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PIARC (World Road Association), founded in 1909 and comprising 125 member governments from all over the world, is the global forum for exchange of knowledge and experience on roads, road transport policies and practices. With consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the Association is contributing to a stable and sustainable global development of the road and transport sector.

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  4. Cooperation with ITA

Cooperation with ITA

PIARC (World Road Association) and the International Tunneling Association (ITA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to ensure complementarity and synergy in their activities.

Basis of cooperation

In 1957, the World Road Association (then Permanent International Association of Road Congresses-PIARC) set up a Technical Committee on "Road Tunnel Operations".

The International Underground Works Association, now the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association (ITA), was established in 1974.

Since 1974, both organizations have joined efforts on many subjects. In 2005, they signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the respective work scopes and setting a formal framework to organize further cooperation.

The World Road Association, in order to provide continuity in the activities carried out since 1957, assumes leadership in study areas of tunnel geometry, equipment, operations, safety and environment in road tunnels.

ITA, in the area of road tunnels, assumes leadership in the area of civil engineering, design and construction technology. In addition, ITA is the host of an exchange network on safety matters in tunnels whatever the type of tunnel.

Committee ITA-COSUF

In terms of safety, ITA, in consultation with the World Road Association, has created in 2005 the Committee on operational safety of underground facilities (ITA-COSUF), of which a representative of the World Road Association is vice-chairman.

For more information on ITA-COSUF