researchers, industry experts, NGOs, local community activists, and other interested individuals who want to contribute to road safety innovation. With a focus on international collaboration, the event will be conducted in English, welcoming participants from across the Baltics and beyond.

No, participation in the 24h Road Safety Hackathon is free of charge, including an entry ticket to the Riga Motor Museum, meals, and other event provisions.

In the registration form, you can specify your team status by selecting one of the following options:

• "I have a team (full)"

• "I have a team, open for additional members"

• "Solo captain looking for team members"

• "Individual participant looking for a team to join"

On the first day of the event, November 15, a team matching session will be held where individual participants and solo captains can find teammates. Teams looking for specific skills will also have the chance to connect with participants who meet their needs.

Participants will receive guidance from experienced mentors specializing in road safety, data analysis, design thinking, and prototyping, along with access to essential statistical data and research. These experts will help teams develop feasible, impactful, and sustainable solutions, enhancing the quality and potential of their projects.

The hackathon spans 2.5 days, but continuous attendance is not required. Teams and captains should attend key activities, such as mentor meetings and workshops (e.g., the Prototyping workshop). Participants can leave each evening, and details about on-site napping options will be provided during the event.

It will be possible to stay overnight with limited access to the museum during 22:00-8:00. You can use the premises for working all night, and use exits. At the location, there is no dedicated sleeping zone, each participant is responsible for their own comfort during night hours.

Yes, food and snacks will be provided throughout the hackathon. Snacks will be available all day, with warm meals served on the evening of the 15th, twice on the 16th, and on the 17th. Vegan and vegetarian options will be included.

Ideas will be evaluated based on the following six criteria:

1. Innovation: Introducing new, creative, or unconventional approaches to road safety.

2. Progress: The development level achieved during the hackathon, from concept to prototype, with a clear path forward.

3. Feasibility: Practical implementation potential, including technical and logistical aspects, with measurable impact on traffic safety.

4. Accident Reduction: The potential to significantly reduce serious and fatal accidents, improving safety for all road users.

5. Scalability: The solution’s adaptability across regions and user groups for broader application.

Each team will have 3 minutes to present their solution. The format is flexible, allowing teams to choose how to present—whether through slides, a video, a demonstration, or any other method.

All ideas developed during the hackathon belong to the team. The hackathon organizers, partners and mentors do not claim any ownership of the ideas and solutions. If the team chooses to continue developing the idea after the hackathon, the team members are responsible for agreeing on further cooperation among themselves.

The prize fund includes awards for the top three teams:

1st Place: €3,000

2nd Place: €2,000

3rd Place: €1,000

These amounts are pre-tax, in accordance with Latvian regulations. Additionally, sponsors will offer special prizes.

Yes, just one laptop per team is enough. Just bring your charger. We will bring an extension cord for each team.

It is advised to have one team member responsible for presentation and slides and one speaker, it can be the same person, but can also be different. We will have team matching today at 20:00, if you feel that your team would benefit from extra set of hands, look forward to it.

Also make sure you visit our MIRO board, if you have a team or are looking for team members, just add comment to the team matching area.

You' ll receive it at the entrance!

You'll receive a badge, a ticket and if you want to acquire a certificate from RTU you can scan a code at the registration desk (n.b. certificate takes few weeks to process).

The two most optimal ways are by public transport or taxi.

You can also use Bolt app or Mobilly for public transport tickets or buy physical tickets at Narvesens kiosk.

Yes, you can use the parking lot that is closer to the CSDD building.

Friday around 21:00 and Saturday around 19:00, but it is possible to stay longer, Sunday around 15:00.