An Era of Mutual Cooperation

ROTREX 2009 coincides with the 2009 PIARC Council Meeting and the 13th REAAA Conference

The four-day global road and traffic festival has wrapped up a four-day run at Songdo Convensia, Incheon on Sept. 26, with the coincidence of the 13th REAAA Conference and the 2009 World Road Association (PIARC) Council Meeting ushering in an era of mutual cooperation and harmony.


















The gala coincided with the 3rd International Road and Traffic Expo (ROTREX 2009). It was also the first time that the REAAA (Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia) Conference and the PIARC Council meeting took place simultaneously.
The REAAA Conference, presided over by Chairman Yoo Kyong-soo, designated Judin Abdul Karim of Malaysia the next head of the organization and selected Malaysia as the next host nation for the international event.
Dr. Karim said in an interview, “The REAAA has made a considerable progress at a high standard under the current leadership. I will do what I can to maintain and upgrade it.”
PIARC President Anne-Marie Leclerc has asked Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Chung Jong-hwan if Korea would host the 2015 PIARC conference, regarded as the Olympics of the road and transport sector. Chung said the Korean government will consider the proposal until February next year to come up with its final position.
Korea has been eager to host the 2015 conference, since it failed in a similar bid for the 2011 event. Hosting the event will help enhance Korea’s image in the international community. Korea has managed to raise its national image with the successful hosting of a series of international events, which also made a considerable contribution to the promotion of cooperation and the exchange of information, experience and technologies in the road and traffic sector.
Some 3,500 domestic and foreign attendees proactively took part in various conferences, special sessions, technical sessions and other program, contributing to the success of the events.









More than 500 billion won worth of economic effect is expected, given the trade negotiations among businesses from Korea and other nations like Malaysia in particular. Korea Expressway Corp. CEO Lieu Chull-ho, also chairman of the Organizing Committee, reaped visible diplomatic fruits by signing MOUs with government officials from Malaysia and Bangladesh.
On Sept. 25, officials from PIARC and REAAA got together to sign MOUs on mutual exchange and cooperation among relevant associations. Earlier, Lieu also signed an MOU on road & traffic technology and information exchanges with Hiroyuki Fujikawa, chairman of the Japanese Road Association.
The technical sessions, which kicked off on Sept. 24, saw the presentation of a total of 300 papers in the areas of road traffic, environment sustainability, ITS and future roads.
In the meantime, the 8th HORA (Heads of Road Authorities) meeting was held under the theme “Low-carbon, green technology in road industries.” During the HORA meeting, co-chaired by REAAA President Yoo Kyong-soo, researchers from participating member countries, including host Korea, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Thailand, made their presentations on the status of their country’s low-carbon, green technology in the road industry.
Kieran Sharp of ARRB Group in Australia presented a paper, titled “Compendium on Good Practices of the Efficient Operation of the Road Network” on behalf of the REAAA Technical Committee.
The topic “Efficient Operation of Road Networks” was discussed at the 7th HORA Meeting in Tokyo in June 2008. Twelve member countries reported related good practices and measures taken. It was agreed that an advisory group would be set up to develop a compendium on Good Practices of the Efficient Operation of the Road Network.
Sharp said attaining congestion-free and smooth road traffic supporting a vital and environmentally-friendly society is a common desire among the REAAA member countries. From the viewpoint of making the most out of a limited budget and human resources, the efficient operation of existing road networks fully utilizing ITS and other innovations is expected to become increasingly important.
The HORA Meeting has been held every year as an important initiative of the REAAA since 2002 when the inaugural meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur. The 8th HORA Meeting will be the second to be held in Korea. The other meetings, in order, were held in Cairns, Australia; Manila, Philippines; Bangkok, Thailand; Manila; Gyeonggi-do, Korea; and Tokyo, Japan.
The farewell dinner was hosted by Lieu at the Songdo Convensia Premier Ballroom with farewell remarks by Deputy Minister of Transport Choi Jang-hyun and others, followed by a piano and flute performance.
Some 1,500 noted guests attended the closing ceremony consisting of the presentation of awards for papers presented, an overall assessment and farewell statements. nw

Deputy Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Choi Jang-hyun gives welcoming speech during an opening ceremony on Sept. 23.

Korea Expressway Corp. CEO Lieu Chull-ho, also chairman of the Organizing Committee, delivers an opening message.

Diverse meetings and technical sessions take place, including (far left, 1st row) the opening ceremony of the 23th REAAA Conference at Songdo Convensia and (left, below row) a PIARC meeting that was held at the Sheraton Incheon Hotel on Sept. 22. Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo (right, below row) speaks during an opening session.

Dir. Gen. Lee Jae-hong for Road Policy of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs speaks at a PIARC meeting.

PIARC President Anne-Marie Leclerc presides over a PIARC session.

REAAA President Yoo Kyong-soo delivers his commemorative speech at an REAAA meeting.

Judin Abdul Karim, next REAAA President

Dignitaries from Korea and abroad look around exhibition pavilions after attending a tape-cutting ceremony to officially open the 3rd International Road & Traffic Expo on Sept. 23.