The 28th International Baltic Road Conference.
Cygas, Donatas ; Zilioniene, Daiva
The 28th International Baltic Road Conference was held in Vilnius,
Lithuania on 26-28 August 2013. The Conference motto was "Roads for
Society", i.e. the main attention was paid to the road user, his
safety and comfort, and to the roads that shall be built and maintained
in a way to satisfy the demands of mobile and environmental-friendly
society.
The 28th International Baltic Road Conference continues nice
conference traditions since 1932. This Conference hosted more than 500
participants representing 21 countries and 4 continents of the world.
3400 people altogether visited LitExpo over these three days.
The topics of Conference presentations included road building,
repair, maintenance, design, management, traffic safety, Intelligent
Transport Systems, etc.
During the "Strategic Road and Transport Planning"
session 9 presentations were given on the experience of road management
and planning practices from Lithuania and Bulgaria with regard to World
Bank initiatives, major development investments in the national road
network in the Republic of Slovenia by 2030, successfully implemented
Latvian and Estonian cross-border projects within a framework of
INTERREG, perspectives of the Via Baltica International Transport
Corridor development. The analysis of one of the most complex
interchanges in Lithuania (Jakai grade-separated junction in Klaipeda)
was presented based of the use of micro-simulation software PTV VISSIM.
It was mentioned that in order to achieve sustainability in road
construction there should be a joint effort between the clients,
consultants and contractors, i.e. industry. Such joint effort will be
required to satisfy the common sense principles that need to be applied.
Attention should be given to the planning of long-term road construction
costs--it is necessary to evaluate expected changes in the price of
bitumen. Swedish Transport Administration and natural hazards in Iceland
were also presented in this session.
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The "Road Financing" session with 4 presentations covered
road network needs, modelling and suggestions for Estonia, Lithuania and
Finland.
The focal attention was given to the session "Road
Pavement"--24 presentations. The session had four main
topics--concrete roads, possibilities to use waste products in road
construction, usage of geosynthetics in pavement structures and asphalt
mixes and their technologies. One of the sessions was intended namely
for the use of geosynthetics in earthworks and structures. The main
conclusion of this session--geosynthetics of all types is efficient,
however, some types are more efficient. Also, the whole session was
dedicated to asphalt mixtures, their production and laying technologies.
The main ideas of the presentations were: aging and hardening process of
polymer-modified bitumens is significantly slower, therefore, this type
of bitumen is more durable; based on the current researches and by
continuing them further there is an increasing probability to use the
slag of steel industry in asphalt production; the use of oscillating
rollers in pothole repair ensures a highly better quality of works; soft
asphalt pavements under the constrained financial situation is economic
and durable alternative to conventional pavement structures.
In the session "Routine Maintenance" 7 presentations were
made on Performance Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC), routine road
maintenance in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and other countries.
The experience on winter maintenance in Lithuania and Latvia was
shared in the session "Winter Maintenance". The Strategic Plan
2012-2015 of the PIARC Technical Committee 2.4 Winter Service was
presented also. In this session 5 presentations were given.
There were 13 presentations in the "Road Safety" session.
The experience was shared in the field of road traffic safety in the
Baltic Countries (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia), as well as Germany,
Spain, Italy, Check Republic, Poland, Finland and Norway.
A topical presentation about the effect of rumblestrips on the
prevention of vehicle off-going was made by the Norwegian
representative. He presented a comprehensive research report on the
effect of various types of rumblestrips on vehicle off-going, described
a technological process of the installation of rumblestrips in an
automated uninterrupted manner. However, installation of rumblestrips
requires special autonomous equipment (a possibly high cost of
equipment). Research results on the effect of rumblestrips on road
safety can be used in Lithuania when applying this type of safety
measures on Lithuanian roads. Belgium presented a new methodology for
the determination of "white roads" in the European Union.
Currently, Lithuania has not been using this methodology, however it
should be mentioned that with the continuously reducing number of black
spots on Lithuanian roads the use of this methodology for rating roads
is getting more and more relevant. Representative of the company ViaCon
presented barrier systems of a new generation. The endings of barriers
of a new type and high interest were described which absorb energy
during the collision of vehicle with the guard rail. The use of these
elements is relatively inexpensive, therefore, it is quite relevant
under Lithuanian conditions.
Germany presented a new visual system of collecting, storing and
presenting statistical data on road accidents related to different
factors (traffic volume, vehicle speeds, etc.). This system allows a
visual presentation of road accidents related to different factors and
is based on a principle of maps. An automatic system of statistical
accident data, that is currently under preparation in Lithuania (planned
to be prepared in 2014), will make it possible to use these principles.
The BALTRIS project was presented which joined partners from the
Lithuanian and Estonian Road Administrations, Swedish Transport
Administration, Vilnius Gediminas Technical and Riga Technical
Universities, Tallinn University of Technology and Lund University.
In the session "Intelligent Transport Systems" 11
presentations were given from Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, United
Kingdom and Poland. It discussed the problems caused by overloaded
vehicles, the best practices in automatic vehicle identification, also
the present situation was described, development plans and scientific
research results in the field of Intelligent Transport Systems. Much
attention was paid to the development of state public transport
register, road data management, traffic monitoring, weigh-in-motion and
Intelligent Transport Systems.
A special attention was given to traffic information systems, their
architecture, the formats of data presentation to the third parties,
development plans. Traffic information systems under the supervision of
Lithuanian and Estonian Road Administrations were introduced. Besides
certain differences, it should be stated, that the development tendency
of both systems are similar: integration of traffic data collected by
all institutions into one database and stimulation to use them. The main
focus was scientific researches of the impact of overloaded vehicles on
road pavement and assurance of damage control. These topics were
discussed by the representatives of Vilnius Gediminas Technical
University Road Research Institute and Road and Bridge Research
Institute of Poland. The Polish speakers informed that at present they
were planning to implement on Polish roads the fully-automatized control
posts of overloading violations. The very relevant to Lithuania
presentations were made by the speaker from the Estonian Road
Administration (Estonian Road Administration's Experience in
Developing State Public Transport Register and the Opportunities for
Private Sector Involvement) and the speaker from the Finnish
Transportation Agency (Development of the National Street and Road
Database--Digiroad). This experience will be used for creating a
multi-functional violation control and traffic monitoring system,
Information System of the Data of Public Transport Journeys VINTRA and
developing the State Road Information System LAKIS in Lithuania.
The "Bridges" session (11 presentations) was focused on
the bridge investigation, design, strengthening, durability, maintenance
and innovations. Integral bridges are the bridge construction novelty, a
new design and construction technology. The Finnish Transport Agency
presented its experience in implementing bridge Eurocodes in Finland and
peculiarities of creating national annexes. This experience could be
used in implementing Eurocodes in other European countries. Also, an
especially important for international relations and reducing
environmental pollution project of two countries--the Republic of
Lithuania and Russian Federation "Construction of Panemune By-pass
with a Bridge over Neman River" was presented. This is the first
common project financed by the Governments of both countries and
European Union. Another interesting topic was construction of timber
bridges in Northern Europe. Though timber is not a life-lasting material
it is considerably cheaper, and today new timber preparation
technologies are found. Construction of pedestrian bridge in Latvia was
presented. The bridge has original structure--it is an exclusive work of
architects to create harmony between the bridge and environment. Unique
bridge investigations were presented by Japan specialist, i.e. the
effect of climate change on bridge structures and durability. The study
was carried out based on data from the whole world. A technology of
foamed glass was presented used to construct bridge embankments from
foamed glass (a secondary glass recycling material). This material is
distinguished for its good compaction, lightweight, low deformations and
stress distribution. The activities of the PIARC Technical Committee D.3
Road Bridges in 2008-2011 were also presented.
The attention to the sustainable road network development was given
in the "Environment" session during 6 presentations on
different topics. Colleagues from Estonia shared their experience in
introducing new road construction or reconstruction project to the
public which is not satisfied with project solutions. Information was
shared on how to overpersuade public which is against the project in a
way the road project were acceptable to both sides. The speaker from
Lithuania explained the importance of sustainable road network
development and environmental protection. She reviewed the main
documents of Lithuania and European Union which regulate sustainable
road network development, gave three essential principles of
sustainability and described five tasks of sustainable development.
Though Lithuania will never face the same problems like Scotland, it was
very interesting to know how the Scottish specialists fight against the
rainfall-induced landslides in the mountains. They know how and are able
to predict where and when the landslide event can happen. The speaker
told what measures are used to protect the drivers from getting into the
landslide. Two speakers from Finland presented measures and materials to
stabilize weak soils without making a negative impact on the
environment. Representative from the State Service of Protected Areas
under the Ministry of Environment of Lithuania explained what roads are
allowed to be built and are built in the protected areas of Lithuania.
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9 presentations during the "Scientific Research and EU
Research Projects" session covered researches in the Baltic, Nordic
and other European countries and research projects between EU countries.
In the session "Human Resources and Competences" 2
presentations were given. Experience of the Lithuanian company
Kelprojektas shows that technology innovations crossing the limits of a
single activity or sector may create a synergy effect, optimise the
whole service delivery process and ensure a higher quality product, what
is a universal aspiration of competitive business. Estonia when
implementing model-based design over 2D design in infrastructure
projects provides insight for creating and managing projects faster,
more economically and with less environmental impact.
In the "Communication and Public Relations" session there
were 4 presentations describing communication between the Baltic region
countries.
Scientific Committee of the Conference has agreed that the main
trends in the development of roads in the Baltic countries, that were
presented during Plenary Session and discussed in Conference
presentations, were Intelligent Transport Systems and Road Safety,
Innovative Technologies for Road Pavements and Constructions,
Cost-Effective Property Management and Implementation of Electronic Road
Tolling Measures. A pledge of cooperation between the road specialists
of three Baltic countries is the route Via Baltica crossing all these
three countries.
During the 27th International Baltic Road Conference held in Riga
in 2009, 90 presentations were made by the speakers from 15 countries.
This means that the interest in the Baltic Road Conference has been
constantly increasing and geography of participants has been expanding.
The Conference deals with the issues and problems topical not only for
the road specialists of the Baltic countries, but also for the
specialists of many other countries.
Scientific Committee, established by the organizers of the
Conference, made it possible to select presentations, corresponding to
the Conference topics, and to assess their quality. We are very grateful
to the Organizing Committee for the given possibility to publish
presentations in Conference Proceedings (in CD). Scientific Committee of
this Conference are seeking for enclosing Conference Proceedings in the
world-widely acknowledged scientific databases.
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Another very important part of the Conference was a traditional
exhibition with a wide range of well-known and breaking-through
companies with a variety of equipment for road and transport purpose. 97
companies (from 14 countries) came to the Exhibition to present their
achievements and new technologies. Even 500 people worked at the
exhibition stands. Constructive cooperation between participants and
visitors of the Exhibition will give results in applying new up-to-date
technologies on roads.
Using this opportunity we would like to give our special thanks to
the Baltic Road Association for its financial support to the publishing
of the Journal. Also, we invite the authors to restructure their
presentations in accordance with the Baltic Journal of Road and Bridge
Engineering requirements and to send them to the Journal's
Editorial Board to become the worldwide acknowledged scientific
articles.
Caption: During the plenary session
Caption: Moments of the Exhibition opening
We would like to thank the organizers of the Conference for
wonderful Conference and Exhibition, to thank the authors for their
interesting presentations, and the members of the Scientific Committee
for their sincere work. For the colleagues from Estonia we wish good
luck and to be active in the preparation of the next 29th International
Baltic Road Conference in August, 2017.
Prof Dr Donatas Cygas
The Chairman of the 28th International Baltic Road Conference
Scientific Committee, the Editor-in-Chief of the Baltic Journal of Road
and Bridge Engineering
Prof Dr Daiva Zilioniene
The member of the 28th International Baltic Road Conference
Scientific Committee, the Managing Editor of the Baltic Journal of Road
and Bridge Engineering
Table. Conference summary data
Country Conference Topics
Strategic Road Road Routine
Road and Financing Pavement Maintenance
Transport
Planning
Australia 1 2
Austria
Belgium
Canada 1
Czech Republic
Estonia 1 4 1
Finland 1 2
France 1
Germany 2
Iceland 1
Japan
Latvia 2 4 1
Lithuania 3 2 4 1
Norway 1
Poland 1
Slovenia 1
Spain
Sweden 1 1
Turkey 1
United Kingdom 3
United States 1
of America
Total (21) 9 4 24 7
Country Conference Topics
Winter Road Intelligent
Maintenance Safety Transport
Systems
Australia
Austria
Belgium 1
Canada
Czech Republic 1
Estonia 3
Finland 3 1
France 1
Germany 1
Iceland
Japan
Latvia 1
Lithuania 3 6 4
Norway 1
Poland 2
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom 1
United States
of America
Total (21) 5 13 11
Country Conference Topics
Bridges Environment Scientific
Research
and EU
Research
Projects
Australia
Austria 1
Belgium 3
Canada
Czech Republic
Estonia 2 1 1
Finland 2 2 1
France
Germany
Iceland
Japan 1
Latvia 3
Lithuania 3 2 1
Norway
Poland 1
Slovenia
Spain 1
Sweden
Turkey
United Kingdom 1
United States
of America
Total (21) 11 6 9
Country Conference Topics
Human Communication Total
Resources and and Public
Competencies Relations
Australia 3
Austria 1
Belgium 4
Canada 1
Czech Republic 1
Estonia 1 1 15
Finland 12
France 2
Germany 3
Iceland 1 2
Japan 1
Latvia 2 13
Lithuania 1 30
Norway 2
Poland 4
Slovenia 1
Spain 1
Sweden 2
Turkey 1
United Kingdom 5
United States 1
of America
Total (21) 2 4 105
