2022 Edition of the IRF World Road Statistics Marks the Beginning of a New Open-data Era

Produced since 1964 by the International Road Federation (IRF), the World Road Statistics have become throughout the years an invaluable reference tool for stakeholders who want to analyse, understand and report on worldwide, regional and national trends and developments in the road sector and beyond. The uniqueness and quality of the IRF WRS data draws on the fact that it is collected annually through a survey administered by the IRF to a solid network of primary statistical sources (National Ministries of Transport, Public Works, Road & Transport Authorities, Statistical Offices, etc.). The collected data then undergoes a thorough process of statistical verification and validation.

While until now data has been sold as a commercial product, with the release of the 2022 edition, data will now be accessible for free through the IRF WRS Data Warehouse platform. “Selling the data was never a profit-making activity for our non-profit Federation, but rather a necessity to cover the significant annual cost of producing this piece of work which serves our sector and beyond” said Susanna Zammataro, IRF Director General at the launch ceremony hosted during the IRF Conference staged in Marrakech.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Senior Vice President Citizenship Engagement & General Delegate of the TotalEnergies Foundation commented “Youth is at the core of TotalEnergies Foundation and there cannot be a sustainable future if young people keep on dying massively on our roads. In this regard, we are committed to support IRF’s initiative, to help the development and implementation of evidence-based road safety policies and measures and to support the work of regional road safety observatories around the world”.

“The Michelin Corporate Foundation backs projects which are leading the way towards a more sustainable mobility. Through data driven solutions, we believe we can make a difference and positively impact the life of so many people around the world. We are proud to work with the IRF and to contribute through the new open data policy of the IRF World Road Statistics to the efforts striving to deliver a better mobility for all” commented Forrest Patterson the Michelin Corporate Foundation Director.

This 59th annual edition of the IRF World Road Statistics includes the latest data covering the years 2015 to 2020. It includes over 200 road and transport-sector related indicators across 11 sections, covering more than 200 countries and territories (worldroadstatistics.org).