Director General Alcaraz Shares IRF's Global Road Safety Vision at ICTA 2026
7 July - 9 July | Windhoek, Namibia - The International Road Federation (IRF) joined transport leaders, policymakers, researchers and infrastructure professionals from across Africa and beyond at the 11th International Conference on (Sustainable) Transportation in Africa (ICTA2026).
Held under the theme "Sustainable, Safe and Smart Transport, Logistics and Tourism for Economic Growth", the conference provided a platform for advancing dialogue on the policies, technologies and partnerships shaping the future of transport across the continent.
In his Global Remarks, DG Alcaraz highlighted the launch of the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026–2035) as an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation around safer, more resilient and more sustainable transport systems.
He emphasised that road safety must be embedded across every stage of the transport lifecycle - from planning and design to construction, operation and maintenanc - and that achieving meaningful progress will require coordinated action between governments, development institutions, academia and the private sector.
Drawing on IRF's global experience, DG Alcaraz outlined how IRF is helping countries translate international commitments into practical action. He showcased the Roadmaps for Change initiative, which provides implementation guidance for developing inclusive, safe, green and efficient road systems. He presented the IRF's Ten-Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure, a framework that supports countries in strengthening national policies, modernising road design standards, building institutional capacity and improving infrastructure safety management.
He also highlighted the critical role of professional capacity building in improving road safety outcomes. Through specialised training programmes and the IRF Road Safety Auditors Registry, IRF is helping develop the skills, accreditation systems and technical expertise needed to deliver safer infrastructure and stronger national road safety institutions.
Looking ahead, DG Alcaraz underscored the growing importance of data, digital innovation and international knowledge exchange. He pointed to initiatives such as the IRF World Road Statistics, AI-enabled road safety projects and collaborative research programmes that equip policymakers with the evidence needed to benchmark progress, identify risks and make more informed investment decisions.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate how international partnerships can accelerate progress towards safer roads while supporting broader sustainable transport objectives.
Connecting SDG 9 and Biodiversity: IRF Joins Global HLPF Discussion
7 July | New York, USA - As the international community reviews progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 at the 2026 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the International Road Federation (IRF) is contributing to a timely discussion on how resilient transport infrastructure and biodiversity objectives can be advanced together.
IRF Head of Advocacy and Outreach Alice Yiu participated in the hybrid side event, the Nexus of Transport Infrastructure and Biodiversity in SDG 9 and Beyond, co-hosted by the IRF, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low-Carbon Transport. The event brought together experts from the transport, conservation, finance and policy sectors to explore how infrastructure development can better support both economic growth and environmental resilience.
The discussion comes at an important moment as SDG 9 - focused on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation - is undergoing an in-depth review at HLPF 2026. Participants examined how transport and biodiversity objectives can be better aligned before 2030 while informing the design of future global development frameworks beyond the current Sustainable Development Goals.
Alice outlined IRF's commitment to the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, its collaboration with WWF through the Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development (GRID) Integrated Program and the evolving role of the road sector in integrating biodiversity into infrastructure planning and delivery. She also addressed why biodiversity should be considered a core responsibility for road agencies and how nature-positive road design can strengthen the resilience, sustainability and long-term performance of transport networks.
The programme combines expert panel discussions with facilitated breakout sessions, where participants will develop recommendations in two areas: accelerating progress before 2030 and shaping integrated transport and biodiversity goals for the post-2030 agenda. These recommendations will contribute to ongoing discussions within the UN system and support broader consultations on a future Global Goal for Transport.
The event forms part of the Global Environment Facility-funded Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development (GRID) Integrated Program, an initiative that is strengthening collaboration between the transport and conservation communities.
Through this partnership, IRF continues to advocate for infrastructure policies that deliver safe, resilient and efficient transport systems while protecting and restoring natural ecosystems.
One Year On: IRF Joins FEDORA Consortium to Drive the Project's Next Phase
30 June - 1 July | Budapest, Hungary - International Road Federation (IRF) Project Manager Iona Kirkpatrick participated in the 2nd General Assembly of the FEDORA Project in Budapest, Hungary, joining consortium partners to review progress and shape the next phase of the Horizon Europe initiative.
Held one year after the project's launch, the General Assembly provided an opportunity for partners to assess achievements across the project's work packages, exchange technical updates and coordinate upcoming pilot, deployment and impact activities.
Kirkpatrick presented updates on IRF's contributions to several key work packages, highlighting the organisation's role in ensuring that FEDORA's research delivers practical value for transport authorities, policymakers and the wider mobility community.
As part of 'Dissemination, Scale-up, Standardisation and Exploitation', IRF outlined progress in strengthening the project's communication, stakeholder engagement and knowledge transfer activities. The presentation highlighted achievements including growing visibility through the FEDORA website and social media channels, participation in conferences and industry events, scientific dissemination and preparations for future workshops and international cooperation activities.
Kirkpatrick also shared updates on IRF supporting international cooperation and transferability activities. Among the upcoming milestones is a dedicated FEDORA workshop at the IRF 2026 Annual Conference in Geneva, alongside engagement at other major mobility events to expand the project's reach and encourage wider uptake of its innovations.
In addition, IRF formally launched work on 'Lessons Learnt, Deployment Roadmap and Policy Recommendations'. The presentation introduced an initial regulatory analysis covering the project's six pilot countries -Austria, Spain (Basque Country), Cyprus, Denmark, Italy and Hungary - to identify common frameworks, national differences and best practices that will inform future policy recommendations.
As demonstrations progress, IRF will work with partners to evaluate the transferability of FEDORA's solutions and develop recommendations for policymakers at European, national and local levels.
IRF Lead Trainer Miguel-Angel Serrano Santos Appointed Chair of the Society of Road Safety Auditors
22–23 June | Manchester, United Kingdom - The International Road Federation (IRF) congratulates Eur Ing Miguel-Angel Serrano Santos, IRF Lead Trainer and internationally respected road safety expert, on his appointment as Chair of the Society of Road Safety Auditors (SoRSA), following the Society’s Annual General Meeting.
Miguel-Angel assumes the role as Libby Sands, one of SoRSA’s founding members and a longstanding advocate for professional excellence in road safety auditing, formally retired from the Society. The handover marks an important transition for the organisation as it continues to strengthen professional standards and advance safer road infrastructure across the United Kingdom and beyond.
The 2026 SoRSA Conference and Annual General Meeting brought together road safety practitioners, engineers, auditors and policymakers from across the industry. Participants gained the latest insights into industry standards for conducting road safety audits, explored emerging approaches to improving safety for vulnerable road users through interactive workshops, and contributed to professional discussions shaping the future of the discipline. The event also provided valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration and continuing professional development as part of SoRSA and CIHT membership requirements.
Miguel-Angel brings more than two decades of international experience in transport planning, road safety, and traffic engineering to his new position. A Chartered Civil Engineer and graduate of the University of Granada in Spain, he has built a distinguished career spanning Europe, the Middle East and Africa, leading initiatives that have improved road safety performance and strengthened institutional capacity.
As Lead Trainer for the IRF, he has delivered internationally recognised training programmes in road safety and traffic management, equipping engineers, government officials and transportation professionals with practical tools to improve road safety outcomes. His expertise has supported projects across multiple continents, helping organisations implement effective safety strategies and sustainable transportation solutions.
In addition to his work with IRF, Miguel-Angel serves as Vice-President of ASEVI, the Spanish Association of Road Safety Auditors, and as Senior Road Safety Specialist for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), where he contributes to infrastructure development aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
His previous leadership positions include Road Safety Manager at Gloucestershire County Council in the United Kingdom, Technical Director with MSV Global in Qatar, Senior Road Safety Engineer for Ashghal, Qatar’s Public Works Authority, where he served as Road Safety Coordinator for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Road Safety Expert for Saudi Arabia’s National Road Safety Center, supporting the development of national road safety auditing frameworks.
Miguel-Angel holds several distinguished professional qualifications, including Chartered Engineer (CEng MICE), Chartered Manager (CMgr MCMI), Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (FCIHT), Fellow of the Society of Road Safety Auditors (FSoRSA), and Fellow of the Spanish Association of Road Safety Auditors (FASEVI).
His appointment as Chair of SoRSA reflects both his professional expertise and longstanding commitment to advancing safer roads through evidence-based auditing, capacity building and international collaboration. As road safety challenges continue to evolve, his leadership is expected to support SoRSA’s mission of promoting excellence in road safety auditing while strengthening the profession’s contribution to reducing crashes and saving lives.
Rethinking Congestion: How Innovation Is Unlocking Hidden Capacity in Road Networks
18 June | Online - The International Road Federation (IRF) convened infrastructure leaders, technology experts and road operators on 18 June for the latest edition of its Circle of Excellence webinar series, exploring how innovation is helping road agencies optimise infrastructure performance and improve traffic flow without relying solely on costly network expansion.
Hosted by IRF Head of Advocacy and Outreach Alice Yiu, the webinar, “Optimising Infrastructure Performance and Traffic Flow through Innovation,” showcased award-winning projects and emerging solutions that are transforming how transport infrastructure is planned, managed and operated.
The webinar featured presentations from recipients of the IRF 2025 Awards, each demonstrating a distinct approach to improving mobility, safety and operational efficiency.
Reconnecting Communities Through Underground Infrastructure
Zhang Zhihang, Senior Engineer at the Beijing General Municipal Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd, presented the Beijing Eastern Sixth Ring Road Underground Reconstruction Project.
The project relocates a 16.3-kilometre section of the Sixth Ring Road underground, addressing long-standing challenges associated with noise, emissions and urban fragmentation. By moving traffic below ground, the project has enabled the creation of a 14-kilometre linear park above the tunnel, transforming former roadway space into a new public amenity.
Beyond its engineering achievements, the project demonstrates how transport infrastructure can support broader urban development goals by improving connectivity, enhancing environmental quality and creating valuable public space.
Active Traffic Management Delivers Capacity Gains
Sun Fuling, Dean of the Digital and Intelligent Transportation Research Institute at CIECC Huake Transportation Construction Technology Co., Ltd., presented the implementation of Active Traffic Management (ATM) on the Nansha Bridge, a critical transport link within the Greater Bay Area.
Faced with growing traffic volumes, congestion and safety challenges, the project introduced a closed-loop traffic management system integrating real-time monitoring, analysis, decision-making and operational feedback.
The results have been significant. Road capacity increased by 17.3 percent, average travel speeds improved by 52 percent, travel times were reduced by 34 percent and traffic accidents decreased by 25 percent. Importantly, these gains were achieved without major physical expansion of the bridge infrastructure, demonstrating the value of intelligent operations and coordinated management.
Sun emphasised that successful implementation depended not only on technology but also on building trust among investors, operators and public authorities through clear evidence of economic and social benefits.
Simplifying Incident Management Through System Integration
Representing Austrian technology company Evon GmbH, Daniel Seewald presented an integrated incident management solution developed for Austria’s motorway operator ASFiNAG.
The platform consolidates tunnel operations and open-road traffic management into a single system, integrating more than 170 tunnels, 2,200 kilometres of motorway and approximately 6.5 million data points.
By automating documentation, harmonising incident reporting and streamlining operator workflows, the solution reduced documentation time by 75 percent and cut reporting workloads by half. The system enables operators to focus more attention on incident response and traffic management while improving the quality and consistency of operational data.
The project highlighted how digital integration can improve not only traffic operations but also organisational efficiency within road agencies.
Emerging Technologies Expanding Operational Capabilities
The webinar also featured contributions from IRF members showcasing additional innovations in traffic management and incident detection.
Paolo Guarnieri of Movyon presented a dynamic traffic flow management system deployed on a heavily trafficked motorway corridor near Milan. Using artificial intelligence, radar, laser scanners and connected traffic management technologies, the system dynamically opens and closes emergency lanes to optimise capacity while maintaining safety. The solution helps reduce congestion, improve traffic flow and lower vehicle emissions.
Dimitrios Zavantis of egis introduced an AI-based incident detection platform implemented on Kazakhstan’s BAKAD ring road around Almaty. By leveraging existing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) infrastructure, the system identifies abnormal traffic patterns and potential incidents without requiring additional roadside equipment. The approach enables faster incident detection, reduces operational costs and improves network performance through better situational awareness.
Shared Lessons for the Road Sector
Despite addressing different infrastructure challenges and operating in diverse environments, the projects presented during the webinar shared several common themes.
Speakers consistently emphasised the importance of proactive management, data-driven decision-making and collaboration across agencies and stakeholders. Rather than focusing on infrastructure expansion alone, the projects demonstrated how innovation can unlock additional capacity, improve safety and enhance sustainability by optimising existing assets.
President Mandalozis Represents IRF in Strategic Connectivity Investment Discussion
17 - 18 June | Thessaloniki, Greece - The International Road Federation (IRF), represented by IRF President Dimitrios Mandalozis and IRF Senior Advisor Brendan Halleman, attended Transport Investment Summit.
Organised by the Transport Community, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) and hosted by the Hellenic Republic with the support of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the Summit serves as a key platform for advancing transport connectivity and infrastructure development across the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Moldova.
As countries work to modernise infrastructure, strengthen economic resilience and deepen integration with European transport networks, discussions focused on accelerating project delivery, improving investment readiness and strengthening cooperation among governments, development banks and the private sector.
IRF President Dimitrios Mandalozis joined a panel titled “The Next Wave of Connectivity: Emerging Investment Opportunities Across the Regions”, which examined topics like where the next generation of transport and logistics investments is likely to emerge, how regions can strengthen their position within evolving European and global supply chains and what conditions are needed to attract long-term public and private capital.
The discussion reflects a broader shift in how transport infrastructure is viewed. Across Europe and its neighbouring regions, connectivity is increasingly recognised not only as a transport objective but also as a driver of economic competitiveness, supply-chain resilience, energy security and geopolitical stability.
During the session, President Mandalozis shared perspectives of infrastructure operators and investors, addressing what makes transport corridors commercially credible and attractive for long-term investment. He emphasised that transport planning must focus on the performance of entire corridors rather than individual projects. While infrastructure investments can deliver significant benefits, their value is diminished if critical bottlenecks such as border crossings remain unresolved.
President Mandalozis also highlighted the importance of maintaining infrastructure throughout its lifecycle. Long-term competitiveness depends not only on delivering new projects but also on ensuring that assets continue to perform efficiently over the decades that follow. Sustainable infrastructure management, operational reliability and consistent maintenance are therefore essential components of successful connectivity strategies.
A further focus of his intervention will be investor confidence.
"One of the strongest signals a region can send to international investors is predictability. Stable priorities, transparent rules and reliable institutions provide the certainty required for long-term investment decisions and help create an environment in which infrastructure projects can attract both public and private capital." - President Mandalozis
President Mandalozis was joined by a distinguished panel of policymakers and industry leaders, including Christophe Galand, Head of Unit for the Western Balkans at DG ENEST; H.E. Christos Stavrou Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport of the Hellenic Republic; H.E. Vladimir Bolea, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova; H.E. Aleksandra Sofronijević, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of Serbia; H.E. Edin Forto, Minister of Communications and Transport of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine; Tatjana Shterjova Dushkovska, Operations Director for Development, Innovation and Knowledge at the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia; and Michalis Viridis of Milsped.
IRF and TANROADS Explore Future Road Safety and Capacity Building Initiatives in Tanzania
16 June | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - The International Road Federation (IRF) continues to strengthen its partnership with the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) through ongoing efforts to build local capacity and improve road safety outcomes across the country following its recently concluded training programme with the Tanzania Road Safety Initiative (TARSI).
As part of the IRF Road Safety Audit (RSA) Training Programme, supported by the TotalEnergies Foundation, IRF Lead Trainer Eur Ing Miguel-Angel Serrano Santos met with representatives from TANROADS and other road safety organisations to discuss future collaboration opportunities aimed at advancing professional expertise and institutional capacity within Tanzania's transport sector.
The conversation focused on expanding capacity-building activities across IRF's five learning verticals: road safety, sustainable asset management, traffic engineering and intelligent transport systems, digitisation and automation, and road project management.
Potential training areas that could support Tanzania's evolving infrastructure and mobility priorities while strengthening the long-term capabilities of national institutions were also discussed.
Building on the success of the RSA programme, emphasis was placed on the need to establish a sustainable national ecosystem for road safety auditing, bringing together government agencies, professional bodies, academic institutions and industry stakeholders.
The meeting marked an important step in defining future areas of cooperation between IRF and TANROADS, reinforcing a shared commitment to safer roads, stronger institutions and sustainable transport development in Tanzania.
Latest IRF Road Safety Auditors Training Programme Concludes in Tanzania
12 June | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania - The International Road Federation (IRF) has successfully concluded a 10-day Road Safety Audit Accreditation Training Programme at the National Institute of Transport (NIT).
Delivered by IRF Lead Trainer Eur Ing Miguel-Angel Serrano Santos in partnership with the Tanzania Road Safety Initiative (TARSI) and supported by TotalEnergies Foundation, the programme brought together road safety professionals and practitioners committed to improving road safety outcomes across Tanzania.
The training equipped participants with internationally recognised knowledge and practical skills in Road Safety Auditing, enabling them to conduct formal and independent safety assessments throughout the planning, design, construction and operation of road projects.
By strengthening local expertise, the programme contributes to the development of safer road infrastructure and supports efforts to reduce road crashes and fatalities.
A key outcome of the programme is the pathway it provides to the IRF International Registry for Road Safety Auditors. The IRF Auditors Registry is a platform that recognises certified professionals qualified to conduct road safety audits in accordance with internationally established requirements.
Registered auditors carry out formal and independent safety reviews at every stage of a road project, from feasibility studies and preliminary design through to detailed design, construction, pre-opening inspections and audits of existing roads.
Through initiatives such as this, the IRF continues to support the development of skilled road safety professionals worldwide, helping countries strengthen institutional capacity and create safer roads, safer journeys and safer communities.
IRF Statistics Team Participates in UNECE Working Party on Transport Statistics in Geneva
10 - 12 June | Geneva, Switzerland - The International Road Federation (IRF) Statistics team participated in the 77th session of the Working Party on Transport Statistics (WP.6) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) headquarters.
The three-day agenda addressed a wide range of topics, including the monitoring of transport-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), measuring sustainable and resilient infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from inland transport and improving international data collection methodologies. Discussions also focused on emerging statistical areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, cycling infrastructure, tram and metro statistics, geospatial transport data and the use of innovative data sources, including mobile phone data, to strengthen transport statistics.
A key topic throughout the session was the importance of strengthening data quality, improving response rates and ensuring greater international consistency in transport datasets.
Delegates explored approaches to harmonising data collection methods and enhancing the availability of statistics needed to support transport planning, investment and performance monitoring.
During the meeting, the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD presented its latest work on transport statistics and moderated discussions on transport resilience as part of its longstanding collaboration with UNECE and Eurostat. These exchanges highlighted the growing importance of data-driven approaches in understanding risks, improving network reliability and strengthening the resilience of transport systems against economic, environmental and operational disruptions.
The session also provided an opportunity for international organisations to present ongoing statistical initiatives and contribute to discussions on future data needs.
In this context, the IRF was able to share the continued value of the IRF World Road Statistics (WRS), one of the world's most comprehensive and longstanding repositories of road and mobility data.
Bridging Innovation and Infrastructure: IRF at Intertraffic China 2026
3 - 6 June | Shanghai, China - International Road Federation (IRF) Director General Gonzalo Alcaraz and Head of Advocacy and Outreach Alice Yiu participated in Intertraffic China 2026 in Shanghai, one of Asia's leading platforms for road infrastructure, traffic management, road safety and smart mobility solutions.
Bringing together over 15,000 visitors from over 80 countries, Intertraffic China serves as a key meeting point for industry leaders, policymakers, technology providers and transport professionals from across Asia and beyond. The event offers a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, explore emerging technologies and foster international partnerships that advance safer, smarter and more sustainable mobility systems.
As part of the conference programme, DG Alcaraz delivered a presentation entitled "From Connected Roads to Cooperative Mobility: European Approaches to Vehicle-Road Collaboration and Safe Automated Driving".
The presentation highlighted lessons learned from several European research and innovation projects supported by the European Union, showcasing how connected and automated mobility is evolving through closer collaboration between vehicles, infrastructure operators, cities, telecommunications providers and regulators.
Drawing on IRF's involvement in major Horizon Europe initiatives, DG Alcaraz presented insights from projects including Hi-Drive, EvoRoads and Mobilities for EU, each of which is helping shape the future of connected, automated, and sustainable transport systems.
A central theme of the presentation was the growing importance of intelligent infrastructure in enabling safe automated driving. Through projects such as EvoRoads, Europe is developing AI-powered road monitoring systems, digital twins, predictive maintenance tools and real-time risk assessment services that support both road operators and connected vehicles. These technologies contribute to the European Union's Vision Zero ambition by improving infrastructure safety while preparing road networks for future mobility services.
The presentation also highlighted how Urban Mobility Labs across Europe are testing innovative solutions in real-world environments, including autonomous electric buses, hydrogen-powered transport, vehicle-to-grid charging systems, intelligent logistics solutions and integrated digital mobility platforms.
Addressing the Chinese transport community, Gonzalo emphasised several strategic lessons emerging from the European experience. These include the importance of infrastructure digitalisation, real-time road intelligence, interoperability standards, cross-sector collaboration and long-term investment frameworks that enable connected and automated mobility to move beyond pilot projects and into large-scale deployment.
The session also explored opportunities for international cooperation and cross-learning. With China's leadership in artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity, robotics and smart city development, significant opportunities exist for knowledge exchange between European and Chinese stakeholders working toward safer and more efficient transport systems.
Throughout the event, IRF engaged with industry leaders, government representatives, technology providers and mobility experts from across the region.
Their participation reinforced IRF's commitment to fostering international dialogue and promoting innovative solutions that improve road safety, infrastructure resilience and sustainable mobility worldwide.
As transport systems become increasingly connected and automated, platforms such as Intertraffic China play a vital role in bringing together global expertise and accelerating the deployment of technologies that will shape the future of mobility.
