To promote the development of roads and road networks that enable access and sustainable mobility for all.
Newsletter – June 2020
EDITORIAL
Dear Reader,
I hope this new issue of the IRF CROSSROADS newsletter finds you and colleagues in good health.
These have been hectic months for all of us trying to adjust to the “new normal” and to plan for the months to come despite having little certainty on what the future will look like. One thing though seems sure: the future will be “connected” in many different ways. The numerous events, initiatives and partnership which have seen the day over the past weeks and months testify the tremendous solidarity that reins in our sector and the resilience of our transport community.
We are all aligned around the “Build back better” vision and movement and ready to give our contribution to shape more inclusive and sustainable transport networks and societies. It would be impossible to cover in this space the whole host of valuable initiatives being undertaken. You will find in this edition a short overview of some of IRF’s activities and those of our members and partners. We invite you to follow us on our social media handles to keep abreast of developments.
For some of us summer holidays are just around the corner but IRF will continue to offer experts’ insights, training opportunities, webinars and more to help policymakers, business leaders and others build back better in ways that our planet and our society can afford.
Warm regards to everyone.
Susanna Zammataro
IRF Director General
SuM4All receives prestigious 2020 World Bank Award
Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All) received the prestigious Vice Presidency Award as one of the most outstanding activities in the World Bank’s Infrastructure Group in 2020. The award, normally granted to Bank-financed projects and knowledge work, specifically recognizes the coalition’s unique value as a multi-stakeholder partnership, and its growing influential contribution to the World Bank’s work, including transport projects. IRF is proud to actively contribute to the success of this unique initiative.
The IRF Africa Board discusses priorities for Africa
Meeting on 15 June via video conference, the IRF Africa Board took stock of the impact that Covid-19 has had on the transport sector in Africa and discussed priorities going forward. Opening up the meeting, IRF President, Bill Halkias stressed that IRF is determined to ensure that Africa stays on the radar and receives adequate support in the difficult months to come.
IRF World Road Statistics: a unique opportunity to profile
The International Road Federation will release the 57th edition of its World Road Statistics, covering data from 2013-2018, early September 2020. A selected number of sponsorship opportunities are now available and will provide you free access to our data and a unique chance to profile.
SAVE THE DATE – IRF Young Professionals Summit on 30th September
The IRF Young Professionals programme, with the support of YOURS , will have its dedicated summit on 30th September. The summit will gather young leaders from all over the world who advocate for better, safer, and more sustainable roads and mobility solutions. Participants will have the possibility to hear project experiences, lessons learned, and working tips related to the mobility sector. Share this event over social media using the hashtag #IRF-YPSummit!
Proceedings of the 1st IRF & SATC Webinar are now available !
Southern African Transport Conference (SATC) and the International Road Federation (Geneva) are hosting a serie of webinars that will unpack local and international perspectives on transport and Covid-19. The next Webinar will take place on 12th August 2020. Recordings and Presentations of the first Webinar, held on 10th June, are now available.
The Belt and Road International Transport Alliance (BRITA) 2020 virtual board meeting was held on 9th June announcing the formal establishment of its Strategic Advisory Committee, Board of Directors, Technical Committees, and Secretariat. As Board member, IRF (Geneva) will be serving as Chair of the Sustainable Transport Committee and equally support the Secretariat and the Advisory Committee.
The International Road Federation (Geneva) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) are co-leading a new work stream on data sharing within the Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All) initiative led by the World Bank. This new piece of work looks specifically at addressing the issue of policy making for enabling data sharing in urban mobility. The interim report on this new work stream co-led by the IRF and WBCSD was presented on 2nd June at the Sustainable Mobility for All Virtual Consortium Meeting.
The United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) group continues the series of on-line meetings to prepare action for furthering the road safety agenda. On the plenary hosted on 30th June, Total Foundation and Panos Mylonas – two IRF Members – were appointed as new members of the collaboration.
Movin’On from Michelin achieved the goal of bringing on-line thousands of people together to maintain the innovation momentum that the annual Summit creates, to reconnect with the year-round work on the future of mobility, and to honour the brightest talents via the Startup challenge.
Register to on-line courses on Corporate Sustainability and Reporting
The International Road Federation (IRF) in Geneva and the Centre for Sustainability Excellence are pleased to join hands to allow IRF members and partners to access two new on-line certified professional courses at preferential rates.
In November 2019, the EIB’s Board of Directors approved a new level of ambition for the EIB towards climate action and environmental sustainability.The EIB now needs to turn this ambition into reality and is consulting key stakeholders to accompany it in developing its “Climate Bank Roadmap 2021-2025” – that will guide this transition. Speaking on behalf of the road sector, IRF was able to share its views and outline key priorities for the sector.
New Webinar: Transportation Management Center Performance Dashboards
The TMC PFS and FHWA jointly sponsored the development of the TMC Performance Dashboard technical report. This report highlights issues to consider and successful practices to support agencies planning, designing, developing, assessing, and using dashboards as they manage and explore opportunities to improve the performance of their TMCs. A webinar will be hosted on 21 July to present – in between others – how these dashboards can be used to assess and improve operations.
Join us from anywhere and listen to our short and informative webinars not taking longer than 30 minutes. SWARCO experts give you insight in latest products, technologies and solutions that improve the quality of life of all people on the move. You can access the full schedule for our forthcoming Innovation Talks and register directly on Swarco website.
VIA road safety awareness programme awards students
The VIA road safety awareness program hosted an on-line ceremony on 29 June to award winning teams of students who participated in road safety posters competition. The programme was recently attended by roughly 320 students in 19 Production Schools throughout France. The program’s innovative learning methods rely on discussion and creativity workshops to help change behavior.
#ClaimingOurSpace Live! Watch back and get ready for the Coaliton
On June 3rd, YOURS was live on Facebook for #ClaimingOurSpace Live! 5 young leaders were heard about the action taken for road safety in their communities in unprecedented times. The live also announced the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety to be launched in early July!
Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety : new website and Annual Report 2019
Check out the Alliance new website , launched this month. On this website , you will find resources and stories about the Alliance and its NGOs. It will assist your work for safer roads. The latest Annual Report , with highlights from 2019, is also now available.
The EASST Road SafetyEducation Pack is a global teaching resource that provides stimulating and engaging activities to introduce road safety messages and behaviours to kids. The pack has been developed in co-operation with our EASST Partners as well as highly experienced road safety experts including the UK Government’sThink! Campaign. It has been tailored to reflect the risks, challenges, and conditions in low and middle-income countries.
Take advantage of a whole range of services including the IRF World Road Statistics (2020), other IRF publications and preferential registration rates for upcoming IRF events!
