NEWSLETTER N°89
July and August 2020

Dear colleagues and friends,

The Strategic Plan is a document that guides PIARC's activities for a four-year period. Our 2020-2023 plan was approved in October 2019.

This important document has recently been updated to reflect the adjustments that had been proposed by our newly created Technical Committees and Task Forces. When the latter met for their kick-off meetings in Paris in January and February, they were able to review their terms of reference and their various objectives and milestones, and propose adjustments, if necessary. These proposals were then discussed internally, with high-level experts such as our Strategic Theme Coordinators and with the Strategic Plan Commission [...]

>> Read more

(Re)discover the webinars on COVID-19 and roads 

In an effort to quickly share information on the actions taken by road and transport administrations during this crisis, PIARC's COVID-19 response team is organizing a series of webinars for practitioners and experts. They can share their experiences, knowledge and some of the most effective responses that are emerging regarding COVID-19.

Twenty webinars have been held to date. More than 900 participants from 60 different countries have attended these webinars, with more than 70 presenters from 30 different countries, highlighting the global reach and relevance of PIARC.

>> (Re)discover the webinars here

PIARC participated in the III Iberoamerican Congress of ITS 

June 1-3, 2020

The Technical Director of PIARC, Miguel Caso Flórez, participated in the III Iberoamerican Congress of ITS, presenting the work developed by PIARC in the field of Road Network Operations and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

>> Read his presentation here (in Spanish)

PIARC Advisory Group Meeting - Road Sector Actions and COVID-19 Pandemic Response 

May 26, 2020

The PIARC Advisory Group meets once or twice a year to discuss the Association's recent activities with invited international organizations and to address emerging issues and trends in the road sector. 

The last meeting was held on 26 May 2020 and focused on activities related to COVID-19 and the impact of the pandemic on the road sector.

>> Read more

PIARC thanks the 1,200 experts of the 2016-2019 work cycle! 

1,200 experts participated in the work of PIARC in the 22 Technical Committees and Task Forces of the 2016-2019 work cycle of PIARC, as members, corresponding or associate members, secretaries and committee chairs. Some of them are continuing their mission in the new cycle, others are now fully dedicated to their other professional activities and, in some cases, to a deserved retirement. PIARC is indebted to each of them for the work they have done, whether modest or important. The Association wished to show its gratitude to them by sending them a personalized testimonial, mentioning the function exercised in the committee on which they sat. The General Secretariat is pleased to have been able to show its gratitude to each of them in a concrete way by formatting and sending these individual diplomas.

>> Read more

Find the interview of Claude Van Rooten, President of PIARC, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the AEC 

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Spanish Roads Association (AEC), Claude Van Rooten, President of PIARC, gave an interview in which he reviews the main topics of interest in the field of roads over the last decades.

>> Read the interview (in Spanish)

The Polish PIARC National Committee organizes weekly webinars 

The Polish PIARC National Committee organised a seminar in May on "Asphalt Pavements in the perspective of carbon neutrality and circular economy - use of recycled asphalt pavements (RAP)" and on "Quality of concrete surfaces: specifications and practice". Additional webinars on the PIARC Road Safety Manual, Road Maintenance, Concrete surfaces and Mobility after COVID-19 are planned.

>> Find the webinar recordings (in Polish)

The 16th REAAA conference will take place in March 2021 

Due to the current pandemic situation, the conference organized by PIARC's partner, REAAA, planned for this year will take place in March 2021. 

>> Read more

Enrique Balaguer Camphuis 

Enrique Balaguer Camphuis, President of PIARC from 1984 to 1992, as well as founder and former President of the Technical Road Association of Spain (ATC), passed away in June 2020.

>> Find information and testimonials about his career (in Spanish)

Second PIARC Note on the COVID-19 Crisis 

PIARC organized a series of webinars to discuss the multiple and complex impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for road and transport administrations. This note presents the results of the webinars. They are relevant to the road community and can be useful in informing planning and operational decisions [...]

>> Read the Note

Evaluating the Transformation of Transport Administrations 

Road and transport administrations around the world are facing a range of pressures to change the way they plan, organise and deliver their services. These pressures range from, for example, demographic or user changes, the introduction [...]

>> Read the technical report

Setting Credible Speed Limits - Case Studies Report 

This case study report on the theme of speed limits includes a series of remedial measures implemented or experimental demonstrations to help improve road safety in a given location or area.

PIARC had not worked on [...]

>> Read the technical report