The International Road Federation (IRF) – Roads Australia (RA) Regional Conference for Asia and Australasia, the largest of its type to be held in the Asia-Pacific region concluded in Sydney today calling for thought leadership within the national and international road sector when it comes to addressing the pandemic of Road Safety. Under the theme of road safety and innovating for the future, the joint regional conference has affirmed Roads Australia’s and the IRF’s commitment to the goals of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action for Road Safety – to stabilise and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities around the world by increasing activities conducted at national, regional and global levels. Both the IRF and RA have pledged to work through their respective policy arms to advance these goals at both industry and government levels. The conference also reaffirms our organisations’ respective commitments to working with stakeholders to facilitate and support the adoption of best-practice in ITS and the implementation of technology to facilitate better outcomes for road users and communities worldwide. The conference has reviewed a number of innovative case studies, highlighting the significant growth of ITS in improving global road network operations. From a funding and financing perspective, we support the trialling of road usage charging where suitable and applicable, particularly in an Australian context. The industry will continue to work with all stakeholders to promote sensible debate and further investigations in this area which is gaining traction worldwide.
The IRF and RA called upon leaders from various countries to support the move to place the issue of road safety on a higher pedestal in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN, which will be finalised in September 2015. It was urged upon the leadership to assist in the propagation of this important and critical issue far and wide, so it garners a large number of votes and is included in the SDGs. The conference, which has been the largest of its type to be held in the Asia-Pacific region, has welcomed 90+ speakers and 300+ delegates and dignitaries from more than a dozen countries including Canada; China; France; Greece; India; the Netherlands; New Zealand; the Philippines; South Africa; Switzerland; USA; UK; Vietnam; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. We see the conference as a springboard for greater regional and international cooperation to advance the worldwide cause of better, safer roads, and undertake to support and strengthen ties across industry and governments worldwide to realise this goal.
About IRF
Established in 1948, IRF is a membership-based organisation, representing leading corporate and institutional players drawn from the road and mobility sectors worldwide. Its mission is to promote the development of roads and road networks that enable access and sustainable mobility for all. Its approach is centred on key strategic components of knowledge transfer & information sharing, connecting people, businesses and organisations and policy & advocacy. Through its Expert Groups and Committees that address key economic, environmental and social issues, IRF is qualified and able to make a decisive global contribution to the transport sector. As a not-for-profit organisation, based in Switzerland, IRF provides a neutral and global platform for the road and mobility sectors. www.irfnet.ch
About Roads Australia
Roads Australia is a not-for-profit, non-political industry association. Its members are drawn from all corners of the Australian road sector. RA champions the interests of a vital national asset – Australia’s road transport system – and provide a forum for policy development, networking and communication. Specifically, it seeks to draw attention to the importance of Australia’s road network to the economic and social fabric of the nation, and to ensure that information and decision-making in relation to roads and road transport is well informed and reflects an appropriate level of priorities. www.roads.org.au
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