Skip to main content

IRF launches global road diagnostic initiative

Transportation decision-makers will soon benefit from a new comparative study on the cost-effectiveness of road programme delivery. This will be thanks to the launch of a global benchmarking initiative by the International Road Federation using a methodology developed by McKinsey & Co. Globally, US$1.4 trillion is invested every year on transportation assets — including $700 billion for roads - as the world’s economies develop and respond to emerging mobility patterns. Delivering these road programmes
March 8, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The IRF Global Road Benchmarking Survey was launched in Riyadh on December 15th 2015 as part of the 4th IRF Middle East Regional Congress
RSSTransportation decision-makers will soon benefit from a new comparative study on the cost-effectiveness of road programme delivery. This will be thanks to the launch of a global benchmarking initiative by the International Road Federation using a methodology developed by McKinsey & Co.  

Globally, US$1.4 trillion is invested every year on transportation assets — including $700 billion for roads - as the world’s economies develop and respond to emerging mobility patterns. Delivering these road programmes is a task fraught with challenges which too often lead to inefficient use of scarce funds.

In 2013, a landmark report published by McKinsey’s Infrastructure Practice presented stark evidence of the size of the infrastructure gap and the resulting need for governments to rethink how they select, design, deliver and manage infrastructure projects.

Building on the methodology developed in this report, the International Road Federation is announcing a global benchmarking initiative to promote transparency through an objective diagnosis and evaluation of current practices worldwide.

According to Nicklas Garemo, senior partner at McKinsey, "There are large opportunities to improve efficiency in road investments and maintenance across the globe which would give the world more and better roads for the available funds. The first step to improve requires understanding where you stand and how you compare to best practice. This survey creates that understanding and allows countries to be more targeted in their future improvement efforts."

“As the sector’s chief knowledge broker, the 3918 IRF Washington knows that boosting productivity is a key priority for all local and national governments,” said IRF president & CEO C Patrick Sankey. “The survey and resulting recommendations will provide game-changing insights for decision-makers across our industry.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Geneva has a strong partnership with Birmingham University in the UK
    March 28, 2014
    IRF Geneva's longstanding partnership with the University of Birmingham has been expanded to form one of the sector’s most comprehensive professional development programmes IRF Geneva offers a rich palette of educational and professional development opportunities and resources. Programmes range from scholarships for master degree studies to the regular organisation of targeted vocational training workshops. A full listing can be accessed via the ‘training & services’ section of the IRF Geneva website (www.i
  • IRF traffic management training on investing smartly, deploying effectively
    December 19, 2014
    IRF delivers advanced traffic management training in Riyadh For the second in a series of ITS courses specially tailored for the needs of fast-transitioning economies, the IRF assembled a multi-national cast of renowned instructors who delivered five modules focusing on major mobility applications. Held from October 19th–22nd, 2014, the course was attended by over 170 transportation and engineering professionals from a wide array of public agencies, including the municipalities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, t
  • IRF World Congress: Safety through technology
    October 17, 2024
    For too long there has been a focus on physical infrastructure itself when it comes to sustainability. Now we understand the interdependence of infrastructure, government agencies and policies, a nation’s health, access to education and much more. David Arminas reports from Istanbul, Turkiye.
  • IRF Members launch regional committee for Central Asia
    October 23, 2017
    Against a background of unprecedented connectivity investments bridging East and West, the formation of a regional committee will assist member organisations. It will allow them to gain access to a wider pool of knowledge on regional infrastructure programmes, and solutions designed to optimise road investments. Central Asia is a loosely defined geographic area bridging the eastern fringes of Europe to the borders of China. Common factors between these countries include a shared history of relatively recen