NEWSLETTER N°105
April 2022

The past month has been a busy one for PIARC. The Executive Committee meet in a hybrid meeting, many in Prague and others online.

Václav Neuvirt, Executive Committee Member and PIARC Czech National Committee representative reported on the strong preparations for the XXVIIth World Road Congress to be held in Prague on 2-6 October 2023. Our hosts in Prague are well placed to ensure the XXVIIth World Road Congress will be a success.

One of the decisions taken related to the development of the Strategic Plan 2024-27. In 2021, the Strategic Planning Commission (SPC) undertook a review of its functions and produced the Final Report on the future of SPC [...]

>> Read the full editorial

The new Executive Committee of the World Road Association met in Prague 

Prague (Czech Republic), 19 – 21 April 2022

The newly appointed Executive Committee for the 2022-2024 executive cycle held its first official meeting in Prague (Czech Republic) with some participants joining remotely.

Among others, it reviewed progress of the work of the Association’s Committees, the numerous reports that have already been published, and discussed how best to prepare the next Strategic Plan, which will covers years 2024-2027.

The Executive Committee also visited the facilities that will welcome the 2023 World Road Congress, and elected its new Commissions.

>> Executive Committee 2022 - 2024

PIARC's special projects for this year, on the right track! 

PIARC is happy to confirm the launch of its new project on Carbon neutrality of the road sector!

The proposal from Maple Consulting and Research Driven Solutions (ITEN) has been selected, and work will commence at the beginning of May. This project is made possible thanks to voluntary funding from Austria, Australia, Japan, Canada-Québec, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the USA.

We are looking to launch another special project on “Social equity and social accessibility”. This calls remains open for proposals. Interested? Send your proposal before 6 May!

>> Further information

Join the webinar on "Gender inclusion in the transport sector"! 

7 June 2022

The purpose of the webinar “Gender inclusion in the transport sector” taking place next 7 June 2022 3.30-5.00 PM Paris time on Zoom and organised by the Promotion of gender inclusion and diversity Team of PIARC, is to discuss the challenges in the transport sector regarding gender inclusion. The experts will also identify examples and strategies on ways to bridge the gender gap. 

PIARC, ITF and TRB, big transport organisations with a global reach will present different perspectives on working with gender inclusion in the transport sector and discuss strategies and examples for more inclusivity.

The webinar is open to anyone interested. 

>> Register now!

Farewell to PIARC's COVID Response Team 

In an effort to quickly share information on actions taken by road and transport administrations during this crisis, the PIARC COVID-19 Response Team was formed in March 2020 and it has now come to an end. 

Thanks to their effort, more than twenty webinars have been organised. In total, more than 800 participants from 94 different countries have attended and 90 speakers have spoken, demonstrating the global reach and relevance of PIARC. PIARC COVID-19 Response Team also delivered a detail report which includes detailed recommendations and lessons learned during the pandemic.

>> More information and recording of the webinars here

Will you attend the ITF Annual Summit? Come and see PIARC! 

Leipzig (Germany), 18 – 20 May 2022

The International Transport Forum (ITF) Summit is recognized as a premier event for ministers and experts to discuss a wide range of transport issues. PIARC will be actively present at the 2022 summit, which will take place in Leipzig (Germany) from 18 to 20 May. Nazir Alli, President of PIARC, will be a speaker at the conference "Meeting the road safety challenge: Halving the deaths and injuries by 2030” (Wednesday, May 18, 2022 - 11:00 12.30), while Patrick Mallejacq, Secretary General of PIARC, will speak at the "Bringing the goods to the people: efficient and sustainable delivery in and around the city” conference (Wednesday, May 18, 2022 - 16:30 18.00). 

PIARC will also be present with a stand, where we will present our reports and the upcoming 2023 Congress. Do not hesitate to come and see us!

>> Further information

The PIARC General Secretariat welcomes Jazmín OROZCO and Jorge MONFORTE 

Ms Jazmín OROZCO and Mr Jorge MONFORTE have been appointed as PIARC Technical Advisors under National Committees and Strategic Theme 1 “Road Administration”, respectively.

Jazmín has a professional career in the Public Sector for more than 15 years, she is currently the Head of International Affairs of the Office of the Mexican Minister of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation. In March 2022, she joins the PIARC team as Technical Advisor to the General Secretariat, with the main task of developing seminars and activities that contribute to the reactivation and creation of national committees around the world.

Jorge is seconded by the Mexican Roads Association (AMIVTAC), a civil association that aims to promote and develop the science and technology of roads in Mexico. His key mission at PIARC is to support and liaise with the technical committees on Strategic Theme 1, "Road Administration", and to enable better communication in pursuing their objectives.

>> Who is who in PIARC General Secretariat?

Take part in the European Snow Plough Championship! 

The 1st European Snow Plough Championship is organised by the Austrian PIARC National Committee and will be hosted from 11th until 13th October 2022 at the “NÖ Feuerwehr- und Sicherheitszentrum” in Tulln, Lower Austria.

This competition will serve as a European prelude to the international snow plough competition that will take place during the next PIARC World Winter Service Congress, will be held in Chambéry (France) in 2026.

Competitors are welcome! Deadline for registrations: Monday, May 16, 2022.

>> Further information

Slovak National Committee gathers its experts

22 March 2022

A meeting of experts representing the country in PIARC Committees was held at the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic on 22nd March 2022. The meeting was led by Mr. Peter Varga, the First delegate of Slovakia in PIARC and by Mr. Ján Šedivý, Chairman of the National Committee PIARC Slovakia.

The aim of the meeting was to evaluate the current activity of the representatives in PIARC, especially the benefits taken from this international cooperation usable in domestic practice.

A significant part of the discussion was devoted to the involvement of Slovak experts in the preparation, promotion and participation in the World Road Congress in Prague, in October 2023.

Routes/Roads Magazine 392 

Routes/Roads 392 presents in full the five award-winning papers from the International Winter Road Congress, held online February 7-12, 2022, co-hosted by Transport Canada and the City of Calgary.

>> Read it here

Documents Relevant to Road Infrastracture and Transportation Security 

This document contains a review of literature on road infrastructure and transport security. The review focuses on the following topics: Legislations and policies; Standards [...]

>> Read it here

Maintenance and Traffic Operation of Heavily Trafficked (Urban) Road Tunnels 

The aim of the case study collection report is to gather, evaluate and comment on international expertise related to maintenance and traffic management [...]

>> Read it here