Doha Hosts International Training on Work Zone Safety Management
Doha, Qatar | 28 – 30 September 2025 – IRF Lead Trainer Miguel-Angel Serrano Santos with Dr. Wael Alhajyaseen, Elise Freeman and Dave Tilton led the Work Zone Safety Management Training hosted by the Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Centre (QTTSC) College of Engineering at Qatar University.
The Training was jointly organised by the IRF, the World Conference on Transport Research Society Young Researchers’ Initiative (WCTRS-Y) and the Traffic Monitoring, Surveillance & Law Enforcement Systems community.
IRF Trainings Programmes
The IRF delivers a diverse portfolio of professional training programmes designed to advance road safety, infrastructure development and sustainable mobility. Offered in both online and in-person formats, these courses are organised in partnership with leading institutions such as Qatar University and the South African Road Federation.
Training programmes usually involve topics from road safety audits and crash investigation to urban mobility and sustainability, providing a well-rounded learning experience for attendees. Participants gain access to certified courses aligned with industry standards and evolving global trends, helping them strengthen their expertise and drive progress within the road and transport sectors.
One such programme was recently delivered in Doha, focusing on work zone safety management.
Work Zone Safety Management Training in Doha
Motorists constitute more than 80% of fatalities in work zones. Road authorities are responsible for the safety of these motorists as well as for other vulnerable road users. They must also establish and enforce criteria that contractors must follow to design a safe work zone.
During the latest training programme in Qatar, participants were taught about the elements required for designing safe work zones while utilising the newest technologies. The importance of positive protection from crash-worthy barriers, truck-mounted attenuators, variable message signs, average speed camera enforcement and flagger training covered and highlighted as essential safety features.
During the three-day training, participants had opportunities for strengthening capacity and building knowledge around road safety, not only as a practical element of transport and mobility but also in its role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The training programme brought together representatives from government ministries and agencies and the private sector. It also welcomed international experts, resulting in great discussions and added significant value to the programme.
Learning outcomes
Participants successfully achieved the core learning outcomes of the training by gaining a clear understanding of the road authority’s responsibility to ensure safety within work zones.
As part of the programme, participants explored the current status of work zone safety in Qatar and applied the Qatar Work Zone Traffic Management Guide presented by the trainers. This included the preparation and submission of traffic control plans.
Practical sessions enabled the participants to assess and approve real-world work zones, engage in discussions of relevant case examples and deepen their knowledge of vertical sign design and road marking standards.
This holistic approach ensured that the participants left the programme with both theoretical insights and practical skills essential to enhancing work zone safety.
“United by a common goal, we worked together to advance safer roads and protect both workers and road users in our work zones. This experience reaffirms the strength of international collaboration and the shared commitment to saving lives through knowledge, innovation, and care.” - Miguel-Angel Serrano Santos
By equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools to design safer work zones, this training helped strengthen Qatar’s road safety framework, contributing to the global effort of saving lives.
The collaboration between international experts, local authorities, and academic institutions underscores a shared commitment to building safer, more sustainable transport systems for current and future generations.
IRF President Emeritus Kiren Kapila Honored with FIDIC’s Highest Award
Cape Town, South Africa | September 2025 - The International Road Federation (IRF) proudly celebrates the recognition of its President Emeritus, Kiren Kapila, who was recently awarded the Louis Prangey Award at the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) Global Infrastructure Award.
President Kapila is the first-ever Asian recipient, a milestone that highlights his personal achievements and the growing global impact of Indian engineering and Infrastructure leadership.
The Louis Prangey Award is FIDIC’s highest honor and is presented to individuals for their exceptional service to FIDIC and the consulting engineering profession. The award recognises those who act as role models and contribute significantly to the organisation and to its objectives.
In its 113-year history, the Louis Prangey Award has only been presented 20 times.
Dedication to Infrastructure and Road Safety
Apart from being the President Emeritus of the IRF, President Kapila also serves as Chairman of the Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt. Lrf. (ICT).
He was a founding member of the Corporate and Institutional Integrity Africa Committee and served as co-chair of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which focuses on urban development to enhance the socio-economic growth of India, for almost eight years. He was also the first non-European chairman of the International Road Federation and served for nine years from 2010 to 2019.
President Kapila holds an Advisory status with UNESCOS, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and serves on road safety initiatives with the UN.
He has dedicated his career to advancing infrastructure development, road safety and sustainable transport solutions worldwide. He has consistently emphasised the critical role of infrastructure in driving economic growth, social inclusion and sustainable mobility.
President Kapila champions road safety initiatives, high-quality infrastructure and innovative solutions that reduce traffic fatalities and improve transport efficiency. The recognition and FIDIC’s global stage underscore his role in aligning engineering excellence with the urgent need for inclusive, safe, green and efficient mobility systems.
A Reflection of IRF’s Global Mission
The honor of the Louis Prangey Award reflects the IRF’s mission to promote safer roads, smarter infrastructure and sustainable mobility worldwide. It is a historic moment, reaffirming the power of purpose-driven leadership in infrastructure and mobility.
Under President Kapala’s leadership, IRF continues to build capacity, foster innovation and advocate for stronger international standards in transport safety and infrastructure development.
Presenting the award, FIDIC president Catherine Karakatsanis said: “Our winner has an impressive track record of volunteer activities for FIDIC and other organisations and he has made a significant difference to the industry, to his profession and to the world in which we all work. A role model, inspiration and true friend to FIDIC across many decades, Kiran’s work has been instrumental, enhancing the reputation of the FIDIC across the global construction and infrastructure sector.”
Advancing automated transport systems across Europe
IRF is pushing to enable resilient Operational Design Domains (ODDs) for automated driving systems across Europe’s diverse transport networks to support projects such as Augmented Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (ACCAM) and iEXODDUS.
ACCAM, coordinated by the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL), consists of a multi-stakeholder Consortium of 26 Partners, from 12 European countries and one Associated partner from Switzerland, the International Road Federation (IRF).
iEXODDUS, on the other hand, is co-Funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme (GA No. 101146091) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). iEXODDUS, coordinated by Virtual Vehicle (ViF), consists of a multi-stakeholder Consortium of 14 Partners, from 5 European countries and one Associated partner from Switzerland, the IRF.
Automated transport systems
ODD touches on areas such as Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs), future mobility, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), resilient autonomous driving, smart infrastructure, mobility innovation and much more.
IRF is leading conversations around the links between global navigation satellite systems (GNSS)-denied localisation, Digital Twin integration, open standards and governance models.
As a global road transport leader, the IRF is also exploring essential elements towards scaling Automated Vehicles (AVs) beyond pilot zones into mainstream deployment using policy recommendations and roadmaps towards harmonised Physical and Digital Infrastructure (PDI) for large-scale CCAM deployment.
ODD Extension for Automated Driving
The ODD defines the conditions under which an Automated Driving System (ADS) can operate safely. ADS are currently limited by strictly defined ODDs, often excluding challenging environments such as tunnels, urban canyons and construction zones.
The objective is to extend ODD boundaries so that they become a foundation for safer, more inclusive and compatible autonomous mobility across Europe. Without the reliable localisation and harmonisation frameworks, AVs risk being confined to narrow use cases.
GNSS-denied Localisation
Today’s AVs depend heavily on GNSS for positioning, however safety is compromised in areas where signals become blocked or distorted. To address this, IRF is also supporting the iEXODDUS project, an initiative that introduces multi-sensor localisation which blends camera-based mapping for high-precision navigation, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) anchors for tunnel and urban environments, HD maps and digital twins for environmental awareness and map-less perception modes for dynamic, unmapped roads.
This layered approach ensures resilience and redundancy which allows vehicles to maintain safe positioning when GNSS is unavailable.
Digital Twins in AV Deployment
Digital twin architecture provides real-time, high-fidelity models for road infrastructure. By harmonising these across Europe, ADS can be seamlessly integrated into high-definition maps to enable cross-border interoperability and real-time safety validation.
The EU has already recognised the importance of Digital Twins in mobility as part of its Annual Union Work Programme for Standardisation. The next step is ensuring that AV-specific standards for Digital Twins support simulation testing and live operational deployment.
ODD Extensions for Europe’s CCAM Strategy
Resilient localisation and harmonised standards are key enablers for extending the ODD of automated vehicles.
These efforts have a direct impact on the reduction of road traffic accidents, deployment in environments such as city centres and cross-border corridors, assurance of seamless AV operation across Europe and transparent governance which includes clear liability structures.
The expected outcome is a Recommendation Catalogue that will be submitted to the CCAM Platform Association to support feedback to policy makers and regulators with a view to substantiating deployment topics and implementation of large CCAM initiatives.
These recommendations aim to guide industry, regulators, and cities in shaping resilient CCAM ecosystems.
Sharing the results
Writers Iona Kirkpatricka, Karin Baier-Müllerb, Selim Solmazc, Martin Kirchengastc, Jakob Reckenzaunc will present a paper on these recommendations during Q1 of 2026 at the Transport Research Arena (TRA 2026) Conference.
The TRA 2026 is the foremost European Conference on Transport and Mobility gathering researchers, industry professionals, public authorities and other stakeholders from all transport modes to share knowledge, foster collaboration and address challenges and opportunities in the transport and mobility sectors.
The paper will explore ODD extension strategies, localisation in GNSS-denied environments, standardisation of data and interfaces, and governance models for trusted deployment.
Focusing on challenging scenarios such as tunnels and urban canyons, the modular localisation framework that integrates infrastructure-assisted sensing, onboard odometry and inertial navigation to ensure continuous positioning without GNSS will also be presented.
IRF Auditors Registry: Strengthening Road Safety Through Independent Audits
“Road safety is not an abstract concept — it is practical, urgent, and deeply human”
16 September 2025, Lyon France – IRF Acting Director General (DG) Gonzalo Alcaraz joined the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) Global Tolling Summit to discuss the IRF Auditor’s Registry – a platform that provides a list of certified professionals qualified to conduct road safety audits, based on requirements established by the organisation.
With the support of TotalEnergies Foundation, the IRF Auditors Registry ensures quality, transparency and accountability in road design and maintenance from the feasibility stage to the assessment of existing roads.
Road Safety Audits and its Role in Safety
A road safety audit (RSA) is a formal, independent check of a road project at different stages. It can be applied across all stages of road design: from feasibility and design, to construction, pre-opening and on existing roads that may have been unaudited. Through audits, experts would be able to identify risks before they turn into crashes.
Despite its proven value, road safety auditing practices have been inconsistent across countries. Training programs differ, standards are uneven, and the quality of audits varies widely. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and international donors increasingly require road safety audits for project approval, but they face the pressing challenge of identifying qualified auditors.
The IRF International Road Safety Auditors Registry
The registry provides a transparent, standardised, and globally accessible system to:
- Certify auditors based on clear training and experience criteria.
- Strengthen local capacity, especially in low- and middle-income countries, by training and accrediting young professionals and women engineers.
- Give governments, project owners, and financiers confidence that audit teams are composed of properly qualified professionals.
By establishing this registry, IRF helps raise the quality and consistency of road safety audits worldwide, directly contributing to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and the upcoming UN Decade of Action for Sustainable Transport 2026-2035.
Setting the Standard
As a certification tool, the IRF Auditors Registry sets a new global standard that provides governments with confidence that projects are audited by skilled professionals. It also helps multilateral development banks strengthen safeguard policies, gives toll road operators and concessionaires access to credible auditors and creates career opportunities for young engineers worldwide, contributing to a just transition in mobility.
By embedding auditing into every stage of road projects, the IRF Auditors Registry supports countries in achieving the Global Goals, building resilience to climate shocks, and embedding a culture of accountability in road design and management.
Certification Levels
IRF certifies auditors based on training hours completed and documented audit experience. There are three levels of recognition:
- Observer:
- Completion of a minimum 60-hour Road Safety Audit (RSA) training course recognized by IRF.No audit experience required.
- Entry point for young professionals and new auditors.
- Team Member – trained auditors with some audit experience.
- Completion of the RSA training course (≥ 60 hours).Participation in at least five road safety audits as an observer/trainee.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to audit teams under supervision.
- Team Leader – senior auditors with advanced training and proven experience.
- Significant audit experience: typically leading 5+ road safety audits.
- Ability to manage audit teams, prepare reports, and take overall responsibility for audit outcomes.
Auditors must keep their profiles current with recent training and audit experience. An annual maintenance fee is also required to remain listed as active in the registry. Registry entries are verified by IRF to ensure transparency and credibility
The Path Forward
The International Road Safety Auditor Registry is a powerful step toward safer, more sustainable mobility worldwide. By raising standards, empowering professionals and ensuring that every road project is rigorously audited, we move closer to a future where roads are designed not just to move vehicles, but to protect lives.
Learn more about the IRF Auditors Registry and see if there are any accredited auditors in your country by going to the website.
Acting DG Alcaraz: “Innovation is not an option, it is a must”.
“Innovation is not an option, it is a must,” said IRF Acting Director General (DG) Gonzalo Alcaraz at the ITS World Congress 2025 in Atlanta. Speaking before leaders of the global mobility sector, he talked about how the incorporation of CCAM can lead to the design of more sustainable infrastructure and develop vehicles that can ‘communicate’ with one another. This technology would be capable of avoiding fatal collisions and creating more inclusive and accessible vehicles for all road users.
Atlanta, USA – ITS America, ERTICO – ITS Europe and ITS Asia-Pacific organised the four-day ITS World Congress from the 24th of August 2025 with the theme “Deploying today, Empowering Tomorrow”. The Congress gathered representatives from the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry, serving as a major forum to discuss the latest Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) developments.
Acting DG Alcaraz represented the IRF and gave discussions on CCAM during sessions on the Building Blocks for CCAM Deployment, Strategy for Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Communication in Automated Vehicles and Creating a Safer Future with Connected and Automated Technologies.
Building Blocks for CCAM Deployment
This session focused on elaborating on the foundational elements necessary for the successful deployment of CCAM including infrastructure readiness, cross-border cooperation, and harmonised regulations.
In his presentation titled “Building the Autonomous Mobility Ecosystem”, Acting DG Alcaraz highlighted that vehicles are just part of the equation when it comes to CCAM. Other significant factors include technology, materials, diversity and inclusion and sustainability.
He presented the IRF Connected and Autonomous Mobility Manifesto (2021), explaining CCAM through legal and policy topics, workforce, technology and overcoming challenges in the use of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV).
To effectively build the autonomous mobility system, Acting DG Alcaraz presented the following areas of focus, areas also being addressed by the IRF:
- Traffic Management Measures – CCAM systems must be capable of handling both planned and emergency road works. This requires the ability to receive real-time updates and adapt to measures such as contraflow lanes marked with cones. Achieving this will necessitate revisions to existing New Roads and Street Works Acts (NRSWA) legislation as well as adjustments to current operating practices.
- Road Markings – Maintenance procedures for road markings must be strengthened, with signage regularly checked for cleanliness and clarity to ensure that automated systems can reliably interpret them.
- Safe Harbour Areas – The design and frequency of safe harbour areas require review to prevent misuse and to guarantee they serve their intended safety purpose.
- Role of Service Stations – Traditional service stations could be reimagined as transport hubs, potentially allowing passengers to board automated motorway taxis.
- Car Parking – Parking systems may evolve into ‘valet-style’ operations. Should CAVs reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road, existing parking facilities could be repurposed for alternative uses by other road users.
- Automated Demand Responsive Public Transport Vehicles – Public transport operators have an opportunity to encourage shared mobility through the deployment of automated pods that operate on demand.
- Crossing and Junctions – Automated vehicles will find signal-controlled crossings and junctions easier to navigate than those without signals, suggesting a shift in future road and urban planning practices.
- Impact on Bridge Structures – Vehicle platooning, particularly involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), may place unexpected stresses on bridges, underscoring the need for further structural assessments.
The integration of CCAM into mobility systems would mean a long transition period of mixed traffic. Infrastructure can help move things faster while providing a safe environment and while leading efficient operations.
Strategy for Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Communication in Automated Vehicles
This session was on the deployment of 5G-V2X and IEEE 802.11bd for enhanced safety and efficiency by enabling vehicle-to-vehicle, infrastructure, pedestrian, and network or V2X interactions.
V2X is accelerating worldwide with Cellular V2X (C-V2X) emerging as the leading standard, the expansion of 5G networks and government-backed mandates and funding for V2X. There are also ongoing V2X rollouts that are targeting high-risk areas like junctions and schools while expanding beyond road safety into autonomous driving, tolling and emissions reduction.
Acting DG Alcaraz shared how recent V2X deployments in the United States and in Europe demonstrated the technology’s potential to improve safety, optimise traffic flow and enable the transition to CCAM.
Some examples include
- The Atlanta V2X Day One Deployment District with a one-mile downtown that includes traffic signal prioritisation and integration with emergency services, transit and school buses.
- The 5GAA Demonstration in Paris where CAVs were showcased using Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and 5G-V2X for advanced mobility services and real-time traffic management.
Acting DG Alcaraz noted that governments and authorities have been backing V2X with mandates, funding programmes and infrastructure investments seen in the expansion of 5G.
V2X rollouts prioritise high-risk areas with high rates of road traffic crashes. “V2X is moving into areas such as autonomous vehicle coordination, carbon reduction strategies and tolling systems”.
Safer Future with Connected and Automated Technologies
This plenary discussion focused on how CCAM technologies are transforming how people move and are essential to keeping our roads safe by reducing the annual number of crashes. It also moves that ensuring connectivity across all modes of transportation would require infrastructure equipped with communication capabilities and the connection for all road users, both human and machine.
The topics discussed included technology usability, consideration human factors, consumer education and the importance of trust to drive acceptance and adoption. It also covered the use cases of connected and automated technologies delivering near-term benefits that can increase transportation system safety and demonstrate the value to the traveling public.
IRF Leads CCAM Session at ITS World Congress 2025
Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) is a crucial element in achieving global targets that involve safety, sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility, urban development and collaboration. Some of its clear contributions include:
- Reducing road crashes by enabling vehicles and infrastructure to ‘communicate’ with one another.
- Compensating for human error in their influence in road traffic crashes.
- Improves traffic flow.
- Cutting emissions by managing vehicles and infrastructure more efficiently.
- Contributing to greener transport systems through electrification of vehicles, from passenger to freight.
- Generating transport and mobility data to aid in the development of road infrastructure.
IRF Acting Director General (DG) Gonzalo Alcaraz attended the ITS World Congress 2025 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, USA from the 24th to the 28th of August 2025.
Themed "Deploying Today, Empowering Tomorrow", the Congress brought together world leaders, decision-makers and representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss the implementation of new technologies and solutions like CCAM that are essential for smarter transportation systems.
The IRF led a sessions titled “Advancing CCAM Deployment: Augmented Physical, Digital and Communication Infrastructure for Smart Mobility”. The IRF session elaborated on how different elements of CCAM needed to merge and evolve so that they can better support safe, scalable and sustainable mobility.
The different topics of the session included:
TOPIC 1: Road Operator Roles in CCAM
Led by MAPtm Strategic Advisor on Connected and Automated Mobility Tom Alkim, this topic discussed how CCAM could increase safety and move society closer toward vision zero by increasing accessibility of mobility services, reducing emission from transport and addressing driver shortages.
Stakeholders must integrate CCAM into the broader transport system and to co-exist with other forms of mobility with key stakeholders needed to take the lead.
Mr. Alkim presented the following road manager roles in CCAM and digital representations:
- Road managers have active roles in digital representation in their core business or road maintenance and asset management. They also use models in road planning and building.
- Road manager roles will evolve in collaboration with the ecosystem stakeholders depending on the case of CCAM use and its requirements.
TOPIC 2: Enabling the Transportation Evolution
Presented by Vice President (VP) for Emerging Markets of Kapsh TrafficCom Lauri Brady, the topic focused on the importance of connected vehicles.
Connected vehicles lead to more efficient multi-modal transportation within and around urban areas, driving economic growth. It also results in a cleaner environment, enabling more access and use that attracts residents and businesses.
Some connected vehicle solutions and services include Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Mobility and Safety, Integrated Data Platform, Demand Management, Payment Services, Technology Neutral, Multi-Purpose Apps, Data Hubs & Analytic Solutions, Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Coordination and Supervision or Orchestration.
VP Brady explained that, to enable transportation evolution, three initial steps need to be implemented.
- Connected Vehicle Hardware – In-vehicle and roadside solution.
- Corridor and Device Management – Connected Vehicle (CV) data access and device management through the monitoring, operation and maintenance of CV devices and sensors. It could also include the collection, storage and distribution of CV messages and data usage.
- Connected Corridor – Digital corridors that enable cross-domain services and solutions through operationalisation of data & insights, flexible platform suites for highway and urban environments and transition legacy systems on digital infrastructure.
Infrastructure Solutions demonstrates transport evolution through situational awareness, functional safety, traffic efficiency and environmental sustainability, Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) support where traffic safety and mobility insights are translated from sensors and cameras, Deep Learning Versatile Platform (DLVP) that translates input into digital data and Traffic Flow Optimisation among others.
TOPIC 3: Efforts Towards Realising Automated Mobility Services
This presentation was led by Manabu Umeda, Project Researcher of Mobility Innovation Collaborative Research Organisation, Collaborative Research Coordinator from the University of Tokyo and member of the Mobility Innovation Alliance Japan.
The focus of the intervention was on the establishment of the Mobility Innovation Alliance as a key player in collaborating with global participants to realise mobility innovation.
The Alliance is creating basic goals and requirements for cooperative systems that other regions can replicate and deploy.
From 2021 to 2023, it set up prior pilot tests that used a level 2 automated bus with a driver and installed cooperative roadside equipment on public roads and developed elemental technologies for cooperative systems. In 2024, the Alliance held public road tests with the development of the bus capable of L4 automated operation. They also developed and installed Roadside Unit (RSU) for cooperative L4 services.
Currently, in 2025, the Alliance is leading pilot tests with operations as level 4 mobility services. The results are the commercialisation and expansion of CCAM to other regions.
TOPIC 4: Smarter Motorways and the Intersection with Connected & Autonomous Vehicles
Led by National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Caltabiano, this topic explored the integration of transport solutions in road, rail, ports and airports in areas on asset performance, infrastructure measurement, safer smarter infrastructure, sustainability and materials performance, structures & certifications, data and technology and transport futures.
Managing motorways and autonomous vehicles begins with understanding current behaviours and predicting lane capacity and use.
CEO Caltabiano explained that planning, design and operation of motorways requires quantitative understanding of the relation between capacity loss and Lane Changing Concentration (LCC). A better understanding of capacity and demand for proper planning and design can prevent or mitigate ‘planning disaster’.
TOPIC 5: The Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Programme (SIP) Development of Smart Mobility Platform
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) through Strategic Innovation Promotion (SIP) Sub Programme Director Satoshi Hiyama, led the final topic for discussion.
Mr. Hiyama presented the notion of a society without ‘mobility divides’. A future where passengers and freight can move freely, safely and comfortably. To achieve this, JAMA is building a platform for safe, fair, eco-friendly and seamless mobility for passengers and freight.
The organisation has a task force for Sustainable Mobility Services that re-design planning guidelines, spatial evaluation methods and HR development programmes. This task force also deals with freight and related collaborative logistics, legal framework and business practices.
Another JAMA task force is focused on Comprehensive Infrastructure that deal with pure technologies along with legal framework, physical infrastructure and digital infrastructure.
JAMA envisions a future where road infrastructure will be capable of preemptive prevention of road traffic crashes through proactive risk notification.
Through CCAM, the IRF fosters innovation and progress in road infrastructure and sustainable transportation. It is presenting a platform for the successful adoption of CCAM technology that will include its rollout and deployment.
The session is one of the ways that will educate users about CCAM benefits and help build greater public trust in these innovations.
The way forward requires collaboration and knowledge sharing, with open conversations about CCAM at the centre. Further, the success with CCAM depends on partnerships between governments, industry, academia and civil society.
“The future of mobility isn’t about the autonomous vehicles themselves but in what they can offer when fully integrated with the whole mobility ecosystem”, Acting DG Alcaraz.
International Smart Transportation Symposium set in China
The International Road Federation (IRF), the China Highway and Transportation Society (CHTS) and the Southeast University of China will jointly host the 2025 International Smart Transportation Symposium (2025 ISTS) from 30 October to 1 November 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel in Shenzhen, China.
The 2025 ISTS will focus on forward-looking and critical technologies in smart cities and smart transportation and their relevant connections. The programme is available on this website.
New technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), autonomous driving and vehicle road coordination are steadily being used to create smart cities and smart transportation. The ISTS 2025 will showcase technical breakthroughs, best practices on industrial achievements and policy-making experience to integrate these topics into more practical solutions.
There is an ongoing call for papers as part of the 2025 ISTS to summarise the most recent research achievements and guide theoretical innovation and academic research.
Topics of interest for paper submissions include (but are not limited to):
- Development, Policies and Planning of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
- Innovative Application of "AI+" Emerging Transportation Technologies
- Infrastructure's Intelligent Upgrading
- Traffic Management and Decision-Making Support
- Optimisation of Mobility Services
- Intelligent Logistics' Transportation
- Safety and Emergency Management
- Green and Sustainable Transport Development
- Low-Altitude Transportation Management and Application
The full details of the Call for Papers are published by the CHTS here. The deadline for submissions is on 15 September 2025.
The 2025 ISTS will be an avenue to foster innovation and progress through the discussion and sessions while connecting global participants to fast-track solutions that will result in more resilient and sustainable cities and intelligent transport systems.
It also aims to highlight scientific and technological achievements, unlock innovation potential, facilitate knowledge transfer and establish mechanisms for international collaboration.
The 2025 ISTS will gather international organisation leaders, government representatives, industry leaders and renowned experts. The 2025 ISTS looks to contribute to cleaner, greener, and more sustainable transportation systems for a better future for all.
IRF Training Aims to Cut Road Deaths in Tanzania
Every year, more than 10,000 people lose their lives on Tanzania roads. Most of these crashes are preventable. That's why the International Road Federation (IRF), with the support from the TotalEnergies Foundation, is training 23 civil engineers in Dar es Saalam.
This is part of the International Registry for Road Safety Auditors, which aims to establish a standardised framework for the qualification and the accreditation of road safety auditors worldwide.
Participants for this training come from the Tanzanian Ministry of Works, Town Roads, Tara, the Engineers Registration Board, the Institute of Engineers Tanzania, the National Audit Office, and the private sector companies, led by IRF expert engineer Miguel Angel Serrano Santos, participants learned to identify all risks before crashes happen.
Through 60 hours of theory and practical work, they are gaining the tools to make Tanzania roads safer for all because building local expertise means saving life.
Earlier this year, IRF also delivered a Road Safety Auditor course in Uganda. Another training is planned to take place in India in October, continuing the collaboration between IRF and TotalEnergies Foundation to strengthen road safety auditing capacities globally.
Participants in the 2024 Road Safety Auditor course reported clear benefits to their professional skills. One explained the training helped them design safer roads by improving signage, markings, intersections and layouts, and by using data to prevent accidents. They also learned to create safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, and to carry out safety inspections and audits. The course gave them a better understanding of road safety issues, allowing them to spot risks more effectively as observers.
Tanzania’s crash figures show why this work matters. Every audit that spots a hidden hazard, every design that slows traffic near a school and every policy based on solid data brings the country closer to its target of halving road deaths by 2030.
IRF Welcomes New Team Members with Strong International Expertise
The International Road Federation (IRF) is a well-established and respected organisation with over 75 years of experience promoting safer, more inclusive and sustainable road mobility systems. Our reputation is built on the quality and commitment of our staff, and we are pleased to welcome three accomplished professionals whose diverse expertise will strengthen our work across advocacy, project management and senior advice.
Iona Kirkpatrick – Project Manager
English | German | Russian | French
Iona Kirkpatrick joins the IRF with a multilingual background in Russian and German, and hands-on experience managing educational and research-based international projects. A graduate of Durham University, she began her career in translation before completing a master’s degree in EU Project Management. She went on to manage educational programmes across Africa and Asia with the Child & Family Foundation and later worked as an EU Project Manager in the field of connected and automated mobility at Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH. Iona brings a strong understanding of cross-border coordination and EU funding mechanisms, which will support IRF’s growing portfolio of international projects.
Alice Yiu – Head of Advocacy and Outreach
Cantonese | English | Mandarin
With over a decade of experience driving global action on climate and mobility, Alice Yiu now leads IRF’s global outreach and advocacy strategy. Before joining the IRF, Alice was Director of Communications and Outreach at the SLOCAT Partnership. She played a key role in representing the transport sector in international climate forums, including UN Climate Summits, and led the development of several landmark knowledge products such as the Global Status Reports. Her background in building alliances and advancing policy engagement ensures that the IRF will continue to be a reliable and influential voice in multilateral processes.
Brendan Halleman – Senior Advisor
English | French
Brendan Halleman brings to the IRF over 25 years of experience in road safety and infrastructure development. A French and Irish national, he has worked with international and multilateral institutions to support the creation of road networks that are safe, accessible and environmentally sustainable. Prior to joining the IRF, Brendan was Senior Road Safety Advisor at the European Investment Bank. There, he led efforts to enhance project appraisal and monitoring practices, strengthen client capacity and coordinate engagement with both institutional partners and the private sector. His practical knowledge and long-standing commitment to safer roads will directly support IRF's technical initiatives and strategic partnerships.
IRF Leaders in Athens Urge Collaboration to Tackle Traffic Challenges
Across the world, road networks are under increasing tension with the rising economic activity, rapid urbanisation, and a steady rebound in car ownership. Global passenger car sales not only recovered after the pandemic, but surpassed previous records, with over 75 million vehicles sold in 2023 and an estimated 77 million in 2024.
This challenge framed discussions at the International Symposium "Navigating the Future of Traffic Management" in Athens, Greece (29 June – 3 July) where the International Road Federation (IRF) led the closing plenary session, "Global Partnerships to Reach the Destination Needed Collaboration and Targets." Moderated by IRF Acting Director General Gonzalo Alcaraz, the session featured IRF President Dimitris Mandalozis alongside global experts, collectively issuing a powerful call for integrated approaches and cooperation.
A core message resonated: managing traffic effectively demands breaking down traditional silos. "Traffic is no longer managed in isolation," stressed IRF President Dimitris Mandalozis, drawing on his role as COO of Greece's Aegean Motorways. "It requires integration, not just in data or technology, but in planning, governance, and day-to-day operations." This imperative for multi-agency control centres and unified corridor planning was reinforced by Jianming Ma (Texas DOT, AASHTO).
While technology offers significant potential, speakers emphasised practical deployment challenges. Mandalozis pointed to Co-operative, Connected & Automated Mobility (CCAM) as transformative, explaining how precision algorithms in automated vehicles can smooth traffic flow.
The panel agreed that scaling up efforts requires meaningful collaboration, supported by clear incentives. Angelos Amditis suggested rewards such as international recognition and funding schemes that promote openness. Mandalozis outlined key conditions for success: formal agreements between agencies, joint funding mechanisms, aligned regulations, strong data-sharing systems, and investment in cross-border training.
He positioned the IRF as central to this mission: "This is precisely the role that the International Road Federation seeks to play. We continue to serve as a bridge... IRF stands ready to convene partners... to co-develop roadmaps and pilot initiatives."
Connecting physical infrastructure with digital control systems requires new operational approaches and further research. Mandalozis stressed that the focus should be on practical integration, such as prioritising public transportation.
As Mr. Alcaraz said “Mounting congestion is not just a matter of delays and lost economic productivity. In most cities, automobile traffic is now the leading contributor to both air and noise pollution. The consequences are real and measurable, from respiratory illness and cardiovascular risk to reduced quality of life, especially for vulnerable populations.”
To close the session, Mandalozis aptly summarised, "The future of traffic management depends not only on what we build, but on how we work together to build it," underscoring the collective resolve for integrated global action.
With that, the IRF concluded a successful week at the International Symposium “Navigating the Future of Traffic Management”. We had a strong presence with a dedicated stand, hosted our Annual General Assembly where key leadership decisions were made, and held the IRF 2025 Awards Ceremony, recognising 14 innovative projects in the sector.
