IRF Members’ News

London, UK – September 4, 2025 — Valerann, a global leader in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), is proud to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Toll Excellence Award by the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA). The award recognizes Valerann’s pioneering work in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD) to enhance traffic management through improvements in incident detection and response across Ireland’s motorway network using its AI-powered data fusion platform, Lanternn by Valerann™ (LbV). 

Presented annually, the IBTTA Toll Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and innovation in the tolling industry. Valerann received the honor in the Private Sector Innovation category, joining a select group of global innovators whose work is shaping the future of road traffic management. 

Valerann’s award-winning project involved deploying LbV on segments of the M1 and M6 motorways in Ireland, enabling real-time incident detection and improved operational efficiency. By fusing data from multiple sources – including roadside sensors, floating car data, weather feeds, and third-party platforms – LbV provided Traffic Management Centre (TMC) operators with a clearer, more actionable picture of the road traffic situation. This resulted in significantly faster incident detection: up to 25 minutes earlier on the M1 and 35 minutes earlier on the M6, compared to traditional TMC systems. The system also identified one additional actionable event per day, with the potential to scale to 20 daily events if deployed nationwide. Crucially, earlier detection and validation of incidents helps prevent secondary crashes, which are often more severe and entirely avoidable. 

“Our collaboration with TII and ROD has shown the real-world impact of using data to improve traffic monitoring and incident management,” says Gabriel Jacobson, CEO of Valerann. “By fusing data from various sources, we reduce data noise, enabling operators to focus their attention on what matters most. The use of data helps detect and validate incidents much earlier and empowers operators to adopt proactive road traffic management. This partnership demonstrates how data-driven innovation directly translates into safer roads and more effective operations. We are honored that IBTTA has recognized our work. Their commitment to driving innovation and celebrating excellence is vital to the continued evolution of intelligent transportation systems.” 

Valerann will be formally recognized at the IBTTA Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Denver, Colorado, this October. 

Valerann is a global leader in advanced road traffic management solutions (ATMS), redefining modern mobility by enhancing roadway safety and operational efficiency. Its industry-leading cloud platform, Lanternn by Valerann™, empowers road traffic authorities with real-time situational awareness, risk profiling, and significantly faster incident detection. 

By leveraging proprietary AI and computer vision algorithms, Valerann processes vast volumes of traffic-related data to enable accurate, timely, and actionable decision-making. The company’s multi-award-winning solution is trusted by public and private operators across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Central and Latin America, with deployments in countries including Ireland, the UK, Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru. Customers report double-digit reductions in accident rates thanks to more proactive traffic management. 

Valerann operates from offices in the UK, US, and Spain, serving a growing global customer base.  

For more information about Valerann and the Lanternn by Valerann™ platform, visit www.valerann.com. 

“The international traffic technology group SWARCO has acquired 100% of the renowned company Heusch/Boesefeldt GmbH, a leading provider of software solutions for highway and tunnel management systems as well as innovative traffic management, effective 19 August 2025.

Headquartered in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, with a branch office in Cottbus, Brandenburg, Heusch/Boesefeldt employs around 50 staff. The company plays a key role in the digitalization and automation of national and international traffic infrastructures. Notable references include the outfitting of the German Traffic Control Center of Autobahn GmbH des Bundes as well as the national traffic management and information center of ASFINAG in Austria and its ongoing development. Projects also include construction site management for Rijkswaterstaat in the Netherlands and CAR2X applications in the digital test field Düsseldorf or for the construction site warning system of Autobahn GmbH.

SWARCO CEO Michael Schuch stated: “With the acquisition of Heusch/Boesefeldt, a company founded in the same year as SWARCO in 1969, we are strategically expanding our technological expertise in customized software solutions. At the same time, we are strengthening our market presence in the DACH region and beyond, enabling closer collaboration with key SWARCO clients in road and highway operations. This also lays the foundation for building a powerful engineering center for highway and tunnel management systems and for developing forward-looking technologies – especially in the field of CCAM (Cooperative, Connected, Automated Mobility).”

Managing Directors Dirk Hübner and Berthold Jansen commented: “As a SWARCO company, Heusch/Boesefeldt is entering a new chapter full of opportunities. Our innovative, highly developed solutions can now have an even greater impact with SWARCO. The future of Heusch/Boesefeldt is secured long-term, and we can continue to offer our employees inspiring prospects: to apply their knowledge and energy to socially meaningful developments and to positively shape the future of mobility.”

TRL has published its latest guide for the Department for Transport (DfT), Systems Thinking in Transport Safety: Cross Modal Safety Change Programme. This landmark study acts as an introductory guide to the application of systems thinking in transport safety, showing how a holistic approach to complex systems can help prevent future accidents and save lives.

The guide asks unconventional but vital questions: what can a shallow spot in a river ten thousand years ago teach us about pedestrian safety today? What do lifts reveal about the safety of roll-on-roll-off ferries? What might Stanley Kubrick tell us about aviation safety, and what does that mean for the future of automated vehicles?

Through engaging case studies and real-world examples, the report demonstrates how systems thinking can be applied across all modes of transport. It explores the intersection between machines, the humans who operate them, and the wider social structures shaping behaviour; highlights the importance of feedback loops and boundaries within systems; examines the delayed effects of interventions; and underlines the need to design robust systems that anticipate human error. The study also considers the challenges posed by automation and the increasingly complex relationship between humans and intelligent machines.

The study examines three major transport disasters, the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise, the crash of Air France flight 447, and the Selby rail crash, to illustrate how siloed thinking can have catastrophic consequences, and how systems thinking can instead generate solutions.

Crucially, Systems Thinking in Transport Safety provides practitioners with practical tools and techniques, while emphasising that true systems thinking is more about mindset than methods. By engaging stakeholders and considering cultural, technical, economic, and environmental influences, professionals across disciplines can make safer decisions.

Lead Author Ianto Guy said “Our aim must be for no one to be injured or killed when travelling by any mode. Systems thinking is not just about tools, it’s about adopting a mindset that sees the bigger picture, understands interconnections, and anticipates the unintended consequences of decisions. This guide is designed to help practitioners begin that journey.”

The Policy Dialogue on Automobile and Better Mobility 2025, organised by the Nepal Automobiles Association (NASA Nepal) and NASA Foundation Nepal on 2-3 August 2025 at Royal Tulip Kathmandu, concluded successfully with the participation of 93 distinguished national and international experts.

During the event, the Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Devendra Dahal, expressed his appreciation towards NASA Nepal, stating that the organisation is accomplishing tasks even the government has not been able to undertake. He commended NASA Nepal’s role in connecting stakeholders from both Nepal and abroad and in persistently advocating for better mobility solutions. Minister Dahal further informed that the formulation of the Road Safety Act is in its final stage and affirmed the government’s commitment to prioritize road safety in the coming days.

The keynote speakers included Mr. Sushil Babu Dhakal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Road Safety Observatory (headquartered in Manila, Philippines); Mr. Greig Craft, Vice President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Founding President of the Automobile Association of Vietnam, and Founder of AIP Foundation; Ms. Ranjit Kaur Virk, Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Automobile Associations and the Western India Automobile Association; and Dr. K.C. Vohra, Director of the School of Automotive, NAMTECH India.

In the “Brainstorming with International Speakers” session, Mr. Greig Craft spoke about two-wheeler safety, helmet use, and road safety in Asia. Ms. Ranjit Kaur Virk discussed sustainable tourism in South Asia, including IDP (International Driving Permit), CDP (Carnet de Passages), and cross-border connectivity. Dr. Vohra shared insights into efforts to enhance safety in the automotive sector. Discussions also included activities in Nepal and further areas to be addressed in the future.

On the same occasion, the National Road Safety Award and Certificate of Appreciation were conferred upon Traffic Campaigner Mr. Shekhar Chandra Rai, in recognition of his significant contributions to the road safety sector. The award was handed over by Minister Mr. Devendra Dahal. The award is presented to individuals or institutions that have made notable contributions to road safety.

Furthermore, NASA Nepal announced the establishment of a Motoring Academy and the launch of Evision Nepal to enhance road safety efforts in the country. The campaigns were formally inaugurated by Minister Dahal and other distinguished guests present at the event.

Participants included professionals and stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in road transport and the automobile sector, representatives from local municipalities, academicians and students from engineering institutions, and entrepreneurs from the automotive industry.

The organisers expressed their belief that this dialogue would serve as a foundational step toward enhancing the credibility, professionalism, and global reach of Nepal’s automobile sector, while also establishing it as a key socio-economic and political agenda. They also emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts with academic and professional institutions in Nepal, beginning with this dialogue.

Valerann has been named one of three nominees in the Technology category for the 2025 European Commission Excellence in Road Safety Awards, as announced by the European Commission Road Safety Chapter. This nomination recognises Valerann’s work with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for advancing road safety through the use of data and data analytics for incident detection.

The European Road Safety Charter, supported by the European Commission, annually highlights exemplary initiatives from across Europe that contribute to the shared goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. This year’s theme focuses on collaboration, innovation, and the power of data, making our nomination particularly meaningful.

The winners will be announced on 16 October.

TRL, in partnership with the World Bank, is proud to announce the next-generation Highway Development and Management Model (HDM-5), a vital upgrade to the world’s most widely adopted tool for road transport planning and investment evaluation.

Since its inception in 1968, HDM has been a cornerstone analytical framework, supporting over 1,500 organisations across 100 countries. Used by governments, research institutions, and multilateral development banks (MDBs), HDM provides essential tools for economic evaluation, investment planning, maintenance prioritisation, and strategic network analysis. Financial institutions including the World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Investment Bank (EIB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), African Development Bank (AfDB), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) require HDM compliance as a prerequisite for funding transport infrastructure projects.

Responding to a Changing World

Despite HDM’s proven legacy, the past two decades have ushered in transformative changes in vehicle technology, pavement design, climate resilience, and road safety. These emerging challenges demand a fresh approach. The development of HDM-5 officially commenced June 2025, with a release targeted for 2027.

HDM-5 is not an update, it’s a reinvention. The new platform is being conceived as a cloud-native, modular, and web-based system delivered through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. This will ensure enhanced scalability, flexibility, and ease of use across a wide range of stakeholders. HDM-5 will also include integrated tools for assessing climate resilience and estimating carbon emissions, alongside advanced functionality to evaluate road safety impacts. By embedding these capabilities within a modern, intuitive digital framework, HDM-5 is poised to support smarter, more sustainable, and forward-looking transport decisions.

Subu Kamal, Head of Product, TRL Software:

“Our vision for HDM-5 is to transform it into a dynamic and accessible platform that empowers decision-makers across the globe. By embedding sustainability, safety, and digital flexibility at its core, we’re creating a tool that truly meets the transport challenges of tomorrow delivered with the usability and scalability expected of modern software.”

TRL’s Leadership and Commitment

As a founding research institution of HDM with over six decades of engagement, TRL is uniquely positioned to co-develop HDM-5. TRL is a leading organisation in transport software, innovation, and research, with deep expertise in transport systems modelling, software engineering, user-centred design, and global technical support. Our involvement ensures that HDM-5 will not only be technically robust and economically rigorous, but also sustainable, future-ready, and user-friendly.

Binyam Reja, Global Practice Manager, Transport Global Unit, World Bank said: “The development of HDM-5 marks a major step forward in how we support countries to plan, prioritize, and finance road investments. This initiative reflects our commitment to integrating climate resilience, road safety, and sustainability into infrastructure decision making. We are pleased to partner with TRL whose legacy and technical leadership have shaped HDM from the beginning to bring this next-generation global public good to life.”

Wenxin Qiao Senior Transport Specialist and Global Lead for Technology and Innovation, Transport Global Unit, World Bank said:  "The development of HDM-5 is a collaborative effort to address the increasing complexity of transport infrastructure decision-making. It is designed to provide users with a technically robust, consistent, and adaptable platform for evaluating the costs, benefits, and long-term performance of road investments. In close partnership with TRL, we are committed to ensuring that this new HDM-5 model reflects practical realities and delivers value to both technical practitioners and policymakers, driving lasting impact."

Global Collaboration for a Global Solution

A steering committee chaired by the World Bank, comprising key partners such as PIARC, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), ADB, IsDB, and EIB, is guiding HDM-5’s development. The initiative is further supported by a technical committee and funded through contributions from GRSF, GFDRR, QII, and GFDT. Collaborative work with leading academic and research institutions has already advanced critical components such as gap analysis, functional updates, and modelling enhancements.

PE "Roads of Serbia” continues to pave new kilometres of modern infrastructure – a symbol of progress, connectivity, and development.

The newest section of the E763 motorway from Preljina to Požega represents another important step towards faster, safer, and more efficient traffic, contributing to better connectivity between different regions of Serbia, as well as the integration of transport flows with neighbouring countries.

The section from Preljina to Požega, 30.96 km long, connects to the already built Miloš Veliki motorway, which is operating in full profile from Surčin to Preljina with associated facilities, interchanges, tunnels and bridges. A well-known fact about this section is that it passes through very difficult geographical terrain, where a total of three tunnels were built: Trbušani, Laz and Munjino Brdo. All of the tunnels are designed with two separate tunnel tubes, each for one traffic direction.

The lengths of the tunnel tubes of the Trbušani tunnel are approximately 300 m. The lengths of the tunnel tubes of the Laz tunnel are approximately 2,700 m and 2,900 m (the length of the left tube along the axis is 2,842.57 m, and the length of the right tube is 2,662.33 m). The axial distance of the tunnel tubes is from a minimum of 35 m to a maximum of 55 m.

A third of the tunnels' length has been designed with connecting corridors for vehicles to pass from one tunnel tube to another, with emergency niches, as well as 9 pedestrian transverse connecting corridors at prescribed distances, which enable safe evacuation in incident situations. In the middle part of this transverse corridor for vehicle passage, a space has been reserved for a power substation.
Space for the accommodation of various electrical and telecommunications installations has been provided under pedestrian paths on both sides of the carriageway. The lengths of the left and right tunnel tubes of the Munjino Brdo tunnel are on average 2,750 m, the left tube 2,755.75 m, while the right tube is slightly shorter, with a length of 2,740.14 m. The Munjino Brdo tunnel is designed with two tunnel tubes, one for each direction of traffic, i.e. one-way traffic with two lanes takes place through each tunnel tube. The width of the carriageway in the tunnel is 7.70 m. The axle spacing of the tunnel tubes is about 30 m. The height of the traffic profile is H=4.75 m.

Official pedestrian paths are designed on both sides of the carriageway 1.19 m–1.24 m wide. Below them is space for accommodating various electrical and telecommunication installations.
Transverse pedestrian passages for crossing from one tube to the other in the event of an emergency in the tunnel are designed to be able to support even emergency vehicles and are located at a distance of 220–280 m.
Two extensions have been designed for each tunnel tube to remove broken down vehicles – emergency niches.
The vehicle transverse passages for passing from one tube to the other are part of the Munjino Brdo tunnel, designed at a distance of 1,000 to 1,006 m in the longitudinal direction. The Laz and Munjino Brdo tunnels are currently the longest road tunnels in Serbia.

All tunnels on the state roads of I A category have built-in smart lighting systems, variable traffic signals and video surveillance, while those longer than 500 metres have all the necessary security systems for reporting and detecting fires, an air quality control system, ventilation and smoke extraction in tunnels, a hydrant network for extinguishing fires, a public address system for transmitting messages to users, SOS telephones, and FE devices.

Supervision and management of the facilities is carried out 24/7 from the operational control centres according to clearly defined emergency response procedures.
The entire project includes 35 bridges with a total length of 5,196 m, 4 overpasses with a total length of 592 m (3 bridges on local roads after descending from graded intersections total length 180 m), as well as 4 overpasses within graded intersections (total length 1,075 m), as follows:

• 13 bridges are over 100 m long, and the longest bridge is 478 m,
• 6 bridges are 25–100 m long,
• 16 single-span bridges are 10–25 m long.

The bridge over the West Morava is unique compared to the others, because it spans the river with a span of 80 m, and its total length is 330 m.
1,912,000 m³ of embankment and three complete traffic loops were built, which will allow the existing bypass around Čačak to be relieved.
In the first part of the section from the existing toll station Preljina to Pakovraće, which is 14.3 km long, the relocation of electrical, telecommunications, water and gas installations was carried out in a total of 73 places.

PROJECT SIGNIFICANCE:

The E-763 Belgrade–South Adriatic motorway serves as a vital link between Serbia and Montenegro, connecting Belgrade with the South Adriatic region.
On a broader scale, it will improve connectivity between Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Italy.
In Požega, a traffic junction is planned to be built, where a section of the motorway branches off to Kotroman and the border crossing with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Preljina–Požega section of the E-763 motorway project is located in the southern part of the E-763 motorway in Serbia.
It is a motorway with a total of four lanes and a design speed of up to 120 km/h. The project has been recognised as the most challenging section to construct on the entire E-763 motorway.

NTRO, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads(TMR) and Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) have teamed up to win a prestigious International Road Federation award at the annual IRF Awards in Athens.

MRWA, TMR and NTRO’s joint project The impact of bushfire on infrastructure and a framework to incorporate bushfire resilience in road design won the IRF’s Emergency and Disaster Response Management Award. 

NTRO Sustainability and Materials Performance national leader and IRF Board Member Dr Clarissa Han accepted the award at the presentation in Athens on the entire team’s behalf. 

This framework was developed through NTRO’s collaborative research programs with MRWA (the Western Australian Road Research and Innovation Program – WARRIP) and TMR (the National Asset Centre of Excellence –NACOE).

Anaheim, CA, July 01, 2025 – Econolite, a trusted leader in intelligent traffic management solutions and part of Umovity, announced today that it has received the prestigious International Road Federation (IRF) Award (IRF2025). The recently introduced Autoscope^® OptiVu HD video detection solution was recognized for its technological innovation in the IRF Award’s Traffic Management and IT category. Mogens Abel-Bache, CTO of Umovity, received the award during the International Symposium “Navigating the Future of Traffic Management” held in Athens, Greece, on June 30.

“We are thrilled and extremely honored to receive the IRF2025 award,” said Christian U. Haas, CEO of Umovity. “Being acknowledged by the IRF for our newly introduced Autoscope OptiVu sensor solution validates our commitment to providing innovations that empower cities to deliver more sustainable, safer, and accessible mobility. I also want to congratulate all the IRF2025 Award winners; it’s a privilege to be part of such an important global program.”

The IRF Awards exemplify the commitment toward fostering innovation, sustainability, and safety in road development. It distinguishes outstanding projects, initiatives, and tools that have achieved remarkable outcomes in the transportation and mobility sectors. The IRF Awards celebrate the relentless dedication and ingenuity of the industry, whose contributions are driving meaningful progress in mobility worldwide.

The Traffic Management and ITS award category celebrates innovations in traffic management and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that enhance mobility, efficiency, and safety on the roadways. It recognizes technologies, strategies, and practices that optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve the overall performance of transportation systems and quality of service for all roadway users.

About Econolite – part of Umovity

Econolite is the North American market leader in intelligent traffic management solutions with over 92 years of experience. Econolite has provided more than 160,000 detection sensors deployed at over 60,000 intersections. Its leading traffic management software has been installed by more than 500 agencies across North America. Econolite prides itself on being the leading One-Stop-Shop provider of traffic management solutions, including Cabinets, Controllers, Software, Sensors, and Professional Services. With nearly 800 employees primarily in North America, Econolite drives innovation in traffic management and safety solutions, including connected and automated vehicles research and development. In June 2022, Bridgepoint acquired a majority stake in Econolite, and together with PTV Group, a dynamic partnership was formed. Since 2023, Econolite and PTV Group are united under the brand Umovity.

For more information, visit www.econolite.com.