1913-2013, cento anni di partecipazione dell'Italia all'Associazione Mondiale della Strada

In 2013, the Italian National Committee celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Italian government's membership in the Permanent International Associatiun of Road Congresses (PIARC), which has since become the World Road Association.

This key milestone has been attained thanks to the critical supporting role played by Italy over the years, in conjunction with the Association and the other member countries. Italy's technical competence has specifically contributed to (sometimes difficult) selection processes in the international arena and in challenging sectors involving road maintenance - even for Italy - involving transport safety and sustainability.

This set of circumstances has now taken on an increasingly strategic importance in light of the Italian government's determined commitment in favor of road infrastructure.

Moreover, the past few years have witnessed a significant allocation of financial resources towards modernizing the Salerno-Reggio Calabria Motorway and equipping it with the most highly innovative technologies. Four hundred forty-three kilometers long, this motorway serves as the main corridor connecting southern Italy and the rest or the country, in traversing a region with many geographic obstacles due to the sharp relief. Simultaneously, the Italian government approved a Grand Plan to perform extraordinary maintenance focusing on bridges, tunnels and viaducts.

In response to the tremendous capital commitments Italy had contracted and in spite of the economic crisis shaking the entire international community over the past five years, Italy's National Committee has continued to uphold its responsibility to provide members with a complete range of services. The Committee has never failed in its role as watchful observer of the rapidly transforming reality on the ground: its action plan has always sought to identify new problems and their practical solutions. Its role has expanded, notably through cooperation with the Committee's various national members and - within the scope of the World Road Association - with the full array
of international institutions and organizations.

With a new batch of members recently appointed, the Italian National Committee will continue its missions according to this same approach, in the aim of establishing itself as a trusted benchmark for the road sector's various actors. Ultimately, the Committee is intent on achieving - through collaboration to the greatest extent possible - the kind of common transport policy that the European Union is so actively pursuing.

In looking forward to Italy's National Road Congress, scheduled every four years, and then the 2015 World Road Congress in Seoul, the Technical Committees (TC) have accelerated their study and research programs.

Alongside these commitments, Rome was also the venue for a meeting organized by TC 2.5 Rural road systems and accessibility to rural areas, while Milan hosted the TC 3.1 National road safety policies and programs.

Kudos are in order for the effort undertaken by the World Road Association’s Road Tunnel Operations Technical Committee to prepare the Road Tunnel Manual for a lay audience; the Italian edition is presently available online.

The newly named Italian National Committee immediately adopted the full state of Association commitments by injecting momentum into all Technical Committees, as a means of intensifying their activities in view of the upcoming international events.

Another “hot topic” is Italy’s participation at the 14th International Winter Road Congress held February 2014 in Andorra; the National Committee designed an Italian pavilion, in collaboration with Anas S.p.A., the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and other partners in the sector of road and highway maintenance.

Reaching the 100-year mark is an event that cannot go unnoticed: the Italian National Committee wanted to showcase this milestone by holding in Rome, November 4th through 8th 2013, the meetings of both the World Road Association’s Executive Committee and Council.

The National Committee rallied its members to ensure success of these major international gatherings in Rome, which welcomed 180 delegates representing all Association member countries.

Given the exceptional nature of the event, we pulled out all the stops, in honoring the best of Italian traditions by combining hospitality, style and culture, to promote the success of this assembly. We’re confident that the moment will be remembered in the hearts and minds of all participants.