In search of the best strategies to boost Europe's leadership in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) research and innovation in the next decade, the European Commission launched a public consultation. Contributions from industry, ICT experts, policy-makers and the wider public will be fed into a new strategy for ICT research and innovation, to be unveiled next year. The public consultation is open until 7 November 2008 and can be accessed via http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=ICTRDI

The DG Research study Road Infrastructure: The backbone of Transport System" was launched at TRA2008. In this publication, the strategies and objectives from FP5, through FP6 to FP7 are reviewed.  Looking at the projects related to road infrastructure, the report presents the evolution of the importance of the infrastructure themes throughout the programmes.

The report can be downloaded (5,3 Mb) or ordered from the DG Research website

 ECTRI - FEHRL and FERSI are glad to inform you that the next Young Researcher Seminar will be held from June 3-5, 2009 in Torino, Italy.

Please note that the deadline for submitting abstracts and nominating tutors is November 1st, 2008.

Please click for more information about the Seminar and the submission procedure and role of tutors.

The FP7 Coordinated Action Tyrosafe (Tyre and Road Surface Optimisation for Skid resistance and Further Effects) started on July 1st. This 1.16 M€ project will not only focus on the road surface but also on tyres and on the interaction between the road surface and tyres. Tyrosafe will run for two years and has 7 partners (arsenal research, BAST, FEHRL, LCPC, Rijkswaterstaat, TRL and ZAG).

Steve Phillips made a plenary address during the opening session of the 27th Southern African Transport Conference and Exhibition (SATC), which was helt in Johannesburg, South-Africa from July 7th until July 11th, 2008. Steve's speech was entitled "Building Partnerships for Road Transport Research"  and was acclaimed by SA's Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, who was also conference patron.