Innovative Road Safety and Noise Barrier Solutions highlighted at Intertraffic Amsterdam 2024

Brussels | 22 April 2024

Following the success of the ERF-ENBF tour during the previous edition (2022) of Intertraffic Amsterdam, this year the two sister associations replicated their dynamic “tour” of presentations across various member stands at Intertraffic Amsterdam 2024. The presentations focused on the latest trends and innovations in road safety and noise barriers.

The tour took place over the central two days of the exhibition (17 and 18 April), featuring six experts and it was moderated by ERF Director General Christophe Nicodème:

• Ottavia Calamani (AISICO), the current chair of the ERF Working Group on Road Restraint Systems, provided an overview of current and future trends in safety barriers, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of road safety infrastructure.
• Konstantinos Andreopolous from the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR) provided the perspective of national road administration, highlighting the importance of collaboration in advancing road safety initiatives.
• Joseph Marra (GDTech) shared insights on finite element simulation for evaluating the effectiveness of rockfall protection safety barriers along motorways, offering a technical perspective and showcasing innovative approaches to enhance safety measures.
• Gianni Brero, representing UNICMI, kicked off the second day of the tour with a presentation emphasizing the importance of safety barriers functioning effectively on-site.
• Carsten Aagerup from Pass+Co shared insights on cutting-edge innovations in steel foundations, presenting groundbreaking solutions for infrastructure and noise barriers.
• Gianni Brero, in his capacity as an ENBF representative, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the environmental sustainability assessment for noise barriers.
• Concluding the tour on an impactful note, Nigel Bullock (Hill & Smith Infrastructure) shared invaluable insights on carbon reduction through early engagement in Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS) design, highlighting the importance of proactive measures in mitigating environmental impact.

Participants were able to listen to the presentations through an audio system provided to avoid disturbances from the exhibition noise. The tour generated significant interest and facilitated the exchange of knowledge, providing an excellent opportunity for professional networking. This success suggests a likely replication of the tour at Intertraffic 2026.

Please find hereunder the presentations: