Qatar University Organises International Workshop on Micro-Mobility in Collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Support from IRF
In collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Qatar’s Transportation and Traffic Safety Centre at Qatar University’s College of Engineering organised an international workshop on the development of micro-mobility systems on 29 September 2024, at the research facilities within Qatar University. This workshop featured participation and sponsorship from prestigious global organisations in transportation engineering, including the International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences (IATSS), the International Road Federation (IRF), the World Conference on Transport Research Society (WCTRS), as well as local and international companies such as Traffic Tech (Gulf) and CDM Smith.
The workshop included in-depth discussions with experts and researchers focused on developing micro-mobility systems, including bicycles and similar urban modes like scooters. It explored the challenges associated with micro-mobility, such as the need for adequate infrastructure and the regulatory frameworks that governed their usage, aiming to improve transport network efficiency and reduce their impact on traffic safety. Extensive discussions and exchanges of ideas occurred among international experts, speakers from scientific and global organisations, and representatives from both governmental and private sectors.
The workshop also included a session on the "Update of the Qatar Bicycle Master Plan," an ongoing initiative by the Ministry of Transport, to discuss some of its outputs and exchange views with pertinent governmental and private sector representatives. This international workshop was attended by over 400 professionals from official, research, and private sectors from more than 65 countries.
As the Dean of the College of Engineering at Qatar University, Dr Khalid Kamal Naji, stated, “This international event was the result of the ongoing collaboration between Qatar University, the Ministry of Transport, leading global organisations in transportation engineering, and private sector consulting firms. It aimed to ensure a practical and effective impact from the advanced research studies conducted by the college to find innovative solutions based on best global practices for the contemporary challenges facing transportation systems in the country and the world. The participation of a distinguished group of faculty members, researchers, and graduate students from the university in this workshop was a testament to the college's commitment to transportation and traffic safety research and its collaboration with governmental and private entities in this field."
In addition, the Director of Land Transport Planning at the Ministry of Transport, Mr Saleh Said Al-Marri, noted, "The world experienced rapid technological and industrial progress in micro-mobility solutions, which led many countries to develop plans that aligned with these advancements. In this regard, the Ministry of Transport took significant steps to enhance the land transport system in Qatar, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive and sustainable transport network that included bicycles and micro-mobility options. These modes were essential for reducing dependence on private vehicles and providing flexible solutions for short-distance travel, facilitating access to public transport stations.”
He stressed the importance of collaboration between the Ministry and research institutions to enhance partnerships between scientific research and practical aspects.
Regarding the presentation of technological solutions to the challenges facing micro-mobility, the Director of Traffic Tech (Gulf), Engineer Abdul Rahman Al-Khatib, expressed, "We were proud to sponsor this important event organised by Qatar University, which highlighted the future of urban mobility—micro-mobility. At Traffic Tech Gulf, we remained committed to supporting sustainable transport through intelligent transport systems and advanced traffic management solutions such as SCATS, which improved traffic flow to safely integrate micro-mobility solutions into our cities. By leveraging these technologies, we aimed to contribute to a more connected, efficient, and environmentally friendly urban environment for the future of Qatar."
In her remarks, Ms Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the International Road Federation, said, "The swift and widespread adoption of micro-mobility solutions in numerous countries presented considerable challenges for road authorities, particularly regarding the integration of these modes into existing transportation systems, including infrastructure and traffic management...".
Building Climate Resilient Road Networks with ORIS Materials Intelligence
Driving a Sustainable Future at the IRF World Congress 2024
As climate change intensifies, our infrastructure faces unprecedented challenges. Extreme weather events—hurricanes, floods, heatwaves—disrupt transportation, wreak economic havoc, and endanger lives. Around 50 million people in the world are killed or injured every year because the roads aren’t safe enough.
Digitalisation brings an opportunity in the climate crisis: harnessing advanced digital solutions and innovative strategies to design resilient road networks that withstand climate impacts and ensure reliable transport and societal stability.
ORIS Materials Intelligence, the first construction materials knowledge platform for low-impact infrastructure, is at the forefront of this transformation. Leveraging AI and data science, ORIS empowers the construction sector with critical insights for planning sustainable, resilient, and cost-efficient road networks.
With its powerful platform, ORIS helps point out scenarios to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by up to a 50% reduction and the circularity of natural resources by up to 80%. These figures show road construction projects can indeed limit their impact on our environment and ensure sustainability.
Oris is excited to announce its participation in the high-level IRF World Congress 2024, a gathering of road and mobility professionals at the cutting-edge of the road sector.
From 15 to 18 October 2024, in Istanbul, industry leaders, policymakers, and experts will converge to share insights, discuss trends, and showcase innovations shaping the future of road mobility.
One of this year's congress themes, "Resilient Road Networks for Resilient Transport & Societies," aligns perfectly with one of the solutions Oris is developing, its Climate Resilience Methodology.
It embodies this vision by assessing climate risks and designing solutions to withstand extreme weather and long-term climate shifts while securing socio-economic impacts.
For ORIS, climate resilience represents our need to adapt to the impacts of climate change. For infrastructure, this means taking into account the current status of the network. The platform's goal is to assess its vulnerabilities regarding climate change, vulnerabilities that could ultimately impact the population nearby.
A multi-criteria platform like ORIS enables road designers to fully visualise a network’s vulnerabilities and act accordingly by making informed decisions.
ORIS methodology calculates a unified resilience score based on three key factors:
- Climate screening (heat, flooding, frost/thaw cycles),
- Infrastructure vulnerability (road condition)
- Social impact (user delay, surrounding population)
Climate screening identifies potential impacts, infrastructure vulnerabilities highlight weak points under climate stress, and social factors assess the broader societal significance.
In Central Asia, this solution appraised a regional network. In just a few weeks, 7.765 km of road networks were assessed to determine their most critical parts:
- 25% of roads were identified at a high to extreme risk of exposure to climate change
- 30% of the local population nearby could be affected
- Rising temperatures may weaken flexible pavement roads, especially with frequent freeze-thaw cycles
- Flood-prone areas were identified to pose threats to rural access to essential facilities
Join ORIS at booth 123 to learn more about the Paris Agreement, which focuses on strongly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to ensure we reach the 1.5-degree trajectory. In parallel, we need to act to adapt to the effects of climate change as they are already visible. This means we can't overlook road networks' climate resilience.
That’s why a platform like ORIS is strategic for decision-makers, our approach, participation in panel discussions, and exploration of case studies. Engage with Oris and their stakeholders to share ideas and explore potential collaborations.
The IRF World Congress 2024 isn't just about learning—it's about action. We urge all attendees to actively shape the future of mobility.
At ORIS Materials Intelligence, they believe that building a sustainable future is a collective journey.
This shows through the company’s commitment and values. ORIS has become a driven-mission company that takes action on 4 pillars:
- Provide digitised knowledge of the impact of the choice of construction materials used in infrastructure.
- Enable the construction infrastructure sector to measure and optimise the environmental impact of materials.
- Contribute to inclusive transport networks in line with global development objectives.
- Build equitable and balanced growth through an HR approach that cares about the well-being of its employees and a healthy relationship at work.
We look forward to seeing you in Istanbul, where we can work together to create a resilient and sustainable world.
Register now at irf2024.irfofficial.org and join us on this exciting journey. Let's act now for a sustainable road network, one road at a time.
Christian U. Haas, Umovity CEO Talks with IRF About the Future of Mobility Ahead of the IRF World Congress 2024
When two market leaders join forces, the results can be transformative. Umovity is a prime example of this synergy. By uniting the two industry-leading brands PTV Group and Econolite, Umovity offers a comprehensive approach to managing the entire mobility value chain, encompassing both software and hardware.
The International Road Federation (IRF) sat down with Christian U. Haas, CEO of both companies, in the lead-up to the IRF World Congress to discuss how they are revolutionising traffic management and what they will showcase at the IRF Congress in Istanbul.
Mr. Haas, in January 2023 PTV Group and Econolite joined forces under the new umbrella brand Umovity. How have things evolved since then?
Since launching Umovity, we’ve been on an exciting journey filled with new opportunities. Econolite is the leading provider of traffic management solutions in the U.S., while PTV’s traffic modeling and simulation software is globally recognised. The synergy between our two companies is vast. By harnessing the strengths of both companies, Umovity takes a holistic approach, providing the right solutions, hardware and software, needed to address the challenges and unlock the potential of the mobility and ITS sector.
What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the mobility sector today?
The mobility sector is at a critical juncture, with both unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Transportation accounts for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, and approximately 1.2 million people die each year in road traffic crashes. Urbanisation is creating overcrowded cities, increasing congestion, pollution, and reducing overall quality of life. City and traffic planners are being forced to rethink mobility strategies.
At the same time, transportation systems are becoming more complex with the introduction of new services and technologies. This complexity, however, also brings great opportunities. Advances in roadway sensors and cutting-edge software are generating vast datasets, which, when combined with technologies like artificial intelligence, are transforming traffic management. These innovations offer a path toward a more sustainable, efficient, and safer future.
That’s why the IRF World Congress is so important. It brings together global leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss these critical issues and drive the future of mobility forward.
What can visitors expect to see at the Umovity booth?
At the Umovity booth, visitors will experience state-of-the-art solutions for intelligent traffic management. We’ll showcase Econolite's adaptive traffic control systems, real-time traffic management software, controllers, cabinets, and sensor products. PTV Group will present its advanced simulation and predictive modeling tools. Some highlights include PTV Optima, our real-time traffic management software used in cities around the world, and PTV Model2Go, an innovative solution for rapid traffic model creation. We’ll also feature Econolite’s Evo Radar, a cutting-edge traffic sensor, and PTV Flows, an AI-powered tool for incident visualisation and congestion forecasting.
We’re particularly excited to discuss our new Dynamic Multimodal Network Management concept.
We are developing an integrated management, operational planning, and decision support system that will empower cities and organisations to shape and organise mobility in the best way possible across all modes of transportation. By leveraging data from diverse sources and incorporating innovative technologies, such as AI and model-based methodologies, we will build a unique and connected ecosystem, enabling dynamic mobility planning and control – real-time, and long-term. It’s a holistic approach that will significantly enhance the way cities organise and manage transportation.
Umovity has its Mobility Tech Update coming up in October. What can we expect from that event?
Historically, PTV has unveiled its software updates in October, and this year, for the second time, we’ll present the latest innovations from both PTV and Econolite at the Mobility Tech Update. Users can look forward to cutting-edge advancements and new product integrations within the Umovity Tech Suite. Many of these updates will focus on how data and AI can drive traffic management and mobility.
We’re also advancing our cloud strategy, ensuring scalability and seamless collaboration across our product portfolio. It’s an exciting time for us, and I encourage everyone to follow the Umovity LinkedIn channel so they don’t miss the keynote and the major highlights.
Umovity’s slogan, "Mobility for Humanity," is quite inspiring. What motivates you personally in this field?
Before I joined PTV Group five years ago, I didn’t fully grasp the profound impact mobility has on our daily lives. We often take it for granted, but ensuring that everyone has access to safe, efficient, and smooth mobility is a significant challenge. Mobility is a fundamental human need—it allows us to work, meet with others, and access essential services like education and healthcare.
What excites me is the role technology plays in simplifying mobility’s complexities and adapting it to the diverse needs of people around the world. The idea that our solutions can increase efficiency, accessibility, safety, and sustainability—by reducing congestion, accidents, and pollution—is a powerful motivator for me.
At Umovity, our global teams share a common mission: to improve mobility for humanity through innovative technologies that make transportation safer, more sustainable, and more efficient.
Christian U. Haas will be speaking at the IRF World Congress plenary session on 16th October. Visit this page for a full overview of the Congress Programme.
If you would like to schedule a meeting with the Umovity team at the IRF World Congress, please contact the IRF team at irf2024@irfnet.ch.
Meet the Finalists of the IRF Start-up Label 2024 Edition
The International Road Federation (IRF) is excited to announce the three finalists for the 2024 IRF Start-up Label, who will present their innovative solutions at the IRF World Congress 2024, taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye from 15 to 18 October.
The IRF Start-up Label initiative, launched in 2021, is dedicated to supporting and promoting groundbreaking start-ups in the mobility sector. We look forward to seeing how these finalists will contribute to the future of transport systems and drive meaningful change in the industry.
Finalists of the IRF Start-up Label are selected through a rigorous evaluation process. Each application is meticulously reviewed by a panel of IRF experts, who assesses various factors including impact on key IRF areas, environmental and social implications, level of innovation, market traction, and the founders’ profiles.
Meet the finalists competing for the 2024 IRF Start-up Label:
TDRI Solutions
TDRI Solutions is a company dedicated to transforming road safety and infrastructure management through innovative digital solutions. They specialise in developing advanced traffic data analytics, intelligent transport systems, and smart city applications that help governments and organisations improve road safety, optimise traffic flow, and enhance urban mobility. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI and machine learning, TDRI Solutions aims to create safer and more efficient road networks globally.
Numerico Technologies
Numerico Technologies is a leader in developing advanced solutions for intelligent transportation systems. By harnessing AI, machine learning, and data analytics, they provide innovative tools to improve traffic management, enhance road safety, and support smart city planning. Their technology aims to create more efficient, sustainable, and safer transport networks by enabling better decision-making for urban mobility and infrastructure development.
RoadVision AI
RoadVision AI leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence to transform road safety and traffic management. Specialising in real-time road monitoring and predictive analytics, they offer solutions that detect hazards, optimise traffic flow, and support infrastructure maintenance. By providing actionable insights through AI-driven technologies, RoadVision AI aims to make roads safer and more efficient, contributing to the development of smart, resilient transportation systems.
Empowering Road Professionals in Uganda: IRF Certifies a New Set of Road Safety Auditors
In a significant step towards improving road safety in Uganda, a new group of professionals has earned international certification as road safety auditors, thanks to a transformative initiative led by the International Road Federation (IRF) with support from the TotalEnergies Foundation. Designed to strengthen road infrastructure safety in Africa and Asia, this initiative involves delivering comprehensive Road Safety Audit training and certification annually for the next three years, with initial focus countries being Uganda, Tanzania, and India.
The Uganda training, which took place in Kampala from 19th to 30th August 2024 and was delivered by IRF Lead Trainer Miguel Angel Serrano Santos, gathered participants from across the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda National Road Agency (UNRA), Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and private sector. The pre-selection of participants based on specific professional criteria, ensured the group was both skilled and strategically positioned to make an impact on Uganda’s road safety infrastructure.
“With Uganda grappling with increasing road traffic incidents, the programme couldn't be more timely” said one of the participants. Over the course of 60 hours of teaching, participants undertook an intensive curriculum, combining theoretical lessons with real-world application. Fieldwork involved auditing active road projects, giving trainees hands-on experience in identifying hazards and proposing solutions aimed at reducing accident risks.
The training's scope extended beyond the classroom, focusing on empowering professionals to apply these skills in their day-to-day roles. Graduates are now equipped not only with international certification but with a deeper understanding of how to foster safer road conditions across Uganda’s diverse transport networks.
“The training is in line with the Government's Road Safety Action Plan. This training will have an impactful experience for this team. On behalf of Government and on my own behalf, I wish to commend IRF for this initiative. The Ministry looks forward to more partnerships and collaboration in such areas so as to build capacity for our local people” said Mr Katushabe, Commissioner, Ministry of Works and Transport.
"Road safety audits are a powerful tool to prevent crashes before they happen," said Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the IRF. "By training and certifying professionals in Uganda and in other key regions, we are equipping them with the expertise needed to create safer roads. These auditors will play a critical role in improving road safety infrastructure, ultimately saving lives and reducing the economic burden of road crashes."
After a successful delivery of the training in Tanzania, the programme heads next to India in November 2024.
As the IRF continues to expand its reach, the long-term goal of the initiative is clear: to build a network of skilled professionals who can proactively address road safety challenges in their countries. By empowering these newly certified auditors, Uganda is taking a critical step towards reducing road accidents and fatalities. With continued training and collaboration, the programme holds the promise of fostering safer, more resilient road networks—not only in Uganda but across the regions where it operates. Through sustained effort and investment in local expertise, the IRF is helping to shape a future where safer roads become the norm, not the exception.
Sustainable Transport in Africa: IRF Highlights Progress at Arusha Conference
The International Conference on Sustainable Transportation & Smart Innovations (ICTA 2024), held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 29 to 31 July 2024, marked a pivotal moment to discuss the advancement of transportation across Africa. Organised by The Global Transportation Professional Networking Group and hosted by the Ministry of Works in Tanzania, alongside the Tanzania Roads Association (TARA) and the Tanzania Transportation Technology Transfer Centre (TanT2 Centre), the conference set new standards in the sector.
Under the theme “Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Transport Systems for Global Economic Growth,” the conference attracted a wide range of professionals from transport sector bodies, funding agencies, the academia, and international organisations, including the International Road Federation (IRF).
Addressing the distinguished audience during the plenary, Susanna Zammataro, Director General of the International Road Federation (IRF), showcased examples of how IRF is concretely building capacity to drive change and deliver Impact in Africa and beyond. Zammataro outlined outcomes of key road safety initiatives, including the Ten-Step Project in Tanzania, which has significantly enhanced road safety infrastructure and earned the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award. The project’s success is now being extended to Senegal and other countries in the African continent and beyond.
IRF DG mentioned the partnership with the TotalEnergies Foundation, to support and facilitate the engagement of private sector through the formation of Private Sector Road Safety Coalitions. Road safety coalitions have currently been launched in Morocco, Pakistan, Zambia, Tanzania, India, and other regions, fast-tracking collaborative efforts for safer roads.
As to capacity building, the leading efforts of IRF around Road Safety Audits were highlighted. The IRF is training road safety auditors in Tanzania, Uganda, and India for the next three years to improve road infrastructure safety.
The IRF DG spoke about the IRF Innovation Committee and the opportunities it offers to exchange, learn and connect on key areas such as climate and decarbonisation, safety, asset management, and funding resilience, crucial for effective progress and for securing resources.
Finally, a point on data with the release of the IRF World Road Statistics which thanks to support from the TotalEnergies Foundation and Michelin Corporate Foundation, are now available to everyone in open data policy. This has unlocked the way to new collaborations, with IRF data now being used to support various initiatives and institutions.
In her closing remarks, Zammataro highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in tackling global transportation challenges. She invited attendees to the IRF World Congress 2024 in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 15 to 18 October 2024, noting, "The theme, 'Connecting to Empower Mobility: Roads as Enablers of a Sustainable Future for All,' reflects exactly what our federation does and what roads are meant to achieve."
Urban Planning and Road Safety: IRF Contributes to High-level Workshop in Riyadh
As cities worldwide confront the challenges of growing populations, traffic congestion, and rising accident rates, integrating urban planning with transportation systems has become increasingly critical. This issue was at the forefront of the “Urban Planning and Road Safety” workshop, held on 23-25 July 2024, at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Organised by NAUSS and the European Traffic Police Network (ROADPOL), the event brought together experts to explore how strategic urban design can enhance road safety and mitigate traffic risks in Arab cities.
The workshop addressed key themes such as the role of urban planning in improving road safety, comprehensive transportation policies, and the responsibilities of stakeholders in ensuring safer roads. Participants also examined international best practices and cutting-edge technologies aimed at enhancing road networks and traffic performance across the region.
The International Road Federation (IRF) played a key role in the event, underlining its dedication to global road safety and sustainable transportation solutions. Gonzalo Alcaraz, Deputy Director General of the IRF, moderated a session that explored how urban planning can be leveraged to improve road safety and manage traffic more effectively. This session provided valuable insights into practical approaches for mitigating traffic risks in major urban areas.
In addition, Alcaraz delivered a presentation during a separate session on “Innovative Mobility Solutions: CCAM’s Contribution to Safer Roads and Sustainable Cities,” highlighting cutting-edge solutions to promote safety and sustainability in modern cities.
The IRF’s involvement further solidified its leadership in advancing global road safety, fostering collaboration between urban planners, policymakers, and safety professionals to ensure safer, more efficient road networks worldwide.
Release of the 61st Edition of the IRF World Road Statistics 2024: Empowering Decision-Makers with Critical Global Transport Data
The International Road Federation (IRF) is proud to release the 61st edition of the IRF World Road Statistics (WRS), arguably the most complete and latest source of data for road transport. This edition encompasses data for the years 2017 - 2022, for over 200 countries and territories, and over 200 indicators.
The IRF World Road Statistics are available for free through the IRF WRS Data Warehouse online platform, thanks to the generous support of the TotalEnergies Foundation and the Michelin Corporate Foundation.
Through the IRF WRS Data Warehouse, users can seamlessly explore and analyse data, aiding evidence-based decision-making at every level. Users can, for instance, compare data across countries and time periods, analyse multiple metrics for a single country, access interactive road safety dashboards, and download data in various formats, among many other features.
With the transport sector facing increasing challenges such as climate resilience and road safety, access to reliable and current data has never been more essential. The WRS equips policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders with the critical insights necessary for informed decision-making, effective policy design, and sustainable innovation globally.
- Comprehensive data on road networks, vehicle fleets, motorisation trends, and traffic volumes.
- Insights into investment trends in road infrastructure and maintenance.
- Road safety data and dashboards highlighting global and regional trends.
- … and much more!
To celebrate the release of this new edition, the IRF will host a Special Session during the IRF World Congress 2024, which is taking place in Istanbul, from 15 to 18 October 2024. The session, titled "Transport Data Partnerships for Impact", will take place on 15 October from 14:30 to 16:00. This session provides a unique opportunity for attendees to:
- Gain an overview of the WRS 2024 edition and its findings.
- Explore IRF's data collection processes and the power of the IRF WRS Data Warehouse platform.
- Hear from high-level speakers from organisations such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), High Volume Transport (HVT), ESRA (E-survey of Road users’ Attitudes), and the Climate Compatible Growth Programme (CCG), who will share their experiences on the importance of transport data and collaboration in driving meaningful change.
The session will provide a valuable platform for dialogue on how partnerships can harness transport data to make a significant impact on global mobility, safety, and sustainability.
For more information about the IRF World Congress 2024 and this session, visit the Congress website.
With the support of
