Registrations for the IRF Annual Conference are open
Registrations are open for the IRF Annual Conference, set from 2-4 December as a 3-day online experience that will gather experts from the sector from all over the world.
With the theme “Reimagining Roads for Inclusive, Safe, Green and Efficient Mobility”, the Conference brings IRF members and partners together each year to share knowledge, spark practical solutions and drive transformative change in how mobility systems are designed, managed, and experienced.
Read the transcription of IRF Acting Director General Gonzalo Alcaraz's message:
Hello everyone, my name is Gonzalo Alcaraz, Acting Director General of the International Road Federation.
From the 2nd to the 4th of December, the Online IRF Annual Conference will bring together our global community of road transport change-makers and will explore how the sector is shaping the future of mobility.
With the first UN Decade of Sustainable Transport starting in 2026, this conference also offers a vital opportunity to set the stage and demonstrate how our sector can make a meaningful contribution to its success.
It is my pleasure to invite you to join us for this online gathering. It’ll be a chance to learn from best practices, discover new innovations and connect with peers worldwide. We look forward to welcoming you. Registration is now open.
For more information about the Annual Conference, visit this page.
Ten Step Plan in Senegal: Training on Road Safety Engineering Begins
Dakar, Senegal | 29 September to 1 October - Road crashes are the biggest killer of young people worldwide, and the injury burden impacts every country on earth. In total, 1.19 million people are killed and 30-50 million people are injured in preventable road crashes every year. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists account for nearly half of all road deaths and a significant proportion of injuries.
Road infrastructure plays a significant role in influencing the likelihood or severity of a crash. An undivided road with head-on risk built-in, a high-speed road with dangerous roadsides or an urban road with no facilities for safe pedestrian or cyclist movement are just some examples of road features that impact crashes. The cost of road trauma is estimated to be 3-6% of national GDP each and every year in low and middle-income countries.
Unlocking the potential of safer roads to save lives, save money and achieve the UN Global Road Safety Performance Targets is the focus of the Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure Project.
The project is a collaborative effort between the Government of Senegal, through the Ministry of Infrastructure, Land, and Air Transport (MITTA) and ANASER and the consortium joined by the IRF along with the International Road Assessment Programme - iRAP, PIARC (World Road Association) and LASER International, with support from the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and FIA Foundation.
The three-day training event
The training focused on ‘road safety engineering,’ with a particular emphasis on the new PIARC Road Safety Manual. The event saw 20 participants from a range of key organizations, including the Senegal National Road Safety Agency (ANASER), Ageroute, the General Directorate of Road Infrastructure and Accessibility (DGIRD), universities, and the Executive Council of Urban Transport in Dakar (CETUD). This session is the first of a series of in-person trainings and complements the ongoing electronic training platform, which currently serves over 150 participants.
The Ten Step Senegal Project is a three-year initiative funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF). The project aims to improve road infrastructure safety by strengthening capacities through training, updating road design standards, and implementing targeted strategies.
The project works to create synergies with other internationally funded road projects, provide key performance indicators and recommendations, and support the implementation of the National Road Safety Plan.
The Ten Step Plan for Safer Road Infrastructure Project for safer roads
The World Health Organization estimates that road crashes claim more than 3,500 lives every year in Senegal, and result in over 40,000 more injuries, with a national economic burden of US $1.4 billion. National data shows road crashes are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24, and the second leading cause among 25-39 year-olds, after AIDS.
Senegal is only the second country in the Africa to use the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) Ten Steps approach, following its award-winning implementation in Tanzania. The Ten Step Plan framework has been produced by the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration (UNRSC) partners to support countries seeking to implement initiatives in relation to the “improved safety of road infrastructure and broader transport networks”, the UN Convention on Road Traffic and Road Signs and Signals, and the achievement of UN Member States agreed Global Targets 3 and 4 for safer new and existing roads.
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.
