Rilem, the body organizing the international symposium, which took place from 14th – 16th April in Regensdorf, is an association of research institute and experts founded in 1947. It is devoted to the research and testing of materials and systems, international standardization, and in particular the worldwide networking of the professionals in this field. Its technical committees investigate questions relating to specific areas of intense worldwide interest. The 182-peb Committee focuses on the wear characteristics of bitumen, a field still in the early stages of development. The chairman of the 182-peb Committee is Manfred Partl, the Head of Empa’s internationally renowned "Road Engineering / Sealing Components" Laboratory.

Mobility under the scrutiny of society

Mobility is no longer just a question of technology – it has to make environmental sense, be available at a reasonable price and also be socially acceptable. Olivier Michaud, outgoing director of the Swiss Federal Roads Authority (FEDRO) and President of the World Road Association (PIARC), outlined in his presentation in the introductory session of the symposium the progressive stance being taken by Switzerland. He mentioned the expansion of the two alpine base tunnels and the consequent expected displacement of freight traffic from the roads onto the railway system. He also spoke about the Federal Government’s Road Traffic Safety Policy and its "Vision zero" scheme, which aims to achieve the target of no deaths or serious injuries on Swiss roads.

Other speakers in the opening session of the symposium were Carmen Andrade (President of Rilem), Hermann Fritz (Research/Standardization representative of the Swiss Association of Road and Transportation Experts) and Rolf Guericke (German Association of Bitumen Suppliers).