PERMANENT INTERNATIONAL
PIARC
ASSOCIATION OF ROAD CONGRESSES
BRITISH NATIONAL
COMMITTEE
ROOM 4/78, ST CHRISTOPHER HOUSE
SOUTHWARK STREET
LONDON SE1 OTE
TEL: 071-921-4329 & 4349
TELEX: 21352. FAX: 071-921-4505
BRITISH PIARC
Patron: President: Chairman:
Honorary Secretary: Honorary Treasurer:
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT A. P. BROWN
J. A. TURNBULL, CBE
A. R. DOHERTY CEng, MICE MRS. F. WATSON
The Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC) is the international forum for all those involved in the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of roads. The objective of PIARC is to improve international cooperation and to foster progress in
the formulation of road transportation policies,
the planning, construction, improvement and maintenance of roads
the operation and management of road systems
within the context of wider policies towards transport.
PIARC was founded in 1909, following the first World Road Congress in Paris in 1908. It is the oldest international association concerned with roads and road building techniques. It is non-political and non-profit making. In 1970 PIARC was granted consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
PIARC is currently supported by 64 national governments across all five continents, and has members in a further 21 countries. PIARC also has an association with regional bodies with similar aims and objectives.
The British section of PIARC has always been strongly supported by central government. The UK government has been a member of PIARC since its inception. The Secretary of State for Transport is the Patron of the PIARC British National Committee (BNC). The Department of Transport also provides the Secretariat to the British National Committee. The membership includes local authorities, professional institutions, universities, consultants, trade associations, manufacturers, contractors and private individuals.
PIARC
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AIPCR
PARIS HQ: 27 rue Guénégaud, 75006, Paris
The international affairs of PIARC are directed by an Executive Committee, subject generally to the approval of the Permanent International Commission. Currently, there is one British member on the Executive Committee and five British members on the Permanent International Commission.
PIARC exchange views on the latest developments in road technology through National Congresses in the member countries and through World Road Congresses held every four years. In recent years the World Congress has been held in Japan (1967), Czechoslovakia (1971), Mexico (1975), Austria (1979), Australia (1983) Belgium (1987) and Morocco in 1991. The next World Congress will be held in Montreal, Canada in 1995.
The work of PIARC continues between World Road Congresses. There are currently thirteen international technical Committees and four Working Groups which meet regularly and report on matters of international concern in the following fields:
Committees
Surface Characteristics
Technological Exchanges and Development
Interurban Roads
Road Tunnels
Road Management
Concrete Roads
Earthworks, Drainage & Subgrade
Working Groups
PIARC Winter Road Congress
Reduction of Natural Disasters
Economics and Finance
Roads in Urban Areas
Road Bridges Flexible Roads
Road Safety Environment
Heavy Freight Vehicle Issues
Modern Traffic Control & Management
Membership of the Committees and Working Groups is a recognition of high professional standing. The UK has two members on each Committee and Working Group at present and holds the Chairmanship of the Committee on Road Safety. In addition to presenting reports at the World Congress, giving an account of the work they have undertaken since the previous Congress, the Committees issue guidance on matters of topical interest.
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All PIARC activities including discussions at Congress are expected to assist the concerns of both 'decision makers' and 'technical experts'. They are intended to be both international and innovatory and to take account of the problems of developing regions as well as advanced countries.
The Central Office of the Association, located in Paris, ensures that the interests of PIARC members are fully represented on appropriate bodies worldwide and all major international highway conferences. The PIARC Bulletin - ‘Routes/Roads' - is issued quarterly to all members and gives information on international road matters, conferences, etc. Bulletins are frequently sponsored by a particular country and feature major features on a that country. The United Kingdom sponsored edition of the Bulletin published in August 1992.
British PIARC, in common with a number of other countries, is managed by a National Committee. The object of a National Committee is to represent the International Association in that country, to enhance the prestige and extend the influence of the Association, and to assist the Executive Committee and Permanent International Commission in their work. The objectives of the British National Committee include
organising national congresses and technical visits,
helping to organise and participate in the activities of the Association and in its World Congresses,
proposing subjects to be dealt with at World Congresses and in the PIARC Technical Committees and Working Groups,
providing the Association with information on their country's road and road transport activities,
managing, on behalf of the Executive Committee, a worldwide review of PIARC activities.
The British National Committee consists of between twenty and thirty members, drawn from the whole spectrum of the 160 strong membership. It meets at least annually.
The general administration of British PIARC is in the hands of the BNC Secretariat which acts as the PIARC focal point for UK members. The Secretariat is located within the Roads and Traffic Overseas Liaison Group of the Department of Transport. PIARC publications are available in the UK through
the Secretariat.
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