Global Road Voices

PIARC
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Welcome to Global Road Voices, the PIARC podcast. Our goal is to introduce listeners to key transport topics such as road administration, mobility, safety, sustainability, and the resilience of infrastructure. Together with experts from PIARC’s Technical Committees, we dive deep into these issues and explore innovative solutions to today’s challenges. Tune in to discover how PIARC – the World Road Association – views roads as a public good and works to improve them worldwide.

Episodes

  1. 17h ago

    1x07 Pavement Surface Characteristics: Shaping the Roads of Tomorrow

    What does it take to build safer, more durable and more sustainable roads for the future? In this episode, we explore the future of road pavements, from innovative materials and pavement performance to maintenance, recycling and reducing the environmental impact of road infrastructure. Meet the experts • Miguel Caso Flórez, Secretary General of PIARC; • Diana Sánchez, Pavement engineering professional at AtkinsRéalis, bringing expertise in pavement engineering and road surface characteristics. • Yu Yan, Professor at a university in Shanghai, China, contributing an academic perspective on pavement engineering. • Richard Wix,  Discipline Leader for Infrastructure Measurement at Australia’s National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO), specialising in infrastructure measurement and pavement performance. • Shigeki Takahashi, Professor at Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Japan, contributing academic expertise in pavement engineering. Building more sustainable pavements PIARC’s Technical Committee 4.1 brings together international experts to exchange knowledge and develop technical guidance on pavements and road surface characteristics. Its work covers pavement quality monitoring, surface treatments, urban pavements, low-cost solutions and ways to reduce the carbon footprint of road construction and use. Through the perspectives of our guests, this episode highlights the importance of innovation, international collaboration and knowledge-sharing in developing more durable, resilient and sustainable road infrastructure. Discover PIARC’s work on pavements and sustainable road infrastructure: https://www.piarc.org/

  2. Oct 20

    1x06 Financing the Future of Roads: Funding, Investment and Procurement

    PIARC’s latest podcast episode is here! This episode focuses on “Financing the Future of Roads”, exploring the key challenges and opportunities surrounding road financing, investment and procurement, and the strategies needed to support the development, maintenance and long-term sustainability of road infrastructure. Hear from leading experts and members of PIARC’s Technical Committee on Finance and Procurement: • Nadia Lappa, PIARC’s Deputy Secretary General • Hyunju Back (Iris), PIARC Technical Advisor, responsible for Strategic Theme 1 – Road Administration, and member of PIARC Technical Committee 1.3 • Andrew Warrington, Senior Technical Director at Arcadis • Óscar de Buen Richkarday, former President of PIARC (2013–2016) • Rafael Aldrete, Chair of PIARC Technical Committee 1.3 on Finance and Procurement Through their diverse perspectives and expertise, this episode explores the issues shaping the financing of road infrastructure, the role of investment and procurement approaches, and the importance of international cooperation in sharing knowledge and developing effective solutions for the road sector. PIARC experts are internationally recognized specialists appointed by one of PIARC’s 128 member countries. Working within PIARC Technical Committees, they collaborate to develop international knowledge and best practices that support the advancement of road infrastructure worldwide. Learn more about PIARC’s work on road financing and procurement: piarc.org

    1x06 Financing the Future of Roads: Funding, Investment and Procurement

  3. Oct 19

    1x05 Connecting through tunnels

    PIARC’s fifth podcast episode is now live! It focuses on “Road Tunnels” — exploring the latest developments in tunnel operation, safety, resilience, and innovation, while highlighting the importance of international collaboration in addressing the challenges of modern tunnel infrastructure. Hear from leading experts and participants of the “3rd PIARC International Conference on Road Tunnels Operations and Safety”, taking place from 30 September to 2 October 2026 in Krakow, Poland: • Ingo Kaundinya, Chair of the PIARC Technical Committee 4.4 “Tunnels” and Head of the Tunnels Section at the German Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute (BASt) • Kate Hunt, Working Group Leader of the PIARC Technical Committee 4.4 “Tunnels” and Head of Tunnel Systems at WSP • Przemysław Padło, Working Group Leader of the PIARC Technical Committee 4.4 “Tunnels” and Head of Department at the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways in Poland Presented by Mallory Trouvé, PIARC’s Technical Director, this episode explores the work of PIARC’s Technical Committee on Tunnels, the key topics discussed during the conference, and the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of tunnel operations and safety. PIARC experts are internationally recognized specialists appointed by one of PIARC’s 128 member countries. Working within PIARC Technical Committees, they collaborate to develop international knowledge and best practices that support safer, more resilient, and more sustainable road infrastructure worldwide. Learn more about PIARC’s work on tunnels: piarc.org

    1x05 Connecting through tunnels

  4. 10/10/2025

    1x04 Rethinking Freight for a Sustainable Future

    PIARC’s fourth podcast episode is now live! It focuses on Sustainable Freight — exploring how road transport can evolve to reduce its environmental impact while ensuring efficiency and reliability. Hear from leading experts: • Patrick Malléjacq, Secretary General of PIARC • Olivier Quoy, CEO of Atlandes (motorway company) and Chair of PIARC Technical Committee 2.3 “Sustainable Freight” They share insights on the challenges and opportunities of greener freight transport, innovative solutions, and how international cooperation can drive a more sustainable future for the sector. Learn more about PIARC’s work on sustainable freight: https://www.piarc.org/en/ Available on: [YouTube] (with video and subtitles in English; French and Spanish coming soon) Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music

    1x04 Rethinking Freight for a Sustainable Future

  5. 06/23/2025

    1x03 Road Safety: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions

    PIARC’s third podcast episode is now live. It focuses on road safety in practice. Hear from leading experts: • John Milton, USA, Chair of PIARC Technical Committee 3.1 "Road Safety" • John Barrell, UK, Member of the Committee 3.1 "Road Safety" • Miguel Caso Flórez, Spain, PIARC Technical Director (moderator) They discuss real-world insights on policy implementation, technical challenges, and how to foster a safety culture globally. Road Safety Manual: https://roadsafety.piarc.org/en Available on: [YouTube] (with video and subtitles in English; French and Spanish coming soon) Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music

    1x03 Road Safety: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions

  6. 05/02/2025

    1x02 Paving the Way to Net Zero: PIARC’s Global Push for Decarbonization

    In this episode of Global Road Voices, host Nadia Lappa (Technical Advisor for Decarbonisation) speaks with leading experts Fabio Pasquali (Strategic Theme Coordinator for Decarbonization) and Jan Pettersson (Chair of the Technical Committee 3.5) to unpack one of the most urgent issues facing the transport sector—decarbonization. With roads accounting for a quarter of global CO₂ emissions, this conversation explores how countries are tackling the transition to net zero, the role of international collaboration, emerging technologies like Electric Road Systems, and what’s needed to turn bold climate commitments into real-world impact. Recorded just ahead of PIARC’s first-ever International Conference on Road Decarbonization in Vienna in May 2025, this episode offers insights into the innovations, policies, and partnerships shaping a sustainable transport future. Useful links: Electric road systems: a solution for the future?, Technical Report, https://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/29690-en-Electric%20road%20systems:%20a%20solution%20for%20the%20future

    1x02 Paving the Way to Net Zero: PIARC’s Global Push for Decarbonization

  7. 04/03/2025

    1X01 Christos Xenophontos

    The changing role of transport agencies: Why adaptation is key? Transport agencies around the world are evolving— but why is change necessary? In this episode, PIARC Secretary General Patrick Malléjacq sits down with Christos Xenophontos, Chair of PIARC Technical Committee 1.1 Performance of Transport Administrations and representative of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (USA), to discuss the future of transport governance. Drawing on insights from the PIARC Technical Report “Envisioning the Transport Agency of the Future – State of Knowledge”, they explore how transport agencies can embrace research and innovation to drive economic growth and sustainable development. The conversation highlights how the sector is responding to rapid technological, environmental, and societal changes, with a special focus on the role of Artificial Intelligence in transportation networks. Finally, they emphasize the importance of a skilled workforce in bringing transport policies to life. Useful links: Envisioning the Transport Agency of the Future, Technical Report https://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/45224-en-Envisioning%20the%20Transport%20Agency%20of%20The%20Future%20–%20State%20of%20Knowledge Evaluating the Transformation of Transport Administrations, Technical Report https://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/31283-en-Evaluating%20the%20Transformation%20of%20Transport%20Administrations%20-%20Technical%20Report

    1X01 Christos Xenophontos
  • 7 Episodes

About

Welcome to Global Road Voices, the PIARC podcast. Our goal is to introduce listeners to key transport topics such as road administration, mobility, safety, sustainability, and the resilience of infrastructure. Together with experts from PIARC’s Technical Committees, we dive deep into these issues and explore innovative solutions to today’s challenges. Tune in to discover how PIARC – the World Road Association – views roads as a public good and works to improve them worldwide.

Information

  • Creator
    PIARC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Global Road Voices
  • Show Website
    Global Road Voices