Dr. Kunal Parmar
IIHMR University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Abstract Title: Behavioral Change, Mindset Shifts, and Sustained Practice: A Before–After Mixed-Methods Study on Continuous Behavioral Reinforcement for Road Safety in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Biography: Dr. Kunal Parmar is a public health professional affiliated with IIHMR University, Jaipur. His work focuses on behavioral change, road safety, and community-based health interventions. He has led field research studies examining behavioral determinants and public-health risk reduction models in urban settings. His academic interests include mixed-methods research, injury prevention, and scalable behavioral interventions for public service improvement.
Research Interest: Road safety in India continues to be shaped not only by infrastructural limitations but also by persistent behavioral and cognitive barriers among road users. Despite Indore’s reputation for civic innovation, the city continues to experience preventable road traffic accidents linked to non-compliance with fundamental safety norms. To respond to these behavioral determinants, the Traffic Mitra Abhiyaan introduced a structured, community-anchored model grounded in positive reinforcement and peer-led behavioral guidance. This study investigates how continuous behavioral reinforcement influences psychological readiness, decision-making patterns, and rule-adherence practices among road users. A before–after mixed-methods design was employed, integrating quantitative assessments of behavioral indicators with qualitative inquiry into perception shifts, motivational drivers, and lived experiences. Findings indicate that consistent engagement through Traffic Mitras—supported by empathetic interactions and the repeated visibility of safe behaviors—cultivates a more disciplined, risk-averse mindset among commuters. The intervention is associated with strengthened compliance, reduced impulsive or habitual risky actions, and an overall improvement in the road traffic risk profile of the study area. By generating empirical evidence grounded in a grassroots behavioral model, this study demonstrates how sustained, community-centric interventions can reshape urban traffic culture and provides a scalable pathway for road-safety reform across India.