WRA 2009 Congress
WRA(UK) Congress 2009:
It's a Risk Business - WRA UK Conference
Held on 5 November 2009
Copthorne Hotel, Birmingham
In these changing times how do we deliver a consistent service to the travelling public?
Financial meltdown, climate change, regular flooding and heavy snow. These are all recent problems that have affected operational and reputational risk. Managers of our highways have to reassess their thinking on how they manage their networks more effectively including the change of emphasis on the use of road space, whilst still maintaining a safe and reliable service for the travelling public. Are we in a riskier business?
These challenges are not unique to the UK and speakers from the USA, the Netherlands and World Roads Association Technical Committees provided international perspectives at the event.
This was a rare opportunity to hear, first hand, at a single venue from the most senior representatives in each of the 4 organisations responsible for running the UK's strategic road network.
Delgates experienced a first class programme which benefited all those who play a role in maintaining, developing and operating highway networks.
These included:
Graham Dalton, Chief Executive of Highways Agency
Geoff Allister, Chief Executive Roads Service Northern Ireland
Simon Shouler, Director of Network Management Division, Welsh Assembly Government
Jim Barton Director of Trunk Road Network Management, Transport Scotland
Presentations
Session 1 - Operational Risk
Welcome & Introduction (Steve Lee, WRA-UK Chair)
A look at the key issues that focus the minds of a network operator (Graham Dalton, CE, Highways Agency)
Snow and Ice - Lessons from the severe weather February 2009 (Alan Taggart, Project Director, Winter Service Review)
Tunnels and the different risks to consider - The M25 Holmesdale Tunnel Refurbishment (John Celantano, Mouchel Consulting Ltd & Eamonn Colgan, Highways Agency)
Session 2 - User Risk
Safety is often seen as the key user risk, but is it, and what else puts the user at risk? (Jim Barton, Chief Road Engineer, Transport Scotland)
How will we lower risk though socio-technical adaptation? (Prof. Neville A. Stanton, Transportation Research Group, University of Southampton)
Infastructure Approaches for Changing Driver Responses (Elizabeth Alicandri, Director, Office of Safety Programs, US Department of Transportation, FHA & member of WRA Committee TC C.1
Session 3 - Financial Risk
Chairman's Introduction (Jim Barton, WRA-UK First delegate)
An overview of the issues facing the overseeing organisations funding the management of a road network (Geoff Allister, CE Roads Service NI)
PFI Roads: Where to from Here? (Robert Bain, Traffic & Transportation) - note presentation unavailable
How has the market changed post 2009 financial meltdown and how will the industry react? (David Bowler, Vinci PLC)
Session 4 - Environmental Risk
Environmental issues are on all agendas but what does it mean for network operators? (Simon Shouler, Director of Network Management Division, Welsh Assembly Government)
Understanding Environmental Risk (Simon Price, Director for Sustainability, Gifford & Chair of WRA committee TC A.1)
International Perspective (Paul Fortuin, Rijkswaterstaat DVS/IN)
Delegate Feedback from WRA(UK) Congress 2009:
"Short presentations, current topics, speakers with kudos, breaks to interact with others"
"Range of topics covered"
"Practical yet diverse set of papers and speakers"
"Organisation of conference was seamless and cordial"
"Range and high quality of speakers"
"Hearing 'across border' views – the high level & quality of the speakers"
"Some very good presenters indeed"
"Great job of brining learning to all"
"Variety of presentations related to risk"
"High standard of speakers and speeches"
"Good communication, and identify direction of Authorities"
"Benchmark UK highways peformance and understand client needs and innovation"
"High level participation"
"Overall excellent strategic level papers. Stimulating and well presented. Good informal networking"
"Excellent breadth and calibre of speakers"
"Well organised"
"Well constructed conference covering a wide range of very pertinent topics in todays environment"
"Very well structured and excellent speakers and audience"
"Excellent conference presenters and attendees in terms of industry profile"
"The breadth and experience of the speakers was excellent. The delegates were from a wide spectrum of the industry"