EDITORIAL
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the second issue of IRF CROSSROADS for this year. The past two months have seen incredible effort from the IRF Secretariat in Geneva in bringing you knowledge and expertise and in providing you the opportunity to exchange and connect with others on some very topical issues.
Resilience, data, road safety, recovery and automation have been and will remain high on our agenda and in the sector’s agenda. We staged several launches during the month of March and you will be able to learn all about it in this issue of our newsletter. We are confident these new resources and tools will provide you useful guidance as you tackle the challenges ahead. More will come over the next two months so watch out for our website and social media handles. Stay tuned and stay safe!
Best wishes
Susanna Zammataro
Director General
Policy Making for Data Sharing: New Report Launched
The Sustainable Mobility for All Initiative (SuM4All), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the International Road Federation (IRF) have launched a new report that draws attention to the need for policy guidance for data sharing between public and private sector stakeholders in the transportation sector. The report “Sustainable Mobility: Policy Making for Data Sharing” outlines a comprehensive policy framework with actionable guidance to support the adoption of data sharing to achieve sustainable urban mobility.
IRF launches new Knowledge repository on COVID-19 and Transport
A new, comprehensive knowledge resource centre on COVID-19 and Transport was launched on 4th March by the International Road Federation (IRF) thanks to a grant from the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Transport Research Fund (2020) managed by the High Volume Transport Applied Research Programme (HVT) with funding from UK Aid. The new repository is hosted in the Global Transport Knowledge Partnership (gTKP) portal and has as objective to fast-track access – especially for low-income countries – to knowledge, experience, learning resources and good practices on COVID-19 & Transport.
New Release: Connected and Autonomous Mobility Manifesto
On 11th March, IRF launched the Connected and Autonomous Mobility Manifesto with the aim to provide the basis for discussion to proactively prepare for the mobility revolution that Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) bring to the mobility and transport sector.
The Manifesto summarises the initial discussions around the main challenges identified by the three workstreams guiding the IRF Connected and Autonomous Mobility Committee (CAMC) work: Regulatory framework, Future work and social needs, and Technological innovations. Get your copy!
The Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure kicks off in Tanzania
The Tanzania Minister for Works and Transport, H.E. Eng. Dr Leonard Madaraka Chamuriho, has officially launched the “Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure” project during a dedicated National workshop that took place on 16th March and that brought together for three days key national and international agencies and organisations.
Tanzania is the first country in the world to use the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Ten Step approach.
Investing in Road Networks: A European Perspective
How much are European countries investing in road networks? This new article provides an analysis of European road network expenditures based on data from the IRF World Road Statistics dataset. It shows recent developments from various perspectives (e.g., % of GDP, per capita spend) and advances possible explanations for the observed developments.
UN Road Safety Week: Material and Website Ready
The United Nations Road Safety week will take place this year from 17 to 23 May. The theme of this sixth edition is “Streets for Life #Love30”. The website with all the material is now available and at your disposal. Check it out and sign the open letter!
IRF President addresses UNECE ITC
IRF President, Mr Bill Halkias, joined Ministers, UN officials and the European Commissioner for Transport for the High Level Segment of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee. In an effort to respond to the pandemic, the general theme of the high-level policy segment was “Back to a sustainable future: achieving resilient connectivity for post-COVID-19 sustained recovery and economic growth”. Mr Halkias intervention focused on infrastructure, organisational and financial resilience.
A Novel Material for More Resilient Roads
The International Road Federation, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham (UoB), the University of Auckland (UoA) and the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), is pleased to present on 15th April the 2nd Webinar of the CRISPS Project that will focus on “Fibre Mastic Asphalt Technology – A Novel Material for More Resilient Roads”. Registration is now open.
Making Transport Resilient to Pandemics
What have we learned from the pandemic on how to make the transport systems more resilient but also on the role that active mobility can play? IRF hosted a dedicated webinar on 25th March . Proceedings are now available.
With support from the HVT Programme, TRL has prepared guidelines providing practical guidance for the sector – and for LMICs more specifically – on how to make transport resilient to pandemics.
Digitalisation of Transport Infrastructure: IRF Session at ITF Summit 2021
How are digitalisation and new technologies poised to deliver resilient, efficient and sustainable infrastructure that enables people to thrive and enhances circular economy while ensuring at the same a better built environment? Which are the new business models that will drive change in the way we procure new infrastructure and drive companies to mainstream digital? These are some of the issues IRF and partners will be addressing on 19 May at the ITF Summit.
Road Safety Management: Innovation and Delivery in Developing Countries
Organised by the International Road Federation, RoadSafe, the Prince Michael Awards under the umbrella of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC), this webinar addressed how to innovate country delivery to accelerate the implementation of the Stockholm Declaration and the achievement of the ambitious targets set by the Second Decade of Action. By looking at concrete experiences in different geographies, the webinar offered insights on what is the reality of road safety on the ground, how to better engage at the country level and how to mobilise the resources needed to deliver.
Mobility Management Meeting Webinar
Together with China Highway and Transportation Society (CHTS), TRB, PIARC and Tongji University, IRF hosted the fourth Mobility Management Meeting Webinar. As road crashes remain among the leading causes of death and injuries new solutions are being sought for via innovative safety planning, and management and by turning to technology. Leading road safety experts discussed in this webinar various innovative solutions around the world and shared ideas on improving traffic safety from planning, management to techniques.
Africa’s Response to COVID-19 Impacts on Transport and Mobility
Thanks to a grant from the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Transport Research Fund (2020) managed by the High Volume Transport Applied Research Programme (HVT), the International Road Federation (IRF) and the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety (Global Alliance) have undertaken a review of the impact of the COVID-19 response on transport and mobility in seven countries in Africa: Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. Preliminary findings were presented during a webinar on 29th March.
Transport Innovation for Sustainable Development: A Gender Perspective
Jointly with the World Bank, IRF has contributed to this new compendium from the International Transport Forum. The publication assembles voices from the transport sector that highlight positive examples of how women as transport users can benefit from the innovations that are transforming the transport sector.
Webinar on Safer Roads for Safety of All Road Users
As an integral part of its mission of Road Safety, IRF-IC is planning a Series of Webinars over the coming months, focusing on important aspects of the 5 Es of road safety. The webinar series is on “Road Safety Challenges in India & Preparation of an Action Plan”.
The 3rd Webinar on the subject “Safer Roads for Safety of All Road Users” will take place on 6th April 2021 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM IST. with four very important topics.
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Road Fund Administration of Namibia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ali Ipinge, elected as President of ARMFA
The Chief Executive Officer of the Road Fund Administration (RFA), Mr Ali Ipinge, was recently elected as the President of the African Roads Maintenance Fund Association (ARMFA), to serve for a two-year period, in line with the Statutes of ARMFA.
Mr Ipinge took over the reign from Mr Souleyname Traore, the Managing Director of the Road Maintenance Fund of Guinea, at a ceremonial event held on 12 January 2021 in Conakry, Guinea. Prior to this appointment, Mr Ipinge held the position of ARMFA 2nd Vice President since 23 February 2018.
IBI Group to Lead Consortium on the Delivery of Hyderabad Adaptive Traffic Control System
Global design and technology firm, IBI Group (TSX: IBG), in partnership with Gupta Power Infrastructure Ltd. and Envoys Electronics Pvt. Ltd., has been awarded the tender for implementation of a Unified Adaptive Traffic Signal Control (ATSC) system in the City of Hyderabad, India.
EU Mobility Observatory Survey 2020: How has COVID-19 affected mobility in Europe?
The FIA European Bureau’s annual survey set out to explore changes in people’s mobility habits that have occurred in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the various restrictions applied by European governments. Respondents from seven countries provided information about their mobility behaviour in 2020, which was compared to data from 2019.
High-profile appointment at ARRB
The Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) has made the high-profile appointment of leading engineer Collette Burke to work with the organisation. Dr Burke was the first Chief Engineer for the Australian state of Victoria. Now she will be working for ARRB as an important part of its Road Asset Performance team.
On-demand corporate mobility: are you ready to share your trip with a coworker?
European countries are facing a severe decrease in the use of public transport, with concerns as to the ability to keep physical distance and ride safely, while at the same time private car usage remains high. With the goal to boost shared mobility combined with public transport, a consortium composed of CERTH, FACTUAL, Sant Cugat City Council, Groupito, KTH and Taxiway started to work on a project proposal focused on how we could restore users’ trust in public transport in a pandemic context.
IRF India-Chapter Webinar: Safer Roads for Safety of All Road Users
06 April 2021 – Online
CRISPS Webinar: Fibre Mastic Asphalt Technology – A Novel Material for More Resilient Roads
15 April 2021 – Online
2nd Smart Transport Infrastructures Summit (STIS 2021)
27 – 29 April 2021 – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Managing Traffic Management Systems (TMS) Assets and Resources
06 May 2021 – Online
17 – 23 May 2021 – Online
19 May 2021 – Leipzig, Germany
01 – 04 June 2021 – Montreal, Paris, Singapore
World Transport Convention 2021 (WTC 2021)
15 – 19 June 2021 – Xi’an, China
Southern Africa Transport Conference
05 – 07 July 2021 – Pretoria, South Africa
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