SWARCO Aquires Iris Elmore Group
Long-term business partner in Ireland moves under the SWARCO umbrella.
With the transaction closed on 31 July 2024, Austrian traffic technology corporation SWARCO AG has acquired 100% of the shares in the Irish family owned business, Elmore Group. The Elmore Group, previously owned by Mark Elmore and Marion Elmore-Kelly, looks back on a multi-decade business partnership with SWARCO, especially in the segment of LED traffic lights and traffic control.
The Elmore Group specialises in the supply, integration and maintenance of a range of solutions for the traffic and transportation management sector. Based in Dublin, they offer a nationwide installation and maintenance service across a full range of ITS solutions for local authorities and major building contractors.
“The acquisition will expand SWARCO’s footprint in ITS in the Republic of Ireland through a well-established player founded by Seamus Elmore already in 1965”, says John Pickworth, SWARCO’s ITS Head of Region UK & Ireland. He adds: “I am excited to join forces with Mark Elmore and his team to further cement and grow our position as an ITS solution and services leader in the region.”
SWARCO CEO Michael Schuch comments: “We have been cultivating a long-term friendship with the Elmore family and thank them for their confidence in entrusting their life’s work to SWARCO. With Mark Elmore and the Elmore team on board, we will be able to deliver turnkey ITS solutions and services, building on the foundation of our established business in Ireland with key customers, including Dublin City Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and strengthening our portfolio.”
“Marion and myself are proud of what our family business have achieved over the past 59 years, and we believe now is the right time for the Elmore Group to move to the next level”, said Mark Elmore. “Following a culmination of 36 successful years partnership with SWARCO AG, this acquisition is the most obvious and logical choice for moving forward. We are excited to continue to the next phase of our business under the umbrella of SWARCO AG and together look forward to providing an even greater level of service to all our customers in the ITS industry.”
Press Contact information:
SWARCO AG
Richard Neumann
Senior Manager Communications & Events
NTUA Publishes the First-Ever Review of City-Wide 30 km/h Speed Limit Benefits in Europe
The National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) has recently published a paper titled “Review of City-Wide 30km/h Speed Limit Benefits in Europe” authored by George Yannis and Eva Michelaraki. It is the first-ever scientific review of city-wide 30 km/h speed limit benefits in Europe. Evaluation results from 40 different cities across Europe (including Paris, London, Brussels, and Helsinki) demonstrated that 30 km/h speed limits have led to significant reductions: 37% of road crash fatalities, 18% in emissions, 2.5dB in noise pollution and 7% in fuel consumption (on average). Such a high societal impact for such a small change in our habits.
The aim of this work was to assess the benefits of city-wide 30km/h speed limits. On that purpose, a thorough literature review of assessment results from 40 different cities across Europe was conducted and the effectiveness from 30 km/h speed limits in terms of safety, emissions, energy, traffic, liveability and health was discussed.
The introduction of city-wide 30 km/h speed limits has resulted in saving on average 37% of lives, alongside significant positive impacts on the environment, energy consumption and public health through reduced emissions and increased walking and cycling. Results from the extensive literature review revealed that after the introduction of city-wide 30 km/h speed limit, there was an average of 23% decrease in road crashes. This reduction in crashes can be translated to a safer urban environment, as evidenced by the corresponding decrease in fatalities and serious injuries by 37% and 38%, respectively.
Streets that promote safe walking and cycling can reduce car dependency and harmful vehicle emissions that contribute to climate change. Thus, the implementation of lower speed limits resulted in significant environmental benefits, including an average 18% reduction in emissions and an average 2.5 dB reduction in noise pollution.
Furthermore, after the introduction of a city-wide 30 km/h speed limit, it was found that fuel consumption decreased by an average of 11%, indicating that lower speeds led to improved fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The results align with expectations based on the general principles of traffic flow and vehicle efficiency at lower speeds.
Reducing speed limits can prompt road users to choose alternative routes or modes of transportation, which, therefore, has a significant impact on traffic volumes. Results indicated that the reduction of city-wide speed limit contributed to an average 4% decrease of traffic congestion. It was also demonstrated that 30km/h speed limits improved traffic flow and travel times as there were less stop/start traffic movements.
Reducing speed limits not only enhances road safety for all users but also facilitates better use of public space, promoting soft and active mobility while providing opportunities to reimagine urban areas. With the introduction of 30 km/h speed limits in several European cities, findings revealed that there were less stressed citizens, with fewer health problems, and, therefore, a quieter city was promoted.
From several cities examined, interesting findings per city have been revealed. For instance, a 46% and 40% reduction in road crashes was observed in London and Paris, respectively. Additionally, a 29% and 25% decrease in CO2, NOx and PM emissions was found in Berlin and Graz, while noise pollution dropped by 3 db in Paris. With regards to energy, a 12% and 10% reduction in fuel consumption was demonstrated in Münster and Brussels, respectively. Lastly, traffic congestion decreased by 9% and 2% in Grenoble and Bilbao, respectively.
In order to successfully implement 30 km/h speed limits in cities, it is essential to launch public awareness campaigns that emphasize on scientific evidence for the safety benefits associated with the reduced speed limit and to elucidate the rationale behind its implementation, with the overarching goal of gaining public support. An example being the NTUA Professor George Yannis high visibility campaign on running 30 Marathons in 30 months to promote city-wide 30km/h speed limits.
Chilean Road Operator reduces KSIs by Over 40% with Help from Valerann
Chilean motorway concession Autopista Costa Arauco has reported a remarkable 42% reduction in KSI casualties after deploying Lanternn by ValerannTM, an AI data analytics solution for traffic management.
The road safety efforts, comprising a suite of traditional and cutting-edge technological measures, have led to an equally notable 34% reduction in all crashes over the first 12 months since implementing the holistic road safety approach. The deployment complements the extensive work that the operator has been carrying out over the last few years, ostensibly to drastically lower the number of accidents on the 89km route.
Autopista Costa Arauco is a major motorway in Southern Chile that connects the city of Concepción and its ports with the Arauco area. It is a crucial route for the inextricably linked cellulose and logging industries, and for the economic vitality of the Biobío region in general. The motorway passes through a diverse landscape, including mountains and coastal areas and with that variety of topography comes a range of challenging weather conditions, such as thick winter fog and precipitation. Globalvia are responsible for the design, improvement, construction, operation, maintenance and financing of the concession within a traditional tolling system scheme.
Autopista Costa Arauco’s overarching goal was to improve road safety without making a significant investment in additional hardware. Although the concessionaire took responsibility for a road that had already achieved great results, reducing the number of road deaths by a factor of six, improvements were still sought.
As part of their holistic approach they looked for a solution that in addition to not incurring significant expenditure would deliver everything they were looking for, namely improved situational awareness and risk modelling.
The proactive operator, in addition to using traditional tools such as improvements to road surfacing and road drainage, took advantage of the available road traffic-related data, from the likes of Waze and Google Maps, plus current weather data, and integrated it into the AI platform. This allowed the operator to understand real-time traffic conditions and risky segments on its highways and to take appropriate preventative measures that resulted in road safety and service level improvements.
Proactive traffic incident detection can also significantly reduce the occurrence of secondary crashes. According to the US Federal Highway Administration the likelihood of such an incident occurring increases by almost 3% with each passing post-crash minute that the primary accident continues being hazardous.
The AI-powered solution they chose, Lanternn by ValerannTM, ingests data from the existing roadside infrastructure, floating data sources and weather information to provide an accurate and comprehensive real-time overview on road traffic situation and road accidents risk modelling on a single pane of glass.
The new system leverages the AI capabilities and predictive methods of the AI to identify risk situations and conditions, meaning that the road operator is now able to take proactive, preventive actions . For when black ice was predicted on the highway, the technology allowed the road operator to perform preventive activities to avoid accidents and ultimately save lives, demonstrating the value of their innovative our approach.
IRF Young Professional Leader Joins Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety Leadership Board
Ray Adrian Macalalag, the Lead for Communications of the IRF Young Professionals Programme, has been selected as one of the 10 members of the Youth Leadership Board of the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety.
The Youth Leadership Board, often referred to as the “engines behind the coalition,” is a diverse group expected to bring their expertise, advice, and actions in alignment with both local and global advocacy strategies.
Macalalag joins a distinguished group of young leaders from Belgium, India, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa, Tajikistan, Uganda, and the United States.
“I believe that road safety is interlinked with several factors, not just the quality or safety of infrastructure. It also lies with the policies we put in place and how we implement them,” said Macalalag.
Having kicked off his career at the Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways before joining the country’s premier think tank, the National Economic and Development Authority, Macalalag has a deep understanding of these issues.
“We also need to think about how we can save lives as road crashes are the top cause of death among young people. Their dreams and aspirations also die with them; and definitely, young people are the continuous supply of hope for our country,” he stressed.
Macalalag will serve a two-year term on the board, during which he is expected to identify and express the views and needs of youth, support the strategic planning process of the coalition, help organize global and local activities, and promote and expand the coalition.
Currently, Macalalag is in Australia studying for a Master of Transport at the University of Sydney under the Australia Awards Scholarship, bringing a holistic perspective to road safety that considers factors beyond infrastructure.
Roads of Serbia Implements Pilot Project of Safe Parking Lots (Rest Areas)
Public Enterprise "Roads of Serbia" has launched the “Pilot Project of Safe Parking Lots (Rest Areas)” aimed at providing safe parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles, at the location of the rest area "Bobovište" on the state road of the I category no A 1, highway section from Belgrade to Niš.
Safe parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles are listed as one of the main priorities in the ITS Action Plan and the ITS Directive 2010/40/EU, while European drivers and truck drivers from other countries transiting through the Republic of Serbia must have appropriate information about safe parking places.
Safe parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles are listed as one of the main priorities in the ITS Action Plan and the ITS Directive 2010/40/EU, as European drivers transiting through the Republic of Serbia must have appropriate information about safe parking places. The implementation of the National Access Point for data exchange as part of this pilot project provides a prerequisite for generating data on the number of available places at rest areas and parking lots and ensures a higher level of protection of property and persons on State IA roads.
The general concept of a safe parking lot in this phase of the implementation of the pilot project is the provision of the parking lot with technical protection systems, i.e. the installation of a video surveillance system for general and special purposes, as well as the integration of the system at the application level, which provides information on the number of free spaces as well as other relevant information.
The choice of micro location of the rest area where the system of "safe parking lots" will be established is based on the analysis of the number of stops of goods vehicles in order to take breaks prescribed by law.
By observing the space at the "Bobovište" rest area with 20 parking spaces for trucks and 23 parking spaces for passenger vehicles, data was obtained on the required amount of technical systems necessary to cover all parking spaces in such a way as to be secured by a video surveillance system.
Through the development of the project, the tasks that are a prerequisite for the implementation of such an ITS system in order to monitor and manage traffic, in accordance with the official legislation, were defined. Before the start of the implementation of the system, an Act on risk assessment in the protection of persons, property and business was drafted in accordance with the Law on Private Security. After the creation of the Act on risk assessment in the protection of persons, property and business, the design of the plan for securing the technical protection system as well as the Project for the implementation of the system was carried out.
The designed system of Secure parking lots consists of several functional units that contribute to the improvement and modernisation of the road network of state roads and the Republic of Serbia.
The system enables the detection of access control with the application of the most modern video surveillance technology for special purposes that verifies vehicles transporting dangerous goods by recognising vehicle registration plates, colour, type and model of the vehicle. A timely response to the occurrence of events in order to protect road users, the environment and the application of regulations in the transportation of hazardous materials depends on the detection of what type of hazardous materials are being transported in the vehicle, where the transport vehicle is located and what are the license plates.
Also, the mentioned video surveillance system covers the entire area of the rest area, and enables the availability of all aspects of safety for road users, property of the road manager and commercial vehicles transporting dangerous substances, commercial goods and others.
The video surveillance system covers the entire rest area, ensuring the safety of road users, property, and commercial vehicles transporting dangerous substances, commercial goods, and other items. This system is integrated with the existing video surveillance platform owned by the road manager.
Communication links have been established with the Niš Regional Centre (RC) for traffic monitoring and management. The central monitoring station at RC Niš allows real-time monitoring and response to the technical protection systems at "Bobovište." The installed cameras are integrated on a software platform that has the following features:
- Detection of parking space occupancy (occupied/vacant)
- Average parking space occupancy time per unit of time
- All data in real time
The "smart parking" solution relies on artificial intelligence and Deep learning, compatible with a large number of different camera models and enables different types of network architectures. The implemented solution provides data on each individual parking space for all types of vehicle categories.
PE "Roads of Serbia", the road manager has the ability to analyse the behaviour and demands of drivers and to promptly provide the most favorable conditions for rest and support for professional drivers, in accordance with the spatial possibilities of the rest area.
The system enables PE "Roads of Serbia" to collect all relevant data on vehicles that participate in traffic flows using the integrated transport systems (ITS) of the latest generation, confirmed within the traffic systems of several European countries.
Within one system, the criterion of multi-functionality of system operation is satisfied, and in this way, by effectively investing in a traffic management system, the road manager achieves significant benefits and saves resources for road safety on the state roads in the Republic of Serbia.
The 42nd Southern African Transport Conference 2024 Scores Another Success
The International Road Federation (IRF) has once again renewed– together with the South African Department of Transport – its support to the 42nd Annual Southern African Transport Conference (SATC 2024) hosted on 8-11 July 2024 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria, South Africa.
Under the theme “Upskilling and reskilling the transport industry for current and future challenges,” the conference brought together a wide range of stakeholders involved in the transport sector to facilitate the identification and implementation of effective and efficient transportation solutions. The aim was to reposition the sector for improved service delivery and better respond to the needs of all users of our transport system.
The conference welcomed over 600 delegates from 18 countries and featured 25 exhibitors over the course of the four days. It provided a platform for national and international dialogues on transport as an enabler of accelerated socio-economic development. It also served as a forum for discussion and information exchange on the implementation of transport policy, strategy, and technology applications for all aspects and modes of transportation. Better cooperation between and engagement of all public and private sector stakeholders was one of the key issues debated, with solutions sought and action plans formulated. The conference also had a record youth participation.
The programme featured a broad range of thematic areas, including infrastructure development, cost-effective road building materials, urban and public transport, traffic management, safety and security, and rural transport. Other significant topics included the integration of public transport networks, the role of technology and innovation, and options for sustainable urban mobility. The conference also hosted specialised forums and workshops focused on engineering for safe systems, public-private partnerships, and the meaningful inclusion of women in the transport industry value chain.
A unique setting for IRF to extend to everyone an invitation to join the upcoming IRF World Congress scheduled in Istanbul on 15-18 October 2024 and renew the commitment to work hand-in-hand with all African stakeholders to advance the transport agenda in the continent.
Looking ahead, the dates for the 43rd edition of the Southern African Transport Conference have already been announced: 7-10 July 2025, once again at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. The call for papers, sponsors, and exhibitors is now open, more information is available here.
Dimitris Mandalozis Takes the Helm of the International Road Federation
Dimitris Mandalozis, COO of Aegean Motorway S.A. takes the helm of the International Road Federation (IRF) as President following the conclusion of the mandate of Mr Anouar Benazzouz (the National Motorway Company of Morocco - ADM).
Mr Benazzouz has served as Board member of IRF for several years before being appointed IRF Vice-President in 2018, and later on as President of IRF in 2022. Reflecting on his tenure Mr Benazzouz stated: “I want to thank all the Members and Partners of the Federation for their trust and for their support. These years spent with the IRF have been an incredible enriching journey, both professionally and personally. I am confident that under Dimitris Mandalozis leadership, our Federation will continue to thrive.”
Mandalozis, a Civil Engineer with over two decades of experience in the transport sector, has been actively involved in the IRF for nearly 18 years. His expertise in tollway operations and public transport systems, alongside his leadership at Aegean Motorway S.A., and his active involvement in key international transport committees and expert groups position him strongly for his new role at the IRF.
"I wish to thank Anouar for the tremendous work he has done. I am honoured to take up the baton and carry forward the mission of the IRF" Mandalozis commented. “The upcoming IRF World Congress 2024 in Istanbul on 15-18 October will be not just a celebration of our Federation but of the entire road sector and I look forward to meeting you all in Istanbul” he continued.
The IRF community expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Mr Anouar Benazzouz whose leadership and vision has helped steer the Federation onto new and successful trajectory. A warm welcome to Dimitris Mandalozis as he embarks on his new journey with the IRF.
Discussing Global Transportation Challenges at the World Transport Convention 2024 in Qingdao
The International Road Federation (IRF) - represented by IRF DG, Susanna Zammataro - proudly supported and participated in the World Transport Convention 2024 (WTC 2024), held in Qingdao, China, on 26-29 June 2024. This crucial platform for the transportation industry brought together global experts to discuss and address the sector's most pressing challenges and advancements.
Under the leadership of the State Council, the convention was hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of the People's Republic of China, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and organised by IRF Member China Highway & Transportation Society (CHTS). Since its inception in 2017, WTC has been a significant event for knowledge exchange and collaboration among transportation professionals worldwide.
Global Transportation Challenges & Opportunities
A key highlight of WTC 2024 was the grandiose opening ceremony which saw the participation of Chinese leaders as well as opening remarks being delivered by Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the International Road Federation and a Keynote by Michael Caltabiano, IRF Executive Committee Member and CEO of NTRO.
"China is a very strategic country with important transport developments that are shaping and will continue to shape the lives of billions of people while supporting a thriving economy," IRF DG said in her opening address. She emphasised the vital role of international cooperation and innovation in shaping the future of transportation, and highlighted two significant challenges going forward for the transport sector:
- Lack of Institutional Capacity and the need for developing new systems, processes, and skilled professionals to effectively plan and deliver change
- Inadequate Traditional Funding, as traditional funding mechanisms are not designed to address the high-risk and uncertain investments required for decarbonising the transport sector, resulting on the need for creative financial approaches.
Conversely, she identified two major opportunities:
- Adoption of New Technologies and Innovations: Integrating digital tools and artificial intelligence in road infrastructure can generate significant cost savings and improve efficiency.
- Digitalisation: The digital transformation of the transportation sector is a game-changer, allowing for more efficient and sustainable operations.
IRF DG extended an invitation to all the WTC participants to the IRF World Congress 2024. This major event titled “Connecting to Empower Mobility: Roads as Enablers of a Sustainable Future for All,” will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, on 15-18 October 2024. The congress will explore how roads can empower mobility in various forms and contribute to global sustainable development.
IRF member, NTRO co-hosted during WTC the China-Australia Forum on Sustainable Development. Moderated by IRF DG, Susanna Zammataro, the forum gave to NTRO team the opportunity to present on various aspects of NTRO's work, offering an overview of the Australian road network and showcasing innovative solutions. Presentations covered material sustainability testing using our state-of-the-art lab, road network safety plans and their benefits, and the role of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in sustainable development.
The WTC 2024 in Qingdao successfully reinforced IRF ties with China and CHTS. It offered the opportunity to strengthen global collaboration in addressing the challenges and opportunities within the transportation sector. The IRF's involvement underscores its ongoing dedication to advancing road infrastructure and Innovation through international partnerships and knowledge exchange.
FACTUAL Expands CycleRAP to the Middle East
FACTUAL is thrilled to announce the launch of the first CycleRAP project in the Middle East, leveraging the innovative software tool Lane Patrol. Factual is a mobility consultancy firm based in Barcelona and a trusted CycleRAP partner since 2022. CycleRAP, an initiative developed by the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), is a specialised methodology designed to assess and improve cyclists' safety and comfort. The primary objective of CycleRAP is to systematically evaluate cyclists' risk factors and propose targeted interventions to mitigate these risks.
CycleRAP methodology gains momentum worldwide
FACTUAL has a proven track record of successful bicycle assessment projects in various cities worldwide, including Barcelona, Madrid, Montevideo, Copenhagen, Oxford, and Skopje. These projects have demonstrated the effectiveness of the CycleRAP methodology in improving road safety and reducing accidents in very different contexts at urban and interurban levels.
Lane Patrol and CycleRAP joined forces to enhance cycle safety
Lane Patrol, finalist at the IRF Startup Lebel 2023, is a tool from the FACTUAL ecosystem that assesses and improves the cycling infrastructure to prevent crashes.
The tool offers data-driven insights to identify potential hazards and improve cycling infrastructure, helping to reduce crashes and injuries. It helps policymakers, city planners, and mobility experts understand the state of existing and new infrastructure, prioritise and plan updates, and communicate results based on data-driven objective data.
When mounted on a bike, the Lane Patrol mobile app automatically captures georeferenced images of the cycling infrastructure. These are later synchronised with the web tool, which utilises vision models to assess safety with over 50 parameters, such as infrastructure width, protective barriers, and obstacles. Leveraging the CycleRAP methodology, Lane Patrol automatically defines the level of risk to categorise the different areas of the infrastructure.
Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Cycling Club
In this latest venture, FACTUAL is collaborating with the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club. This partnership marks a significant milestone, as it not only brings FACTUAL and the Lane Patrol tool to the Middle East but also paves the way for its expansion to other regions worldwide. The Abu Dhabi Cycling Club's local expertise and commitment to promoting cycling align perfectly with FACTUAL's mission to enhance cyclist safety.
This project represents a significant step forward in FACTUAL's mission to improve road safety for cyclists globally. The insights gained from the Jebel Hafeet pilot will be invaluable in shaping future projects and expanding the use of the CycleRAP methodology.
