The Covid-19 crisis and its impacts on the road sector were analysed in depth by PIARC’s dedicated Response Team, which was able to publish an excellent in-depth report. It highlighted that roads are a major part of the transportation system and are an essential service. This is why roads have to play a role in the transition to sustainable mobility.

Innovation will be key. For example, better traffic management can alleviate congestion which can reduce GHG emissions. Data can help users make the proper transport and modal decisions, or let truck drivers know where showers are available, while virtual reality lets experts access work sites remotely, etc. Several PIARC Committees are identifying best practice on these topics. However, digitalization is not a magic bullet, because physical infrastructure remains vital. Most innovative services – electric cars, shared mobility, powered two wheelers… – need well-maintained roads to function, and freight relies on roads and streets too. Let’s not forget either that Unpredicted Infrastructure Failures happen, in high income countries too, as present in a 2018 PIARC report, and can disrupt traffic for 12 months or sometimes longer. How can we prevent that from happening?

As presented in a recent ITF report, now is a time to invest in infrastructure and maintenance projects. In fact, the current crisis made many people aware of our vulnerabilities, including of transport systems’ vulnerabilities. Resilience and adaptation to climate change are now recognised by all as major vital priorities, and at PIARC, we have identified them as cross-cutting issues. The urgency is real and if we don’t act, we run a real risk that the transportation system as a whole will gradually lose efficiency and will collapse.

Governments and stakeholders have a mission to build trust, to allocate investments wisely, to use adequate transport modelling and forecasting, and to develop a customer-centric approach. In particular, the road sector should strive to address all transport users – women and men, disabled users, etc. Quoting from the ITF: “Climate action should not make the vulnerable worse off, but aim to enhance social equity”. This is a direction that PIARC is happy to embark on.