WORKSHOP:
The European Concrete Paving Association (EUPAVE) organized a Workshop dedicated to its members and partners on “Successes and Failures in Promotion of Concrete Paving–Learning from Others”, on December 11, 2017 at the Metropole Hotel in the center of Brussels, Belgium. This seminar included various presentations from Belgium, Poland, Spain, Italy and Netherlands.
Mr. André Burger, Vice-President-EUPAVE, opened the Workshop and introduced the objectives of the meeting, such as discussing the current situation of concrete pavements in Europe and analyzing the existing market barriers. The first results of a survey, that was circulated among members and partners, about the market of concrete pavements and barriers were also released. The results of the consultation should be released in 2018.
Mr. Luc Rens, Managing Director-EUPAVE, presented the case of concrete cycle paths in Belgium which represent 58% of all cycle paths. Mr. Jan Deja, Director-The Polish Cement Association, presented the concrete motorways of the country. In Poland about 650 kms of motorways and 800 kms of local roads are built with concrete. After lunch, Mr. Rafael Rueda, IECA, introduced the concrete paving for ports—for example the Port of Valencia. Mr. Paolo Piersantelli, Calcestruzzi, discussed concrete for tunnels in Italy. He discussed how a number of tunnel fires in Europe showed the tragic effects of road accidents. “Consequences that have clearly demonstrated the need for an appropriate choice of materials to ensure high safety and reliable availability to traffic,” he said. Mr. Wim Kramer, Cement&Beton Centrum, ended the Workshop with a presentation on the advantages of using concrete for overnight truck parking—with examples from the Netherlands.
10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:
On December 13, 2017, EUPAVE held its 10-year Anniversary Event with theme “The Future of Sustainable Transport Infrastructure in Europe” at the Metropole Hotel in the city-centre of Brussels, Belgium. The event was attended by members and partners of the Association and invited guests. The evening was also the occasion to discuss the future of transportation infrastructure in Europe. All stakeholders of the main International and European road-related organizations were represented and gave their views on the main theme. EUPAVE is a non-for-profit association, promoting the contribution of cement and concrete to a sustainable infrastructure and an efficient transport system since December 4, 2007—when the six founding members signed the Articles of the Association. Mr. Luc Rens, Managing Director-EUPAVE, was the moderator of the evening.
Mr. André Burger, Vice-President-EUPAVE gave a short presentation on the history of EUPAVE and highlighted the major events of the past decade. Mr. Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General-DG Environment, emphasized the need for more resource efficient and sustainable infrastructure construction within the EU member states, stating, “Sustainability and competitiveness are no longer incompatible.” The challenges and opportunities in terms of circular economy for our sector were also mentioned. Mr. Claude Van Rooten, President-the World Road Association presented the future challenges of the road sector. Mr. Steve Phillips, Conference of European Directors of Roads, Mr. Christophe Nicodème European Union Road Federation, Mr.
Thierry Goger, Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories, and by video, Mr. Gerald Voigt, CEO-American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA), and Mr. Jeffery Roesler, President-International Society for Concrete Pavements (ISCP) shared a few words on their history and collaboration with EUPAVE. Mr. Stéphane Nicoud, President-EUPAVE, ended the speeches with a look into the future of the Association, and presented EUPAVE’s brand new website and refreshed logo. He ended with, “[We] will do more and do better in the forthcoming ten years.”
For the new website, please go to: www.eupave.eu
For the ISCP article on EUPAVE’s new website and updated logo, please go to: https://www.concretepavements.org/2017/12/13/eupave-announces-launch-of-a-brand-new-website-updated-logo/
For the Press Release, please go to: https://www.eupave.eu/wp-content/uploads/PRESS-RELEASE-EUPAVE-10-year-anniversary-event.pdf