In this Issue

This issue has been compiled from a selection of papers from NTRO’s previous International Conference.  As such there is no technical theme, but rather a buffet of topics from which to choose.  As with all good buffets, the variety is broad.

From Denmark’s Greenwood Engineering Helene Pehrsson and her colleagues, we have a description of the use of a Traffic Speed Deflectometer – a key technology incorporated in the NTRO’s iPAVE fleet – to assist in airfield RoI through early treatment of issues.  Also at the ‘prevention is better than cure level’, Dr Hendrik Zurlinden’s paper discusses using road design and operation optimization as a means of curbing the road safety problem that is the bane of our lives.

Continuing the focus on all-important safety, Paul Bennet and Dr Joel Ferguson write about work done in developing technologies to protect human life within rail corridors.  Dr Robert Kochhan writes about work done to investigate the fire safety or otherwise of batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) in enclosed spaces, including implications for infrastructure operations.

Two papers cover more strategic issues. Georgia O’Connor discusses the impacts on transport networks of extreme weather events, and actions to prevent and minimise disruptions. Dr Ronny Kutadinata presents a case study on approaches to handle uncertainties when delivering long-term, large-scale infrastructure projects.

We also present two papers from fast-rising young stars in research.  Dr Chrysoula Pandelidi – who was joint winner of the Research Rising Star Award at the conference Gala Dinner – outlines a means of implementing meaningful amounts of recycled materials in road infrastructure in a safe, sustainable and effective way.  Dr Suthakaran Sivagnanasuntharam and his co-authors describe practical applications of intelligent compaction in asphalt pavements.

At the end of the issue, there is a short article on what is in store at our 2025 Conference – The Transport Revolution: Solutions led by Innovation.