Abstract
Since it was founded in 1909, the World Road Association (PIARC) has led the world as a unique international forum in the road and transport sector.
Throughout its history, PIARC has contributed to the enhancement of a better global road community, which in turn has promoted economic growth and social welfare.
Today, road sector actors, notably administrations, face ever more complex problems, in a rapidly changing environment. In order to respond to 21st century issues, PIARC has developed its Strategic Plan, to act as a future guideline for the Association. Whilst retaining international co-operation and technology transfer as key elements, this Plan re-orientates PIARC's activities in order to give special emphasis to the ever-evolving needs of its membership.
In this way, PIARC will build upon the legacy of ninety years of progress and innovation and will be more able to meet the challenges of the future in the sphere of road transport.
PIARCs most important activity is to run Technical Committees, which undertake studies on various topics related to roads and road transport issues. About 800 experts and decision-makers, from about fifty countries, are involved in twenty Technical Committees, which are grouped into five Strategic Themes. The Committees arrange seminars, and meet frequently, in order to promote technology transfer between member countries, which is one of PIARCs main aims. These seminars can be organised jointly with other international or regional associations. Also many specialised technical international associations including FISITA participate in PIARC Technical Committees or work in close contact with them.
The paper presents PIARC, its current activities and the corresponding expected outputs in the numerous fields, which are of common interest to PIARC and FISITA, namely:
-Road surface characteristics,
-Evaluation of impacts of road networks and transport policies,
-Freight transport by road,
-Road tunnel operation,
-Road safety,
-ITS technologies.