RESKILLING’s 1st Annual Virtual Stakeholder Event Charts a Path from Automation to Workforce Readiness in Europe’s Transport Future
On 16 December 2025, the RESKILLING project successfully hosted its first Annual Virtual Stakeholder Event under the theme “From Automation to Employment: Skills for Europe’s Transport Future”, bringing together experts, practitioners and policy influencers from across the transport ecosystem for an engaging online dialogue on the future of work in the era of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM).
The event offered a comprehensive overview of the RESKILLING initiative—funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme—and highlighted its mission to support Europe’s workforce and transport sector through the profound transformations brought by automation. Participants heard about the project’s objectives, early findings from research and workshops, and the opportunities for collaboration that lie ahead.
Stakeholders from industry, policy, research, training providers, labour organisations and international bodies explored key themes shaping the sector: how CCAM is redefining jobs and skills, where training and reskilling gaps exist, and what coordinated approaches can best prepare workers for future roles.
Highlights from the discussions included:
- A structured classification of CCAM-related job families and skills that will shape future workforce planning.
- A look into ReSKILLING's skills matrix, linking CCAM job families to relevant skills, alongside employment forecasting by sector and an analysis of future scenarios and working conditions.
- Perspectives from labour unions and policy experts from the WeTransform Project, on adapting to CCAM-induced changes in employment.
- Emerging training modules for enhanced CCAM-specific skills, including insights on reskilling and upskilling needs.
- Voices from international partners, broadening the dialogue on inclusive and future-oriented workforce strategies.
In addition to its rich content sessions, the event featured live polling and breakout discussions, enabling participants to interact meaningfully with speakers and each other, and ensure that stakeholder feedback feeds directly into ongoing RESKILLING activities.
A core outcome of the meeting was the introduction of the RESKILLING Stakeholder Community, a platform designed to foster continuous exchange, co-creation and collaborative action long after the event. Stakeholders are now invited to build on this momentum and help shape the project’s next milestones as Europe navigates the transition to a resilient, skilled and future-ready transport workforce.
A warm thank you to all participants and speakers whose contributions enriched the discussions and underscored the shared commitment to ensuring that automation and innovation go hand-in-hand with opportunity, inclusion and sustainable employment.
Photo credit: ReSKILLING
Photo credit: ReSKILLING
IRF and Partners Announce Voluntary Commitment Under the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport
The International Road Federation (IRF), with a global coalition of partners, announced a voluntary commitment to support the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) to accelerate the transformation towards inclusive, safe, green and efficient road systems for all.
Building on shared expertise and a unified vision for sustainable mobility, the coalition aims to help countries strengthen the way roads are planned, designed and managed to meet the social, environmental and economic challenges of the decade ahead.
The commitment is endorsed by Arup, Australia National Transport Research Organisation, Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, International Federation of Consulting Engineers, International Road Assessment Programme, ORIS Materials Intelligence, and World Wildlife Fund.
Roads are the arteries of global mobility, connecting people, goods and opportunities.
They are key enabler for economic growth, resilient infrastructure, trade, global supply chains, climate action, health promotion, poverty reduction and access to education. How road systems are planned, built and managed will determine whether the Decade of Sustainable Transport achieves its goals.
In many developing regions, rural communities remain disconnected, while urban roads give little priority to people walking, cycling or using public transport. Each year, around 1.19 million people die on the roads and millions more are seriously injured, with vulnerable users such as pedestrians, cyclists and children disproportionately affected. Wildlife–vehicle collisions are also major contributors to roadway deaths and injuries, while causing biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Meanwhile, road transport contributes nearly 74% of all transport CO₂ emissions and faces growing exposure to climate hazards, causing disruptions and economic loss. In many road networks, congestion also continues to erode productivity, undermining both efficiency and quality of life.
Our commitment will help translate the vision of the Decade into concrete action. At its core stands the Roadmaps for Change series, which will outline policy actions, technical standards and tools, replicable practices, innovation and indicators of progress for roads that are:
- Inclusive roads that improve safe rural access, connect isolated communities to essential services and rebalance urban space to prioritise active and collective mobility.
- Safe roads aligned with the targets of the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety, embedding evidence-based safety principles and interventions into planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation.
- Green roads that advance decarbonisation and resilience, enabling low-emission vehicles and fuels, using sustainable materials, applying whole-life carbon management frameworks and biodiversity-sensitive planning using nature-based solutions.
- Efficient and smart roads that maximise value, safety and performance through digitalisation, automation and intelligent operations, supported by procurement and contractual frameworks that enable data-driven maintenance, logistics and traffic flow.
Complementing the Roadmaps, a capacity-building programme will offer trainings and peer-learning activities to strengthen institutional capacity, with a special focus on road and transport public authorities. The programme will support stakeholders, especially from low- and middle-income countries, in taking ownership of their skills development strategies and instruments. The IRF Global Transport Knowledge Portal (gTKP) will be refreshed and serve as a dedicated resource hub, providing access to tools, case studies and learning materials that enable road agencies and professionals to put the roadmaps into practice.
Vanuatu Appoints TRL to Implement Climate-Resilient iROADS Road Asset Management software
The Government of Vanuatu has selected TRL to implement and roll out its iROADS Road Asset Management system to strengthen the country’s transport network. This initiative marks an important step towards building a more climate-resilient, sustainable, and well-maintained road system, helping Vanuatu plan, manage, and protect its infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and west of Fiji, Vanuatu is an island nation with a road network of approximately 2,900 kilometres, the majority of which are unsealed and vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather. Strengthening this network is essential for national connectivity, disaster response, and economic development.
Under the new commission, funded by the World Bank under the Vanuatu Climate Resilient Transport Project, TRL will collaborate closely with the Vanuatu Public Works Department to enhance the climate resilience of the national road system and optimise the maintenance process. The programme will also help to ensure the country has the capacity to respond effectively to future crises or emergencies affecting transport infrastructure.
The project involves the full configuration and deployment of the iROADS system, comprehensive data collection across Vanuatu’s core road network, and the generation of multi-year maintenance and investment plans to support sustainable decision-making. A critical component of the work will be the institutionalisation of asset management practices and extensive training to build local technical capability within Vanuatu’s transport sector.
TRL will be supported by partners NTRO (National Transport Research Organisation) and Experion Technologies, whose expertise in infrastructure management and digital systems respectively will strengthen the delivery of this ambitious programme. Together, the partners will provide an integrated approach that combines advanced technology, field data, and local knowledge to improve the country’s infrastructure resilience.
As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, Vanuatu faces frequent challenges from tropical cyclones, earthquakes, flooding, sea level rise and coastal inundation which can exacerbate these problems. The introduction of iROADS will enable the government to adopt a more data-driven approach to managing its road assets, prioritising maintenance and investment where it is most needed, and strengthening long-term resilience against natural disasters.
“We are proud to partner with the Government of Vanuatu in delivering sustainable, data-driven solutions for their road network,” said Subu Kamal, Head of Product for TRL Software. “This project reflects TRL’s ongoing commitment to helping island nations build climate-resilient infrastructure that supports communities, trade, and disaster preparedness.”
Andre Iautipu, Acting Director: Public Works Department, MIPU, Vanuatu said “This Initiative with TRL marks an important milestone in delivering on the goals of Vanuatu 2030, The People’s Plan, our National Sustainable Development Plan for 2016–2030. By implementing the iROADS system, we are advancing our vision for a stable, sustainable, and prosperous Vanuatu. A resilient and well-managed road network underpins national connectivity, supports inclusive economic growth, and strengthens our capacity to respond to the increasing impacts of climate change. The iROADS project will help us make data-driven decisions that secure a better future for our people.”
This collaboration will establish iROADS as a key component of Vanuatu’s national transport strategy and demonstrate how evidence-based planning can support climate adaptation and inclusive economic growth across the Pacific region.
Note to editors:
About NTRO
The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) collaborates with all levels of government, transport agencies, consultants, and private sector organisations on all aspects of transport and mobility in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region. NTRO is innovation driven, delivering innovative transport solutions that are safer, more sustainable and value-for-money.
About Experion Technologies
Experion Technologies is an AI-native Product Engineering and Digital Transformation company with 1,650+ digital experts and a strong presence across Europe. With five global offices, Experion has partnered with 500+ clients and delivered 350+ products across 37 countries.
The company works with leading organizations across Healthcare, Banking and Financial Services, Insurance, Retail, Transport & Logistics, and EdTech, helping them modernize legacy systems, adopt cloud technologies, and build resilient, future-ready digital products.
Experion’s excellence has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan, Clutch, Inc. 5000, Everest Group, the Dallas 100 by SMU Cox, DBJ’s Fast 50, and an Honourable Mention at Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards. Experion is also a Great Place to Work–certified company for four consecutive years.
About World Bank
The World Bank Group is a multilateral development institution whose mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a liveable planet. It provides financing, technical assistance and knowledge to support projects that promote sustainable economic development and improve quality of life in low- and middle-income countries.
TRL Delighted to Support Bangladesh Through Major World Bank and ADB-Funded Road Safety and Asset Management Programmes
TRL is pleased to be deepening its collaboration with national institutions in Bangladesh through a suite of flagship initiatives funded by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). These programmes reflect a shared commitment to improving road safety, modernising transport systems, and adopting smarter, technology-driven approaches to managing vital transport assets across one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Under the World Bank funded Bangladesh Road Safety Project, TRL is providing Project Assistance Consultancy to four of the country’s key transport and public safety bodies: the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), the Bangladesh Police, and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). TRL is pleased to support these progressive agencies as they work to create safer highways, enhance traffic enforcement, modernise driver training, and strengthen post-crash emergency care.
TRL is also proud to be implementing its advanced road asset management platform, iROADS, for the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), which oversees more than 350,000 kilometres of rural roads and thousands of bridges. Introducing iROADS will help LGED adopt a fully data-driven, proactive approach to planning and maintaining rural transport infrastructure, contributing to safer, more reliable and climate-resilient connectivity for communities throughout the country.
Further achievements have been delivered under ADB-funded programmes. TRL has rolled out its internationally recognised crash data management system, iMAAP, for RHD, giving Bangladesh a modern platform for evidence-based policy, enforcement, and engineering decisions. In addition, TRL has developed a comprehensive new Road Safety Audit Manual for RHD, currently under management review, which will help engineers integrate safety into road planning and design in line with international standards.
Collectively, these initiatives represent a positive and coordinated effort to address Bangladesh’s most pressing road safety and infrastructure management challenges. From highways to rural roads, and from crash data systems to emergency medical response, TRL is pleased to support national partners in strengthening governance, enhancing public safety, and ensuring more effective use of transport investments.
Tony Mathew, Head of Delivery and Operations for TRL said: “Bangladesh is taking bold steps to improve road safety and infrastructure resilience. TRL is proud to be working alongside the World Bank, ADB, and the Government of Bangladesh to bring international best practice, proven digital tools, and practical expertise to projects that will make a real difference for millions of people.”
About the Organisations Mentioned
World Bank
The World Bank Group is a multilateral development institution whose mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a liveable planet. It provides financing, technical assistance and knowledge to support projects that promote sustainable economic development and improve quality of life in low- and middle-income countries.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank dedicated to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB supports its developing member countries through loans, technical assistance, grants and equity investments that promote social and economic development.
Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Bangladesh
The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) is an agency of the Government of Bangladesh under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. Established in its current form in 1962, RHD is responsible for planning, constructing and maintaining the country’s major road and bridge network, including national and regional highways.
Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Bangladesh
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is a key public sector agency in Bangladesh responsible for planning, designing and implementing rural, urban and small-scale infrastructure projects. LGED plays a central role in building and maintaining rural roads, bridges and other local infrastructure that enhance nationwide connectivity and support socio-economic development.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) is the national regulatory body for road transport. Operating under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, BRTA is responsible for vehicle registration, driver licensing, setting and enforcing road transport regulations, and providing other transport-related public services across Bangladesh.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Bangladesh
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) is one of the main agencies of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh. DGHS is responsible for implementing national health services and programmes, overseeing public health facilities, and supporting disease prevention and health promotion efforts throughout the country.
Bangladesh Police
Bangladesh Police is the country’s national law enforcement agency, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
PE "Roads of Serbia” launched two new educational campaign
PE “Roads of Serbia” continues with activities regarding the improvement of traffic safety and systematically impacts the rise of awareness of traffic participants.
With the beginning of the Winter Service 2025/2026 PE “Roads of Serbia” promoted two new educational campaigns with the support of the Ministry of construction, traffic and infrastructure and the Ministry of Interior – Traffic Police Directorate as follows:
- “Use winter equipment! Don't let winter take the wheel.”
- “Winter service works for you! Drive patiently”
- "USE WINTER EQUIPMENT! DON’T LET WINTER TAKE THE WHEEL“
PE “Roads of Serbia”, with the campaign “Use winter equipment! Don't let winter take the wheel”, aims to impact traffic participants to use winter equipment stipulated by the Law on Road Traffic Safety and by-laws, in the period from November 1st to April 1st if there is snow, ice or black ice on the road surface.
The campaign is being implemented to highlight the importance of winter equipment and the possible consequences of not using it.
The educational video you can view and download on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFonsBSPCTc
- "WINTER SERVICE WORKS FOR YOU! DRIVE PATIENTLY“
PE “Roads of Serbia” with the campaign “Winter service works for you! Drive patiently”, aims to influence the behavior of traffic participants and incite them to be cautious and adapt their driving so as not to interfere with the work of winter maintenance vehicles.
During snow clearing and salting interventions on state roads of IA category, the vehicles in question move independently or in pairs.
Road users must not overtake winter maintenance vehicles, as their irresponsible behaviour could cause a traffic accident.
The educational video you can view and download on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkcY6tSG8Fw
Bearing in mind that a large number of traffic participants in our country doesn’t comply to all the safety measures in accordance to the law regulations, well designed media campaigns can have a significant contribution in changing their behavior and overall decrease in the number and consequences of traffic accidents.
In addition to undisputedly positive influence on the behavior of the drivers, the campaigns also affirm an active role that PE „Roads of Serbia“has in increasing the traffic safety.
By conducting the educational campaigns, trough the education of all traffic participants we rise awareness of the problems of traffic injuries and fatalities, as awell as a decrease of said problems.
PE „Roads of Serbia“ appeals to all the media and expert public to support the action and join the promotion of the campaign in order to decrease the number of traffic accidents and save human lives.
The IRF Annual Conference Concludes: Session Summaries Now Available
The IRF Annual Conference has officially concluded after three days of forward-looking discussions on how road systems must evolve to become more inclusive, safe, green and efficient.
We are pleased to announce that session summaries and full recordings from the IRF Annual Conference 2025 are now available.
The conference brought together leaders from government, international organisations, academia, industry and civil society, welcoming hundreds of participants from 84 countries across nine online sessions under the theme, “Reimagining Roads for Inclusive, Safe, Green and Efficient Mobility”.
Climate pressures, rapid technological change, shifting public expectations and the need for more equitable access are reshaping national and city priorities worldwide. The Annual Conference explored this transformation through themes such as resilient infrastructure, safer and healthier roads, equitable access, digitalisation and automation, sustainable materials and smarter city operations.
Anchoring this year’s conference discussions was the imminent launch of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport, taking place tomorrow (10 December). This context underscored a central message woven throughout the conference: the road sector must begin reimagining roads not as static pieces of infrastructure, but as systems shaped by people, pressures and possibilities. We invite you to stay tuned for IRF’s special announcement, where we will present our voluntary commitment to support and contribute to the UN Decade.
Special Highlights
Professor George Yannis was honoured with the IRF 2025 Personality of the Year Award, recognising his exceptional leadership, scientific contribution and global impact in advancing road safety and sustainable mobility. Read more
IRF 2025 Startup Label finalists showcasing breakthrough innovations ranging from digital road safety tools to sustainable construction materials. EcoPals GmbH was awarded the IRF Startup Label 2025 for its recycled polymer asphalt additive that reduces emissions while improving pavement performance. Read more
Save the Date
Thank you to all speakers, participants, partners and sponsors for helping make this year’s conference so dynamic and insightful. We are excited to see you in Geneva on 16 - 18 November 2026 for the next IRF Annual Conference.
Ecopals Awarded the IRF Start-Up Label 2025 at the IRF Annual Conference
Ecopals, a German innovator in sustainable road construction materials, has been awarded the IRF Start-Up Label 2025, announced yesterday, 4 December, during the closing plenary of the IRF Annual Conference.
The recognition highlights Ecopals’ contribution to a more resource-efficient and environmentally responsible future for road infrastructure.
Born out of a university project and strengthened through scientific collaboration with institutions such as the Fraunhofer ICT and the University of Kassel, Ecopals has rapidly emerged as a leading voice in circular, climate-conscious road construction. The company transforms non-recyclable plastic waste into EcoFlakes, an asphalt additive that replaces virgin plastics and a portion of crude oil-based bitumen.
This approach not only upcycles waste but meaningfully reduces the carbon footprint of road construction by up to 30% while enhancing road durability.
EcoFlakes improve the performance of asphalt through greater resistance to rutting, extended service life, and reduced bitumen emissions, offering a compelling alternative for road authorities and contractors seeking sustainable materials without compromising quality or safety. Ecopals’ work with the Fraunhofer Institute ensures that the product meets the rigorous technical and legal standards required for road construction in Europe.
The IRF Start-Up Label, now in its 5th edition, reflects the International Road Federation’s commitment to advancing innovation across the global road sector. This year’s call for applications drew submissions from five continents, centred particularly on sustainability, efficiency and road safety.
The finalists from this year include Abley SafeCurves, Blue Eye Highway, Bitchem Asphalt Technologies Ltd., DataMobilize and Ernkate Limited.
Ecopals’ selection as an IRF Start-Up Label recipient reinforces the importance of sustainable materials in shaping the future of road construction and underscores how innovation can transform global challenges like plastic waste into practical, high-value infrastructure solutions.
George Yannis Awarded IRF Personality of the Year 2025 at IRF Annual Conference
The International Road Federation (IRF) has honoured Professor George Yannis with the IRF Personality of the Year Award 2025, recognising his exceptional leadership, scientific contribution and global impact in advancing road safety and sustainable mobility.
The award was presented on 2 December during the IRF Annual Conference, continuing a distinguished tradition that dates back to 1951 of celebrating individuals whose work has helped shape safer, more inclusive and more sustainable transport systems worldwide.
Professor Yannis, a leading figure in Traffic and Safety Engineering, serves as Professor and Director of the Traffic Engineering Laboratory at the School of Civil Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). His expertise centres on road safety, data science and intelligent mobility systems.
As the head of the NTUA Road Safety Observatory, he oversees a globally recognised centre of excellence known for its data-driven insights, innovative research and contributions to improving mobility safety in Greece, across Europe and internationally.
Over his more than 30-year career, Professor Yannis has made an extraordinary contribution to the transport sector. He has participated in more than 345 research and engineering projects and studies, while actively supporting critical policy and scientific initiatives through his involvement in numerous committees of the European Commission and international organisations, including the IRF, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Health Organisation - WHO, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), the European Road Federation (ERF), World Road Association - PIARC, the Union Internationale des Transports Publics (UITP), European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), European Conference of Transport Research Institutes (ECTRI), the World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR) and the Transport Research Board (TRB).
His academic influence is reflected in a remarkable publication record of over 1,000 scientific works, including 285 peer-reviewed journal papers, widely cited around the world.
Beyond academia and institutional leadership, Professor Yannis has also demonstrated an inspiring personal commitment to safer cities. In November 2024, he completed an extraordinary challenge: running 30 marathons in 30 months to promote the adoption of city-wide 30 km/h speed limits.
This initiative has amplified awareness of low-speed urban environments as a cornerstone for safer, greener and more liveable communities worldwide.
By awarding Professor Yannis the Personality of the Year 2025, the IRF celebrates not only a distinguished professional career, but a lifelong dedication to making mobility safer for all—through science, advocacy and personal action.
Hatko Sound Barriers Achieves First Production in Portugal: A Major Milestone in Circular Infrastructure
Portugal, Spain | 25 November 2025 - Hatko Sound Barriers has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability journey. Under its long-term “2 Pollutions 1 Solution” strategy, the company has successfully completed the first production of its recycled rubber noise barrier in Portugal, a breakthrough that reinforces its commitment to circularity and localised manufacturing.
This accomplishment goes beyond the creation of a new product. It demonstrates that local production using local end-of-life tyres (ELTs) is not only achievable but scalable. Hatko’s model shows that sustainable innovation can be integrated into regional infrastructure systems without compromising quality or performance.
The 2 Pollutions 1 Solution initiative aims to address two critical environmental challenges simultaneously: the growing accumulation of tyre waste and the rise of noise pollution, particularly in transport-heavy areas.
Millions of tyres reach end-of-life each year, creating a global waste management challenge. At the same time, noise pollution is increasingly recognised as one of the most harmful environmental stressors affecting public health and quality of life.
Hatko’s solution transforms these local tyre waste streams into high-performance, durable noise barrier panels. Through advanced recycling processes, acoustic engineering, and rigorous testing, the company has developed a barrier that meets modern infrastructure standards while significantly reducing environmental impact.
The Portugal-produced barrier reflects years of R&D, collaboration, and engineering refinement.
The start of production in Portugal is a major step toward Hatko’s vision of enabling localised circular economy models.
By producing noise barriers directly in the regions where end-of-life tyres are collected, the company helps: reduce transportation-related emissions, minimise landfill waste, strengthen local supply chains, support green job creation and deliver sustainable solutions to municipalities and road operators
This approach ensures that environmental, economic, and social benefits remain within the local community.
he Portugal milestone is the first of several planned expansions. Hatko Sound Barriers intends to scale its local-production model across Europe and other global regions, enabling each market to convert its own tyre waste into valuable infrastructure materials.
The company’s long-term vision is clear: to turn tyre waste into high-performance, sustainable noise barriers wherever it is generated.
Hatko Sound Barriers recognises this achievement as an important early step in a larger transformation. Supported by strong partnerships, innovative engineering, and a commitment to environmental responsibility, the company will continue advancing solutions that help build quieter, cleaner and more sustainable communities.
