IRF Global Road Achievement Awards: Showcasing Global Industry Excellence
The International Road Federation’s Global Road Achievement Awards (GRAA) is a one-of-a kind competition to recognize innovative road projects and exemplary people that place the road industry at the forefront of worldwide social and economic development.
Instituted in 2000, the Awards have distinguished more than 120 programs, projects and products from around the world. Today, the Awards are recognized as a prestigious industry accolade in their own right, but they also serve to remind a much wider audience that the mobility everyone takes for granted would not be possible without the talent and commitment of our industry. By showcasing new technologies and creative solutions, they also serve as an accelerator of progress and new ideas.
IRF views the awards as an important way to promote road innovation around the world and will make substantial efforts to see that the awarded achievements receive maximum worldwide publicity, including a presentation of a crystal trophy at the IRF Annual Awards Dinner and recognition in industry publications.
Applications open for 2020 Competition
2020 applications are currently being accepted across the 12 award categories through March 31, 2020. Winners will be recognized at the IRF Global R2T Conference & Exhibition, to be held November 2020 in Las Vegas, USA
Entries are judged by an international panel of expert judges drawn from the IRF’s academic members, as well as independent subject matter specialists. No member of the selection panel may have an interest or bias related to the current applications. If a judge should have such an interest, that judge will be excused from reviewing the applicable entry/entries and an alternate will be appointed.
The selection panel is not obligated to select an award recipient in each of the eleven categories. Rather, the panel will recognize only those submissions that show outstanding merit. The panel also has the discretion to recognize submissions that do not win an award, yet nevertheless, show exceptional merit.
Entries are open to projects that may have been recognized in other award programs, provided that they have not been recognized in a previous IRF Global Road Achievement Award competition.
There is no limit to the number of entries an organization may submit.
Note: Winners will produce a 90- to 120-second HD/UHD (16:9) video highlighting their winning project. The video will be displayed on the IRF website and during the GRAA awards dinner.
Key Dates
• May 8: Application due
• June 17: Winners notified
• July 15: Book of Winning Projects materials due
• September 15: Project video due
• November 12: IRF Awards Ceremony
Award Categories
Asset Preservation & Maintenance Management
Innovative asset preservation solutions combined with effective maintenance management programs are essential pillars of economic, fiduciary and environmental stewardship in the road sector. Public and private sector authorities providing these services to the general public are encouraged to compete in this category which is designed to recognize innovation in the planning and delivery of durable pavements, maintenance functions and advances in safety, energy efficiency, and materials recycling.
Construction Methodology
Competitive entries in this category will demonstrate significant achievements in construction that enhance the quality, timeliness, cost effectiveness, safety, and/or efficiency in the construction means, methods and delivery on road development projects. An award will seek to recognize those entrants who demonstrate effective construction strategies that can be replicated or serve as examples to advance the process of road construction generically. Entrants will base their applications on the success of a concept as demonstrated on a specific project.
Design
This category recognizes organizations that demonstrate outstanding achievements in the broad design arena, including aesthetics, applications in challenging environments, cost efficiency and originality. Qualification for the award will be determined upon the organization's application of a design (or designs) on a specified project.
Environmental Mitigation
This category recognizes public and private organizations that show outstanding progress in protecting and/or enhancing the natural environment in the planning, design and/or construction of road development projects. Entries in this category will be evaluated on successful efforts to incorporate environmental mitigation on a specific project.
Program Management
The growing demand for new and refurbished infrastructure is leading to partnerships between Government and the private sector to manage this work through dedicated program management offices. This category is open to public and private sector organizations that are showing leadership in the provision of integrated services for the management of large transportation infrastructure programs. Of particular interest will be those entries that demonstrate program goals and objectives being met, that show a high degree of complexity and an ability to deal with a variety of issues, and that exemplify the ideals of program and project management.
Project Finance and Economics
This award is open to organizations and/or projects that enable road development to take place from funding sources that are different from traditional government or institutional procurement. Although traditional forms of funding can be part of the mix for entries in this category, priority is given to submissions that demonstrate innovative approaches in this field. An award will be evaluated on demonstrated success in planning, constructing, and/or operating a project or program in a cost effective / profitable manner.
Quality Management
This category will recognize organizations that have developed and implemented a quality management system to maximize stakeholder satisfaction at the lowest overall cost to the organization. Quality management is all activities of the overall management function that determine the quality policy, objectives, and responsibilities, and implement them by means such as quality oversight, quality planning, quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement within the quality system. This award is targeted at organizations that innovatively apply the principles and practices of quality management, and demonstrate superior results for delivering products or services.
Research
This category will recognize specific research initiatives that significantly advance the road development industry. Possible topics include improved materials, innovative use of existing materials and products, advances in technology or new applications for existing technology, and groundbreaking theories in design, construction, or O&M processes. This award is targeted at researchers in public, educational and private institutions for their achievements in developing a specific product, system, measure, etc. that advances roadway development.
Safety
Entries in this category should demonstrate significant contributions to improving road safety by devising concepts, products, processes and/or systems in relation to road infrastructure, road/vehicle interaction or driver behavior. Entries will be evaluated on successful and possibly quantified efforts to reduce road casualty numbers and/or seriousness.
Technology, Equipment & Manufacturing
This category, which recognizes inventors and manufacturers that integrate, develop and market new products and/or equipment that advance the road construction industry, is open to manufacturers of all types of equipment and products. This category seeks products and equipment that enhance quality, improve efficiency, increase safety, enable new design and construction techniques, etc. An acceptable entry will include a specific product or products that demonstrate innovation in at least one of the aforementioned areas.
Traffic Management and Intelligent Transportation Systems
This category recognizes public and private organizations that demonstrate significant achievements in making the most of existing infrastructure to accommodate present and future traffic, by using advanced or original traffic management concepts, organizations and/or systems.
Urban Planning & Mobility
This category recognizes efforts to plan and develop tomorrow’s cities, responding to the twin challenges of enhanced mobility demand and reduced environmental footprint. Winning projects will demonstrate their systemic impact, notably by fostering seamless connections across travel modes and/or through special attention to the needs of non-motorized traffic.
Evaluation Criteria
Awards will be presented to organizations which have submitted applications demonstrating:
- Complexity
- Replication capability
- Cost and efficiency considerations
- Technical value to road development industry
- Contributions to social, economic and sustainability concerns
- Original or innovative use of existing technologies
- Original or innovative application of new technologies
- Development of new technologies, products or equipment
- A successful program, concept, or product on a specific project
- The surpassing of minimum regulatory requirements or industry standards
- Degree to which the project, meets the needs of the public, industry, owner or client
2018 Winners
Asset Preservation & Maintenance Management
RoadBotics
for RoadWay
Innovative asset preservation solutions combined with effective maintenance management programs are essential pillars of economic, fiduciary and environmental stewardship in the road sector. Public and private sector authorities providing these services to the general public are encouraged to compete in this category which is designed to recognize innovation in the planning and delivery of durable pavements, maintenance functions and advances in safety, energy efficiency, and materials recycling.
Construction Methodology
Public Authority for Roads & Transport, Kuwait
for Shaikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Causeway Bridge
Competitive entries in this category will demonstrate significant achievements in construction that enhance the quality, timeliness, cost effectiveness, safety, and/or efficiency in the construction means, methods and delivery on road development projects. An award will seek to recognize those entrants who demonstrate effective construction strategies that can be replicated or serve as examples to advance the process of road construction generically. Entrants will base their applications on the success of a concept as demonstrated on a specific project.
Design
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Republic of Turkey
for Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
This category recognizes organizations that demonstrate outstanding achievements in the broad design arena, including aesthetics, applications in challenging environments, cost efficiency and originality. Qualification for the award will be determined upon the organization's application of a design (or designs) on a specified project.
Environmental Mitigation
Sinotech Engineering Consultants, LTD. & Directorate General of Highways, MOTC, Taiwan
for West Coast Expressway: Ba-Dong-Liao to Jiu-Kuai-Chou Project
This category recognizes public and private organizations that show outstanding progress in protecting and/or enhancing the natural environment in the planning, design and/or construction of road development projects. Entries in this category will be evaluated on successful efforts to incorporate environmental mitigation on a specific project.
Program Management
Georgia Department of Transportation
for the Northwest Corridor
The growing demand for new and refurbished infrastructure is leading to partnerships between Government and the private sector to manage this work through dedicated program management offices. This category is open to public and private sector organizations that are showing leadership in the provision of integrated services for the management of large transportation infrastructure programs. Of particular interest will be those entries that demonstrate program goals and objectives being met, that show a high degree of complexity and an ability to deal with a variety of issues, and that exemplify the ideals of program and project management.
Project Finance and Economics
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Republic of Turkey
for Eurasia Tunnel
This award is open to organizations and/or projects that enable road development to take place from funding sources that are different from traditional government or institutional procurement. Although traditional forms of funding can be part of the mix for entries in this category, priority is given to submissions that demonstrate innovative approaches in this field. An award will be evaluated on demonstrated success in planning, constructing, and/or operating a project or program in a cost effective / profitable manner.
Quality Management
CMS Works Sdn. Bhd
for the Long-term Management and Maintenance of State Roads in Sarawak
This category will recognize organizations that have developed and implemented a quality management system to maximize stakeholder satisfaction at the lowest overall cost to the organization. Quality management is all activities of the overall management function that determine the quality policy, objectives, and responsibilities, and implement them by means such as quality oversight, quality planning, quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement within the quality system. This award is targeted at organizations that innovatively apply the principles and practices of quality management, and demonstrate superior results for delivering products or services.
Research
Consulpav, Conbloc Infratecno, Marga Lingkar Jakarta
for Indonesia JORR W2 Toll Road
This category will recognize specific research initiatives that significantly advance the road development industry. Possible topics include improved materials, innovative use of existing materials and products, advances in technology or new applications for existing technology, and groundbreaking theories in design, construction, or O&M processes. This award is targeted at researchers in public, educational and private institutions for their achievements in developing a specific product, system, measure, etc. that advances roadway development.
Safety
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai, UAE
for the Traffic Accident Blackspot System Analysis Project
Entries in this category should demonstrate significant contributions to improving road safety by devising concepts, products, processes and/or systems in relation to road infrastructure, road/vehicle interaction or driver behavior. Entries will be evaluated on successful and possibly quantified efforts to reduce road casualty numbers and/or seriousness.
Technology, Equipment & Manufacturing
EROAD
for the Ehubo2
This category, which recognizes inventors and manufacturers that integrate, develop and market new products and/or equipment that advance the road construction industry, is open to manufacturers of all types of equipment and products. This category seeks products and equipment that enhance quality, improve efficiency, increase safety, enable new design and construction techniques, etc. An acceptable entry will include a specific product or products that demonstrate innovation in at least one of the aforementioned areas.
Traffic Management and Intelligent Transportation Systems
Parsons.
for GDOT Reversible Express Lanes Intelligent Transportation System & Traffic Information Management
This category recognizes public and private organizations that demonstrate significant achievements in making the most of existing infrastructure to accommodate present and future traffic, by using advanced or original traffic management concepts, organizations and/or systems.
Urban Planning & Mobility
City of Torino
for the Torino Smart Road
This category recognizes efforts to plan and develop tomorrow’s cities, responding to the twin challenges of enhanced mobility demand and reduced environmental footprint. Winning projects will demonstrate their systemic impact, notably by fostering seamless connections across travel modes and/or through special attention to the needs of non-motorized traffic.
Previous Winners
2016 Winners
Asset Preservation & Maintenance Management
Roads & Transport Authority – Traffic & Roads Agency; Dubai, UAE
for their Asset Preservation & Maintenance Management program
Construction Methodology
Jambatan Kedua Sdn. Bhd.
for The Second Penang Bridge
Design
Zhejiang Jiashao Bridge Investment & Development Co., Ltd
for the Jiashao Bridge Project
Environmental Mitigation
Bechtel Enka General Partnership
for the Kosovo Route 6 Motorway Project
Program Management
Romanian National Company of Motorways and National Roads | Louis Berger
for the Timisoara-Lugoj Motorway
Project Finance & Economics
Road Infrastructure Development Company of Rajasthan Ltd. (RIDCOR)
for The Rajasthan Mega Highways Project
Quality Management
Roads & Transport Authority – Traffic & Roads Agency; Dubai, UAE
for the Ras Al Khor Crossing (R 800)
Research
Worcester Polytechnic University, RAP Technologies, EMPA, Latvian State Roads
for 100% Recycled Hot-Mix Asphalt
Safety
Volvo Group Latin America - BRAZIL
for the Volvo Traffic Safety Program (VTSP)
Technology, Equipment & Manufacturing
Lindsay Transportation Solutions
for the Golden Gate Bridge Moveable Median Barrier
Traffic Management & ITS
Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection Co., Ltd.
for FETC Innovation from Highway Toll to ITS Taiwan Smart City
Urban Planning & Mobility
Sunway Construction Sdn. Bhd.
for the Bus Rapid Transit - Sunway Line
2015 Winners
Design
CECI
for the National Freeway No. 1 Widening Project from Wugu to Yangmei
Environmental Mitigation
MetaMeta, Mekelle University, and Government of Tigray
for Optimizing Road Development for Groundwater Recharge and Retention in Tigray, Ethiopia
Program Management
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Indonesia
for the Eastern Indonesia National Road Improvement Project (EINRIP)
Project Finance & Economics
Indiana Finance Authority, Indiana Department of Transportation, and Parsons
for The LSIORB East End Crossing
Quality Management
Attikes Diadromes S.A.
for the THALES Tollway Quality Management System
Research
Shell Bitumen
for the Development of Shell Bitufresh to Reduce Odour of Asphalt
Safety
City of Bucaramanga and CDM Smith
for Advancing Road Safety in Latin America through the Implementation of Low-Cost, Short-term Measures Safety Program
Technology, Equipment & Manufacturing
Saudi Binladin Group
for the Automated People Mover (APM) for Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University for Women, Riyadh, KSA
Traffic Management & ITS
SkyToll, a.s.
for the Extension of the Electronic Toll Collection System in Slovakia
Urban Planning & Mobility
IL&FS Transportation Networks Limited and Kerala Road Fund Board
for the Thiruvananthapuram City Roads Improvement Project
2014 Winners
Construction Methodology
Abu Dhabi Municipality and Parsons
Sheikh Zayed Street Tunnel
Design
T.Y. Lin International/Moffatt & Nichol, Joint Venture
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge New East Span
Environmental Mitigation
Transcity Joint Venture
Legacy Way
Program Management
Hubei Changjiang Road & Bridge Co., Ltd.
Ma-Wu Highway Construction Project
Project Finance
Washington, D.C. District Department of Transportation
11th Street Bridge Project
Quality Management
Delcan, a Parsons Company
Columbus Crossroads
Safety
Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai)
Children Road Safety is a Shared Responsibility
Technology, Equipment & Manufacturing
Roadroid
Smartphone IRI Data Collection
Traffic Management & ITS
Xerox
Xerox Merge Dynamic Parking Pricing
More Information
Magid Elabyad
Vice President
International Programs & Member Services
+1 703 535 1001
International Road Federation
Madison Place
500 Montgomery Street
Fifth Floor
Alexandria, VA 22314
USA