IRF data 2018: Europe sees a decrease in road expenditure and road maintenance expenditure

The IRF World Road Statistics (WRS) 2018 edition has just been released. First analysis of the data on road expenditure and road maintenance expenditure in Europe shows a decrease of 11% and 8%, respectively, for the period of 2011 to 2016. Investing in roads and their maintenance is essential for economic growth and the mobility of a region. Maintenance by itself is crucial since poorly maintained roads lead to a downfall of the road network value, resulting in higher future costs related to road safety,
December 11, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
The 1201 IRF Geneva World Road Statistics (WRS) 2018 edition has just been released. First analysis of the data on road expenditure and road maintenance expenditure in Europe shows a decrease of 11% and 8%, respectively, for the period of 2011 to 2016.


Investing in roads and their maintenance is essential for economic growth and the mobility of a region. Maintenance by itself is crucial since poorly maintained roads lead to a downfall of the road network value, resulting in higher future costs related to road safety, accessibility and operating vehicles.

Available data provided by the WRS 2018 includes the total road expenditures from Central, Local/Regional government and the private sector, with a breakdown of data into total road investments, road maintenance and other recurrent costs. The first analysis highlights important findings for the European region.

Total European road expenditure (investments, maintenance and other costs) in 2016 has decreased by 11% vs 2011, driven by a significant expenditure decline in Spain and France, partially offset by an increase in UK spending during the same period.

Total European road maintenance expenditure in 2016 has decreased by 8% vs 2011, primarily driven by decreased spending in UK and France.

The graph shows the year by year percentage change, as well as the total percentage change, of European Road and Road Maintenance Expenditure for the 2011-2016 period.

During the period of 2011 to 2016, the European region continuously decreased its spending on its road network, with the exemption of the period of 2014-2015 where there was a marginal increase of 1%. Multiple economic and policy factors are at the base of this decrease mainly driven by Spain and France which represent two of the main freight transport corridors in Europe.

Road maintenance expenditure in Europe also show a decreasing trend. There has been a continuous decline, with the only exception being 2015-2016 where maintenance expenditure was flat. The primary causes for this decline are periodic maintenance contracts and economic factors. It is interesting to highlight that the UK shows a decrease in road maintenance expenditure whilst total road expenditure is increasing. There was a clear focus on new road investments during the 2011-2016 period, with UK road investments being almost double their road maintenance expenditure.

The new WRS 2018 encompass updated data of over 200 countries: Country Profile, Road Networks, Road Traffic, Multimodal Traffic Comparisons, Vehicles in Use, Road Accidents, Vehicles Industry (Production, Imports, Exports and First Registrations), Road Expenditures & Revenues, and Fuel Energy Prices.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Mixed US transportation outlook for 2012 according to ARTBA
    April 26, 2012
    The outlook for the 2012 transportation construction market is mixed, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association's (ARTBA). The 2012 Transportation Construction Market forecast from ARTBA shows that the industry will face uncertain times during next year.
    Read More
  • IRF Executives Talks: shaping the future of Intelligent transportation
    August 29, 2024
    Technological advances for the intelligent transportation sector are developing at incredible speed globally. For many leaders in the sector, one of the biggest challenges is how they should use new technology to shape the future of intelligent transportation. SWARCO chief executive, Michael Schuch, put forward his ideas in conversation with IRF Director General Susanna Zammataro ahead of the IRF World Congress in Istanbul in October.
    Read More
  • Intermat 2009 promises to be bigger than before
    July 4, 2012
    For 2009, the Intermat exhibition will prove a major event on the off-highway equipment calendar This year's Intermat construction equipment exhibition in Paris promises a great deal for the visitor. The show will feature a total surface area of 180,000m² including 30,000m² of outside demonstration areas and this represents 7% more space than for the previous exhibition in 2006. Some 1,320 companies are exhibiting and come from 43 countries, with 64% of exhibitors coming from outside France. Around 209,032
    Read More
  • Wacker Neuson’s strong growth in third quarter
    November 8, 2019
    The Wacker Neuson Group reports strong growth in its business activities in its third quarter for 2019. There was a double-digit rise in revenue to €467.2 million, a growth of 12.4% over the €415.8 million recorded for the same period in 2018. However the EBIT ratio was slightly below the result for the previous year at €40.2 million, a drop of 4%. The firm says that this growth was fuelled by significant gains in all three reporting regions. Group revenue for the first nine months of the year amounted t
    Read More

Highlighted Content