IHT Evening Seminar Thursday 11 June 2009 Jim Barton World Road Association UK First Delegate www.wra-uk.org

Introduction What is the WRA? WRA and its membership How is WRA governed and managed? What is it doing? Internationally UK level - role of IHT

Vision of the World Road Association “The World Road Association will be the world leader in the exchange of knowledge on roads and road transport policy and practices within an integrated sustainable transport context.”

Mission of WRA Being a leading international forum for analysis and discussion of the full spectrum of transport issues relating to roads and road transport, Identifying, developing and disseminating best practices and giving better access to international information, Fully considering within its activities the needs of developing countries and countries in transition, Developing and promoting efficient tools for decision making on matters related to roads and road transport, Actively setting directions for the world’s transportation system.

Values Provide universal quality service to its members, To be open, objective and impartial, Promote sustainable, and sound economic solutions, Recognize road transport in an integrated transport and land use context, Customer (of the organisation) driven, Respect the differing international road transport needs.

Composition of WRA National governments – membership for UK through Highways Agency/Transport Scotland/Welsh Assembly/Northern Ireland Roads. Regional authorities (representatives of the first administrative tier below the national government); Collective members (such as associations, international organizations, companies ); Research institutes Individual members and Honorary members.

Current membership 111 national member governments. Two thirds of these members are developing countries (DC) and countries in economic transition (CIT). Over 2000 other members, about half of which are individual members.

Structure of WRA Council 111 Member Countries – represented by First Delegates Executive Committee President Past-President 2 Vice-Presidents 4 Strategic Theme Coordinators Representative of National Committees Members – including heads of Commissions

Structure of WRA

Work of WRA Four year cycle guided by Strategic Plan which covers Strategic Themes and Technical Committees. Current cycle 2008 to 2011. World Road Congress – reporting on work of Strategic Plan. Mexico 2011. Winter World Road Congress. Quebec 2010.

Strategic Themes and Technical Committees Strategic Theme A: Sustainability of the Road Transport System TC A.1 Sustainable Environment TC A.2 Financing, Managing and Contracting of Road System Investment TC A.3 Road System Economics and Social Development TC A.4 Rural Road Systems and Accessibility to Rural Areas

Strategic Themes and Technical Committees Strategic Theme B: Improving Provision of Services TC B.1 Good Governance of Road Administrations TC B.2 Road Network Operations TC B.3 Improved Mobility in Urban Areas TC B.4 Freight Transport and Inter Modality TC B.5 Winter Operation

Strategic Themes and Technical Committees Strategic Theme C: Safety of the Road System TC C.1 Safer Road Infrastructure TC C.2 Safer Road Operation TC C.3 Managing Operational Risk in National and International Road Operations TC C.4 Road Tunnel Operations

Strategic Themes and Technical Committees Strategic Theme D: Quality of Road Infrastructure TC D.1 Management of Road Infrastructure Assets TC D.2 Road Pavements Rigid pavements Flexible pavements TC D.3 Road Bridges TC D.4 Geotechnics and Unpaved Roads

National Committees National groups formed in countries. UK WRA is group for the four home countries. Sponsored by the home countries. Highways Agency handed over to Transport Scotland 2008.

Membership of UK WRA First Delegate – Jim Barton Chair – Steve Lee Hon. Sec. – John Smart IHT Home countries Collective and Individual members

WRA UK Activities Yearly Congresses AGM – with lunch Twice yearly meetings of members of technical and members of IHT Technical Boards Quarterly meetings of Executive Committee

World Road Association Thank you Jim Barton World Road Association UK First Delegate www.transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk