Infrastructure financing: Switzerland is considering mobility pricing
On 26 November, RouteSuisse (RoadsSwitzerland) hosted an on-line seminar on road infrastructure financing back-to-back with its annual General Assembly. The Seminar welcomed a presentation from the Director General of IRF on international trends and practices and one from the Director of the Swiss Federal Roads Office on the Swiss proposal for mobility pricing.
In Switzerland, the national road infrastructure is financed by fuel and vehicle import taxes, as well as a flat-rate annual fee of 40 Swiss francs (37 Euro). The railway infrastructure is financed entirely by road user charges (kilometre tax on heavy goods vehicles and tax on commuters using their cars to get to work).
Switzerland faces a major challenge in terms of infrastructure for mobility. On the one hand, technological progress and the development of ever more climate-friendly vehicles are generating a decline in tax revenues, and this phenomenon will become more pronounced in the coming years. On the other hand, Switzerland is experiencing stronger demographic and economic growth than its European neighbors. As a result, there is a greater demand for mobility and an increased need for mobility infrastructure.
As part of its annual meeting, the Swiss Road Federation (strasseschweiz/routesuisse) organised a seminar on the subject of infrastructure financing. For reasons related to COVID-19, this event was held online. Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the IRF, presented an overview of the different solutions that exist at the international level for mobility pricing, including the objectives and challenges of such systems. The Director of the Federal Roads Office, Jürg Röthlisberger presented the mobility pricing scheme currently being developed in Switzerland. This is a pricing scheme that covers all modes of transport (road and rail, private and public) and aims at financing infrastructure but also at influencing the demand for mobility by means of zone- and time-dependent tariffs.
The presentations of the two guest speakers were followed by an animated question & answer session during which senators and national parliamentarians and other stakeholders in attendance were able to share their views and also seek for clarifications. The swiss proposal is in its early stages and will have to convince both the Parliament and then the citizens in a referendum since implementation of the system being shaped will require an amendment to the Constitution.
The Mobility pricing proposal under discussion in Switzerland can be accessed here: https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/fr/home/themes/mobility-pricing.html
Turkish Road Association (TRA) candidate for hosting the World Tunnel Congress 2023 in Antalya / Turkey
The Turkish Road Association (TRA) was established in 1990 and became a member of the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES) as “Member Nation” in 1994. TRA has successfully represented Turkey in the ITA-AITES community in this process and has organised many events, in cooperation with the ITA-AITES for 26 years. One of the most important events is the “ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2005 and 31st General Assembly”, organised successfully in İstanbul / Turkey on May 7-12, 2005 in collaboration with the International Tunneling and Underground Space Association.
The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and this anniversary will be celebrated with large events and many important projects taking place in 2023.
Within the scope of these celebrations, TRA is glad to be a candidate with Antalya / Turkey for hosting the “ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2023 & 49th General Assembly” that will be held in 2023. This would be an opportunity to show participants the tunnels and underground spaces built in Turkey, to be updated about other countries’ developments in tunnel planning and construction technology and to provide mutual knowledge sharing.
TRA strongly believes the tenure of this event in Turkey will contribute to the development of the tunneling industry in the country. In addition to that, new friendships and collaborations might emerge from this great platform.
The congress’ theme is “Underground Spaces for Sustainable Societies: Tunneling for an Innovative Future”. Throughout history, humanity sought shelter from nature, sometimes even using nature itself. In the earliest experience, people utilised caves and underground spaces to live, to store and to seek protection against nature and enemies. Starting as early as 15th century BC, a complex underground structure with a capacity of almost 20.000 inhabitants was created, for a sustainable social life (living quarters, stables, wineries, churches, etc.), remnants of which can be seen in Cappadocia, Turkey.
Accumulation of engineering knowledge over the centuries enabled construction of tunnels in many cities serving as support and logistics corridors. The industrial revolution increased the need to connect locations of raw materials and production, as well as users in the cities; this was originally served by railways that needed more tunneling as they linked larger regions. In the 20th century, development of highway transportation in most of the developed countries fed the need for underground structures to establish road connection between cities as well as urban rapid transit systems within cities, such as metro, light rail systems, etc.
Today, underground spaces (tunnels with variable size and shape, shafts, pipelines, caverns and chambers with different purposes) are increasingly used to provide sustainable development and living. Land transportation systems (rail and road), especially in developing countries, still require construction of underground spaces. However, the needs of the societies further require connection to provide water and energy, as well. The increase in the distance of needs and societies, which is often naturally obstructed by geography, keeps the need to focus on underground spaces and corridors even today. On the other hand, innovation is a key measure, because both construction and operation of these underground systems and spaces need better use of the current technologies.
Turkey as a major developing country, is at the verge of creating stronger connections between cities nationally, as well as Asia and Europe internationally. Thus, tunneling and underground space design are key aspects for efficient and safe road map to economic development. Despite its geological and topographical challenges, and with many corridors for tunneling under construction and planned, Turkey is a perfect location to talk about sustainable development in the light of innovation for the next decade.
As a country with a significant capacity and need for increased tunneling and underground space, Turkey and TRA are well positioned to host the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2023 and the 49th General Assembly in 2023.
Technical tours will be organised during the congress, for participants to have a closer look at ongoing or completed projects, meet the experts and be informed in details.
Antalya, which is the proposed host city, is certainly an excellent destination to satisfy participants with its history, rich cultural heritage, natural beauties, commercial mission, being one of the most significant cities since ancient times and its experience in hosting several important events for years. In addition, interested participants would experience the historical and natural beauties of Turkey with different tour options. Social programs will be designed for the accompanying persons.
All relevant governmental institutions of Republic of Turkey declared their support to host this event in Turkey. Moreover the industry representatives and experts specialised in tunneling and underground spaces are looking forward to hosting their colleagues who will travel to Turkey for the Congress.
More info about TRA and its application here: https://www.tra.org.tr
HOVITA launches the Motor Third party insurance compensation project for Uganda’s road crash victims
Road crashes are a global health and development challenge with significant human and economic costs, especially in developing countries. The leading cause of death among people aged 15-29, road crashes kill 1.3 million people every year and injure another 50 million. In low and middle-income countries, this is estimated to reduce GDP by 3 to 5%.
In Uganda, the road safety situation has deteriorated rapidly over the last years, mainly due to a number of reasons, which include growing vehicle population, the lack of appropriate road safety intervention and weak enforcement, among others.
According to Ministry of Health Report 2019, the number of road crash fatalities in Uganda rose from 3,503 to 3,800 in 2019 representing a growth of 8.49% , the fatality rate is 8.44 individuals per 100,000 population with accident severity index of 24 people killed per 100 road crashes. This is contrary to the ministerial conference of 2019 where a proclamation was made to halve road crash death by 2030.
In this regard, Uganda Insures Association (UIA) partnered with Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA) to work for safe roads and healthy mobility and as well as to promote the right of safe roads for road users and victims of road crashes. To improve on post crash response UIA and HOVITA initiated a Motor Third Party Insurance Compensation Project. The aims of this project were threefold; 1) To enhance and promote road safety campaign and associated activities like quick and efficient processing of claims to ease the claimant access to insurance claims departments with minimal procedures, 2) To create awareness and appreciate insurance as a major risk mitigation service in road safety and 3) To provide free information, improve support services for victims and bereaved families.
Having engaged all stakeholders in the Pilot Project area of Kampala Metropolitan that included 5 selected hospitals and two other hospitals along Masaka and Jinja Highways. We embarked on our aim to ensure that road crash victims are compensated within a period of 3-5 days upon submission of necessary requirements using three approaches;
1. Hospital Approach: Road crash survivors’ admitted in the hospitals were assisted by the social workers to process their claims and get compensated before they are discharged from hospital. This enabled them to offset some of their hospital bills.
2. Police Approach: Traffic police officers offer the most immediate emergency services to road crash survivors. With this project, they were empowered to give necessary information to victims on how to process motor third party insurance compensation, updates on court processes and guidance on civil compensation to the victims.
3. I know my rights Approach: This approach applies to those who know their rights, are well informed of steps to take, and can engage in high Authorities once their rights are violated. This approach prevails even after closure of this project.
It is important to note that Motor Third Party Insurance (MTPI) is a statutory requirement under the Motor Vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risks Statute 1989 Act) that covers Insured's legal liability for death or disability of a third party. The third parties in this case being pedestrians, passengers in the vehicle (non family members), cyclists etc.
HOVITA with its partners sensitised over 5000 people about their rights under MTPI to include; 1) The right to be informed whether the vehicle was insured under section 10 of the Third party risks act 2) The Third party victim has a right to sue the owner or driver of a vehicle that was involved in a motor accident under section 39 of the act and 3) the Right to be compensated under Motor Third Party Risks Act 1989.
In the same spirit we, engaged all insurance companies and brought into being a synchronised claims process that clearly states the requirements to process MTPI claims. And indeed you need to have;
- A Police Report and sketch plans.
- A Medical Report from a recognised Medical Practitioner.
- Medical Bills and Receipts
- Formal Identification/NID
- In case of Death/representatives should present;
1. Death certificate/post mortem report
2. Letter of introduction of beneficiary (ies) or minutes of the family meeting indicating the beneficiary and signed by all persons present in the meeting.
A total of 51 traffic police officer have been empowered to investigate road crashes. This is intended to ensure that conclusive and unbiased police reports are provided so that insurance companies pay genuine claims.
A number of victims have benefitted from this project through compensation and have been assisted with accessories to help them cope and adjust to the new normal after road crashes.
We acknowledge the need to prevent road crashes from happening in the first place. Through this project we are running a “smart Travel” campaign with a slogan a safe journey starts with you. Our focus is bus drivers and passengers and we educate them to embrace and put safety first. Amidst the COVID 19 pandemic we are encouraging them to observe the standard operating procedures in order to stay alive and safe.
Lastly, we love to call up on all stakeholders in road safety to join us in this cause and halve road incidents by 2030. We must remember that, we are all potential victims, pedestrians are the most hit at 40% fatal rate globally and unfortunately we all pedestrians at some point. Let us put our efforts together and eliminate this road incident monster.
For partnerships and collaborations contact us:
HOPE FOR VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS (HOVITA).
Address: P.O Box 26149, Kampala, Kevina Rd, Nsambya.
Contacts; +256-706762409
Twitter: @Hovita-Uganda
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hovita.org/
Email: sambambanza@gmail.com /info.hovita@gmail.com
Launch of the project CRISPS – Climate resilient sustainable road pavement surfacings
One or several simultaneous changes in the climate conditions, e.g. hotter seasons, extreme precipitation events, increasing severe storms and sea level rise could severely affect roads in LICs. Missing to appreciate such an impact in future road design, maintenance and operating planning and protocols, could cause accelerated road deterioration and increased risk of damage, traffic disruption and accidents with knock-on effects on economy.
To address this, the CRISPS multi-disciplinary research project will operate over 18 months under the leadership of the University of Birmingham (UoB) and in collaboration with the University of Auckland (UoA), the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the International Road Federation (IRF).
The aim of this project is to achieve an affordable high-volume road resilient approach to climate change and traffic demands, by assessing the suitability of three global best practice types of road surfacing technologies for use in LICs to counter the impacts of climate change, namely Modified Epoxy Chip Seals (MECS), Modified Epoxy Asphalt Surfaces (MEAS) and Fibre Mastic Asphalt (FMA) respectively. The technologies are a result of many years of research in New Zealand (MECS and MEAS) and Malaysia (FMA) where their in-situ performance has been demonstrated through trials and they are as a result routinely used in service.
The research will utilise a modelling approach which considers life cycle analysis and via the practical application of the approaches in Ethiopia. An anti-fraud methodology for testing the components of the technologies using neutron beam particle analysis will also be trialled. The objectives of the research are:
- The development of models of the behaviour of the three technologies under the variety of current and future environmental (i.e., climate and subgrade/ base course) and traffic conditions found in HVT roads in LICs in Africa and S. Asia.
- A scoping exercise to identify existing chip seals in LICs that are at risk and could benefit from MECS, MEAS or FMA and for new roads.
- The development of life cycle models for the technologies, considering the effects of climate change, both for the construction of new roads and for resurfacing (overlay).
- Scoping inexpensive anti-fraud in-situ testing methodologies for MEAS, MECS, based on neutron beam particle analysis.
- Building and testing in Ethiopia innovative low-cost easy application methods for the three technologies.
Join the CRISPS LinkedIn Group to become part of the community of practice and exchange knowledge and expertise.
An introductory webinar on the project will be hosted on 10th December at 9:00 AM (CET). Register your participation.
COVID-19 Response & Recovery: the IRF at work on two HVT Projects
Earlier this year, the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Transport Research Fund was established by the Research for Community Access Partnership (ReCAP) and the High Volume Transport Applied Research Programme (HVT) as part of the UK Department for International Development’s (DFID now FCDO) response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 is having a devastating socio-economic impact globally and has been acutely felt not least by people in low-income countries (LIC). Transport is at the centre of managing the spread of the pandemic and will be key to ensuring rapid and sustained recovery. A Call for Action highlighted the need for: a) curation of LIC-specific information, b) a common platform for COVID-19 impacts information, and, c) transformative transport agenda for a post-COVID-19 world.
In response to this Call, two IRF projects were selected for implementation and have commenced in November 2020. Firstly, the IRF, in collaboration with the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, has started working on the six-month project “Africa’s response to COVID-19 and its impact on transport and mobility of people and goods. A review of policy and practice in seven African countries.”. This project focusses on Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.
Specifically, this research project aims to fill the gap between COVID-19 policy design and implementation and impact by gathering data on the COVID-19 related restrictions that were implemented in these countries at the institutional level, and how these impacted transport and mobility of people and goods on the ground. The project will provide evidence-based suggestions that policy makers in Africa should consider when defining responses to potential future waves of COVID-19 and recovery measures.
Secondly, the IRF was awarded a three-month project to transform and enhance the existing Global Transport Knowledge Portal (gTKP). This platform, originally created through generous funding by DFID, and which has been hosted by the IRF since 2009 will be enhanced to fast-track LIC (and others) access to knowledge, experience, learning resources and good practices on COVID-19 response and impacts. Further, the aim is to work in partnership with other initiatives and organisations, and to see gTKP grow into a fully-fledged capacity-building hub in the near future.
The project intends to locate and gather currently available and relevant resources for LICs, and to provide effective access to hands-on knowledge and expertise that can inform action at all levels and help build local capacity, as well as to identify the needs and potential gaps.
For more information, please contact the IRF Secretariat at info@irfnet.ch.
