STA Newsletter
Issue # Q1 2024
A quarterly online journal providing news and background about activities undertaken by STA with a view to improving the methods, technologies and standards associated to transportation infrastructures.
9th STA General Meeting: Dr José F. Papí reappointed as STA President
STA’s General Meeting took place on 2 February 2024.
STA Members gathered virtually to address several issues, review the achievements and biggest milestones of the past year and plan for 2024.
The Members have decided to continue working closely on the topic of the taxonomy of environmentally sustainable road transport infrastructures, EU-funded projects focused on transportation, and also continue their commitment, to enhancing road safety in Europe’s roads and beyond, by launching the STA Safety+Excellence Labelling.
The Members unanimously reappointed for another two-year term Dr Jose F. Papí as STA President, under whose leadership the organisation has experienced strategic growth and progress in key areas since its foundation in December 2014. Additionally, all current seats of the Management Committee were reappointed for another 2-year mandate.
STA announces the launch of a brand new Safety+ Excellence Labelling for RRS
STA’s Technical Committee 2 on Smart Safety & Security is working toward the enhancement of road safety in Europe and beyond.
In 2023, STA published the results of a comprehensive research exercise, which was conducted and fully funded by STA Members over seven years.
The results have revealed existing EN1317 standards and overall a shocking lack of compliance to life-saving safety requirements.
Following the presentation of the results of the research exercise above to both the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR) and the PIARC World Road Congress, STA launched a brand new Safety+ Excellence Labelling for RRS. The ultimate goal of Safety+ Excellence Labelling is to provide a fair and objective assessment of the safety performance of CE-certified RRS to public authorities and consumers.
STA Smart Talks: Three brand new episodes released
The 2024 podcast season has kicked off with three transport infrastructure experts as guests.
In the third episode of the STA Smart Talks, STA President & Host Dr José F. Papí invites Dr Elena de la Peña, Deputy Director for Technical Affairs at the Spanish Road Association (AEC) & Chair of Smart Mobility (TC1) of STA, for an enlightening discourse, unlocking the most debated topic currently unfolding in the European sustainable finance space, the EU Taxonomy. The discussion follows the STA Discussion Paper “Transportation infrastructures in the EU Taxonomy”.
Also, do not miss the fourth episode with Mr Ricardo Lobo, Global Head of Innovation at Aleatica, for a fruitful discussion on how the EU taxonomy criteria can be applied to road transport operations. Mr Lobo presents real-case examples from his company, that pave the way for a more sustainable future for the transport industry.
In our latest episode, Mrs Emanuela Stocchi, Director of International Affairs at the Italian Association of Motorway and Tunnel Concessionaires (AISCAT), joins us for an insightful discussion that delved into the policy context of the EU Taxonomy for the road infrastructure sector. Mrs Stocchi highlighted the importance of the transparency criteria for national organisations.
Research into a Circular and Low Carbon Barrier brings STA Members together
On 19 December 2023, STA Members united in Valladolid, Spain.
Representatives from Aleatica, a global operator of transportation infrastructure, and Etelätär Innovation, a company offering innovative circular mobility solutions, together with the STA Secretariat, visited the office of the Research & Development department (R&D) within Road Steel Engineering at the Science Park University of Valladolid, Spain. The one-day meeting was focused on the recent research developments of Road Restraint Systems (RRS) towards a greener path, in full commitment to the green transition in Europe.
“Transport is connected to the most critical issues of our time. It contributes to people’s well-being. It allows access to goods and services necessary for a better quality of life.”
NEWS OF INTEREST
Intertraffic: Road traffic Accident KSI: The picture in Spain
An interview with Dr Elena de la Peña sharing her insights on road user safety in Spain.
Dr Elena de la Peña described in her interview the road safety figures in Spain and the reasons behind the plateauing of statistics. Additionally, she explained the measures implemented to reduce the number of road accidents, the challenges faced and the role of the road infrastructure sector.
Crash test data shows EVs may be too heavy to be stopped by safety guardrails on roads
Results from crash testing in the US have raised concerns.
Electric vehicles (EVs) that typically weigh more than internal combustion engine-powered cars can easily crash through steel guardrails on roads that are not designed to withstand the extra force.
That's according to findings from crash test data released on Wednesday by the University of Nebraska in the US, which has raised concerns about EVs and roadside safety.