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The Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL) has set itself the challenge to develop a truly inspiring vision for how roads will be built and maintained in the 21st century. The result is the Forever Open Road – a revolutionary concept that will bring together the best of what we have today with the best of what’s to come, and produce the fifth generation road.

A road that is adaptable, automated and climate change resilient, based upon a concept for building and maintaining roads that can be applied whether motorway, rural or urban, and regardless of region or country.

By bringing together innovative technologies and concepts, and by harvesting knowledge and expertise from across Europe this new generation road will transform the way roads are built, designed, maintained and operated. It will also bring Europe to the forefront of developing the future of transport. This all-embracing concept will be taken forward by FEHRL with support from European governments, universities and private industry. Many benefits will arise from working together and focusing upon a common vision aimed at meeting European, national and regional goals.

An affordable road for a society that cannot afford the closure of roads: In these times of austerity, many authorities across Europe are facing ever tougher challenges to cope with the need to accommodate increased traffic growth, minimise congestion, maintain services in the face of increasing climate change effects, as well as deliver on environmental and societal objectives. This is the time when innovation for road infrastructure is an absolute imperative, to reduce costs without compromising on quality.

Fifth generation road: a new generation of performance: Perhaps 20,000 years ago, the first generation of road was the track. Some 2,000 years ago, the first stone paved road overcame the problem of impenetrable muddy troughs that occurred in the rain. Some 200 years ago, the smooth tarmac road dramatically improved passenger comfort and reduced damage to vehicles. The fourth generation, 70 years ago, saw the advent of motorways providing seamless travel between commercial and population centres.

Forever Open Road will be the fifth generation of road. Like each of the previous generations, it uses the latest knowledge to provide more reliable, safer and more affordable transport.

The 21st century road: the standard of service required for modern society: Our digital society depends on roads and demands higher standards from them. Citizens require ever greater mobility at the right quality and price. Industry needs a dependable service from a system that is fully integrated with other modes. At the same time, road authorities want to look to the advantages that new technologies and systems can offer to provide more affordable, durable and efficient roads. In this respect, the Forever Open Road will be right for this millennium.