ERF calls for Smarter, Safer Road Work Zones at Bologna Forum

09 October 2025 | Bologna, Italy

On 9 October 2025, Bologna hosted the International Road Safety Forum, a full-day event at Palazzo d’Accursio bringing together European and international leaders to discuss current challenges and future perspectives in traffic safety. Organized with the patronage of the Municipality of Bologna and supported by initiatives or organisations active in the field of road safety such as  the European Road Safety Charter, EFA, UNASCA, CMB, and AIPSS,  the forum welcomed high-level representatives from the European Parliament, the United Nations, national institutions, academia, and industry.

Among the speakers was Christophe Nicodème, Director General of the European Union Road Federation (ERF), who contributed to the morning session “Road Safety Near Roadworks”. Addressing an audience of policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders, Nicodème emphasized the critical importance of improving safety conditions in road work zones — areas where both road users and workers face heightened risks.

In his intervention, Nicodème recalled the ERF’s long-standing commitment to promoting best practices and harmonized guidelines across Europe. He referred to the Federation’s working group on work zone safety, which since 2015 has collected national regulations and practical experiences to identify gaps and propose improvements.

Looking ahead, Nicodème highlighted the transformative potential of digitalisation and connected technologies to create “smart work zones.” By integrating sensors, cameras, AI, and real-time monitoring, roadwork areas can not only improve efficiency and traffic management but also provide instant alerts to vehicles and workers, thereby reducing the risk of collisions and accidents. He also presented the concept of digital twins for roadworks, demonstrating both the safety benefits and the economic and environmental advantages — including significant reductions in CO₂ emissions and operational costs.

“Work zones must evolve in line with technological progress,” Nicodème underlined. “By making them safer, smarter, and more sustainable, we protect lives and build trust in Europe’s road infrastructure.”

The Bologna forum, with interventions from international figures such as Jean Todt (UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety), Antonio Avenoso (European Transport Safety Council), and Luciana Iorio (UNECE), provided a unique platform to foster dialogue between institutions, civil society, and the private sector. Discussions ranged from road safety near construction sites, to the role of the European Road Safety Charter, to the global and future challenges of traffic safety.

The event reaffirmed a shared commitment to saving lives on the road — a commitment central to the ERF’s mission.