IRF at the UN for Traffic Safety and Automated Driving
The International Road Federation was among the stakeholders invited to attend the 79th Session of the Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety (17-20 September) and the 4th session of the Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) (24-27 September), both of which took place at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety aims to share information on national and international road safety activities and initiatives, including recent and forthcoming changes to their traffic legislation, as well as information on related upcoming events. On the other hand, GRVA aims to address safety and security of vehicle automation and connectivity, Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and driving dynamics issues at regulatory level, ensuring harmonisation at global scale.
With regards to the discussions held during these meetings, one key topic was deliberated in both sessions: Automated Driving. One of the most relevant issues is related to the definition of the word “driver” included in the Conventions on Road Traffic (1949 and 1968). This particular word has become pivotal in the global debate on road safety since it creates division based on different interpretations with regards the usage of automated functions within a vehicle. Specifically, Article 8 of both Conventions states “Every vehicle or combination of vehicles proceeding as a unit shall have a driver” (1949) and “Every moving vehicle or combination of vehicles shall have a driver” (1968). A “driver” is defined as a “person who drives the vehicle” i.e. a human being, therefore the introduction of vehicles without a “driver” poses an issue that needs to be resolved.
The IRF, representing the road infrastructure sector, closely follows all the automated driving discussions with the aim to beof: first and foremost, being up-to-date with all recent developments, and, secondly, to represent the interests of its members and work on its mission to promote the development of roads and road networks that enable access and sustainable mobility for all.
The IRF looks forward to participating in the upcoming meetings to be held at the beginning of 2020.
For more information, please contact the IRF Secretariat at info@irfnet.ch
Work Zone Safety Course in Doha certifies a new group of engineers
A new group of 25 engineers got certified at the end of the course on work zone safety which was co-organised by IRF and Qatar transportation and Traffic Safety Centre (QTTSC) last week in Doha and animated by Miguel Angel Serrano Santos. This is the first of a series of courses on road safety. The next one is scheduled for 19-21 November 2019 and will focus on Road Safety Management.
Attendees learned how to design a safe work zone and newest technologies for work zone safety. The use of positive protection from crash worthy barriers, truck mounted attenuators, dynamic, variable message signs, average speed camera enforcement and flagger training were among the topics discussed. Another important part of the Work Zones is the use of vertical signs and road markings, which was covered in depth during the course.
More information and course agenda can be consulted here: https://www.irfnet.ch/event-info/course-on-traffic-safety-in-work-zones/1/968
The next Course part of this series will be on “Road Safety Management” and will be hosted on 19-21 November in Doha, Qatar. This three-day training course has been designed for professionals who wish to dig into:
- the three distinctive elements of the safety management system (institutional management, the interventions and the results) and the linkages in between them.
- ISO39001 standard on Road Traffic Safety Management
- Impact of RTSM on Business & Operational Performance
The course is almost fully booked so if you wish to attend, please register asap. More info:https://www.irfnet.ch/event-info/course-on-road-safety-management/1/969
IRF World Road Statistics 2019: Assessing the global road network, South Asian countries report highest road network density, whilst North Africa scores lowest as a region
The IRF World Road Statistics 2019 published at the beginning of September 2019, covers data for 208 countries and provides information on 11 important topics encompassing 56 indicators, ranging from road accidents, to road expenditure and road network. An analysis of the road network data revealed that South Asia has the highest road density. Covering less than 4% of the global land area, South Asia retains almost 18% of the global road network, thus allowing it to record the highest regional road density of 1.41 km/km². Within South Asia, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka are the top three countries with regard to road network density. As Bangladesh and India are classified as lower middle income countries by the World Bank, it substantiates the further analysis of global road network density by income group, which revealed that overall, lower middle income countries recorded the highest road network density.
Road networks form a vital part of a nation’s infrastructure as it serves as the gateway to development in other sectors. Connectivity through road networks can enable eradicating poverty as it can provide access to education, medical facilities, employment and social capital opportunities, amongst others. Reducing distance between markets, people and knowledge through quality road networks stimulate economic growth, which can create a cycle of growth opportunities for all sectors.
Following South Asia, Europe accounts for the second highest road network density with 1.14 km/km² and 17% of the global road network. Within Europe, and globally, Monaco as a city-state acts as a major outlier, reporting the world’s highest road network density of 28 km/km². Besides Monaco, Malta, San Marino and the Netherlands record the highest road network density. On the other end of the spectrum, the North Africa and Central Asia regions account for the lowest road densities.
The road network density of high income countries is almost at par with that of middle income countries, with 0.44 km/km². Monaco, Macao (China) and Malta are the top three countries in this income group with high road densities. On the other hand, low income countries recorded the lowest figure for road density (0.08 km/km².). It is noteworthy to mention that high income countries account for 39% of the global road network, whilst low income countries account for only about 3%. Whilst high correlation must not imply causation, it is quite likely that fewer kilometres of road hinder the economic growth opportunities in low income countries.
As mentioned previously, North Africa and Central Asia account for the lowest figure in road density globally, substantiated further by the road expenditure data which reveals that these regions account for only 1.3% and 1.4% of the global total investment on roads, respectively.
If you are interested in more detailed information regarding key statistical indicators for the road and transport sector, whether for a specific country or worldwide, we invite you to find more information here, to contact us directly by phone +41 22 306 0260 or email stats@irfnet.ch
China: Smart Transportation Technology and Practice
China Highway and Transportation Society and Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co., Ltd (CICO) hosted on 31 August and 1 September the 1st International Symposium on Smart Transportation Technology and Practice. The audience of around 250 delegates, consisted of experts, researchers, operators, and academia in the field of smart highways and ITS. It was attended by representatives from China’s and Japan’s highway industry and investment agencies as well as officials from Zhejiang highway operators and transport sectors.
The symposium was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province which owns China's example project for intelligent transport as Hangzhou-Shaoxing-Ningbo Expressway. The IRF was represented by Mr Konstantinos Antiochos from Olympia Odos Operation company in Greece, who presented the evolution and status of C-ITS implementation in Europe. Olympia Odos is a member of the Hellenic Association of Toll Road Network (HELLASTRON), an esteemed member of IRF. During the conference a demonstration of V2X and 5G equipped vehicles was performed at the test track in CICO’s campus. Delegates had the opportunity to ride the V2V and V2I equipped vehicles along the test track, which was equipped with its own sensors and road side equipment, and receive alarms on typical hazardous conditions that may be encountered while driving (e.g. pedestrian crossing, proximity alerts etc.) while a real time video feed from the vehicles was transmitted over 5G to the back-office for algorithm evaluation and training.
If you wish to learn more, please contact IRF Secretariat at info@irfnet.ch
IRF President meets key partners in Geneva
IRF President Mr Bill Halkias was in Geneva early September for a series of meetings. These included a meeting with Mr Jean Todt, President of FIA and UN Special Envoy for Road Safety and Mr Yuwei Li, Director Transport Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Mr Todt expressed satisfaction for the excellent collaboration between IRF and FIA. Few years ago, the two organisations have each one become a member of the other’s Federation in order to provide more structure and continuity to their collaboration. Mr Todt recalled also the challenges the sector has vis-à-vis road safety, the work being done with the FIA High Level Panel – of which IRF is an Advisory Board Member – and the upcoming Road Safety Ministerial in Sweden. Mr Halkias shared with Mr Todt the latest on IRF activities and also the experience of motorway concessionaires when it comes to road safety. Mr Halkias stressed the need to work very closely with local communities and stakeholders and expressed willingness to work more closely with FIA clubs around the world.
Meeting with Mr Yuwei Li, Director Transport Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Mr Halkias expressed his satisfaction for this 70-year collaboration between IRF and UNECE. UNECE was established in 1947 with the mandate to help rebuild post-war Europe, develop economic activity and strengthen economic relations between European countries, and between Europe and the rest of the world. It’s creation and the relevance of its work was also the reason that brought IRF to move to Geneva. Mr Li and Mr Halkias discussed the importance of the International Conventions administered by UNECE and recent developments in the transport sector. Mr Li thanked Mr Halkias for the active involvement of IRF in UNECE committees and working groups.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is one of five United Nations regional commissions, administered by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The UNECE Sustainable Transport Division works to facilitate the international movement of persons and goods by inland transport modes. It aims to improve competitiveness, safety, energy efficiency and security in the transport sector. At the same time, it focuses on reducing the adverse effects of transport activities on the environment and contributing effectively to sustainable development. It is a centre for multilateral transport standards and agreements in Europe and beyond, e.g. regulations for dangerous goods transport and road vehicle construction at the global level.
Newsletter - September 2019
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#CommitToAct
Every 24 seconds another person is killed as a result of a road traffic injury—an unnecessary and preventable tragedy. Worldwide, road deaths are still increasing, even though evidence-based solutions are known and can be implemented. More urgent, strategic action is needed.
#CommitToAct, a new campaign from the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, mobilizes NGOs, civil society and everyday people to raise their voices, share their experiences, and push for government leaders to COMMIT to putting people first in road safety and ACT to save lives on the road.
Vague promises are not enough. #CommitToAct seeks specific, meaningful commitments and assists NGOs to be persistent in following up so that commitments become actions. We invite you to #CommitToAct with us. There are many ways to get involved:
- Take and share the People’s Survey: http://www.roadsafetyngos.org/peoples-survey/
- Sign the People’s Declaration to demand action: http://www.roadsafetyngos.org/peoples-declaration/
- Organize a #CommitToAct day: http://www.roadsafetyngos.org/committoact-day/
We need your help during August and September by taking the People’s Survey and sharing it widely with your friends, families, colleagues, and other networks. The survey seeks to demonstrate the impact of road crashes on the daily lives of individuals, families, and communities: how crashes have affected their ongoing physical and psychological health, personal financial situations, family relationships, and how safe they feel on the road. Please help us to show the scale and impact of road traffic crashes on real people’s lives around the world by sharing it widely.
The results of the survey will be a resource to support advocacy for road safety in different countries and will be presented in Sweden in February 2020, prior to the Third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety.
Help the voices of citizens around the world to be heard. #CommitToAct with us. Read more HERE: www.roadsafetyngos.org/committoact.
IRF signs MoU with Qatar University
The Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center (QTTSC) at Qatar University College of Engineering (QU-CENG) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Road Federation (IRF), Geneva (Switzerland) to further expand and consolidate collaboration and exchange of expertise particularly on traffic safety.
The MoU was signed by QU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr Omar Al Ansari and IRF Director General Mrs. Susanna Zammataro in the presence of CENG Dean Dr Khalid Kamal Naji, QTTSC Director Prof Faris Tarlochan, as well as QU faculty and staff.
Mobilizing partnerships for better road safety data and action
This week, representatives from national governments, NGOs, the private sector, and academia have been taking part in a two-day training workshop designed to equip and mobilize different partners to join forces to improve road safety data. The data training culminated in a joint concrete action plan to assess risks, improve conditions, and advocate for greater road safety around schools.
The participating organizations were invited because of the roles they play in road safety, strategy, or infrastructure. Stimulating partnerships between these diverse organizations will improve data quality, increase available resources, and promote data sharing.
