Q: What is the history of CEDR?
A: Visit our CEDR History Webpage
Q: What is CEDR?
A: CEDR is the Conference of European Directors of Roads. It brings together the National Road Authorities (NRAs) across Europe to share knowledge, coordinate strategies, and respond to EU transport and climate goals.
Q: Who are CEDR’s members?
A: Members are the national government organisations responsible for managing and developing road networks in European countries.
Q: Why is CEDR important?
A: By aligning practices across Europe, CEDR helps make road networks safer, more sustainable, and more efficient for citizens and businesses.
Q. What are CEDR’s compliance requirements regarding State Aid Rules?
A. Participants shall note that, in accordance with Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, insofar as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the internal market.
Public bodies must therefore avoid any commitments of support — in any form — that cannot be justified as:
the outcome of an open consultation or competition process, and/or
a decision by the European Commission, including one covered under a block exemption regulation.
Q: How does CEDR support strategic decision-making?
A: CEDR provides foresight studies, policy briefings, and a platform for directors to coordinate on EU transport strategies and funding opportunities.
Q: What are CEDR Working Groups (WGs)?
A: CEDR currently has nine WGs covering a wide range of subjects such as the performance of roads, road freight, sustainability, road safety, supply chain, asset management, collaborative planning, digital road management and innovation and research, among others. The WGs may also include specialised expert groups, with support provided through the relevant CEDR Research Calls.
Q: How can I find updated WG names?
A: Visit our Working Groups page.
Q: What is the main objective of this Working Group?
A: To establish a set of consistent and comparable data to monitor trends and identify changes in the performance of European roads.
Q: How can this data be useful to NRAs?
A: It provides a source of information for benchmarking purposes and national performance targets.
Q: What does this Working Group focus on?
A: Important developments related to heavy goods vehicles in relation to freight corridors, constructional safety, and the management of road assets and traffic.
Q: What is the overarching aim?
A: To formulate conclusions and recommendations for European NRAs on the above topics after considering all related ongoing urgencies
Q: What is the main objective of this Working Group?
A: To provide European NRAs with relevant input after analysing sustainability issues and policies with significant implications for road networks.
Q: What topics does the Group cover?
A: Decarbonisation, air quality, biodiversity and biological landscapes, light pollution, noise and archaeology, among others.
Q: What is the goal of this Working Group?
A: To develop and share knowledge among European NRAs and develop coordinated activities on the improvement of safety of road networks.
Q: What is the Group focused on?
A: The promotion of the ‘safety system approach’ and the update of CEDR’s position paper on road safety entitled “Main Road Safety Challenges for European Road Directors in the next 5–10 years – towards the Vision Zero.”
Q: Who participates in this Working Group?
A: Experts on procurement practices and harmonisation and standards.
Q: What is the overarching objective on procurement?
A: To tackle all procurement-related topics relevant for European NRAs to facilitate and optimise the efficient use of existing financial resources.
Q: What do the experts on harmonisation and standards address?
A: The legal framework of harmonised standards within which the operations of European NRAs must be carried out.
Q: Who participates in this Working Group?
A: Experts on network governance – asset management and collaborative planning.
Q: What is the aim of the asset management experts?
A: To raise awareness and develop and share knowledge among European NRAs on challenges and activities in governance and management of road transport networks.
Q: What is the focus of collaborative planning?
A: The interfaces between road infrastructure and urban and spatial planning.
Q: What is the goal of this Working Group?
A: To raise awareness and develop and share knowledge among European NRAs on the implications of digitalisation.
Q: What topics are covered?
A: Connectivity, automation and data on transport policy goals, societal acceptance and human behaviour, physical and digital infrastructure and investment needs, traffic flow and management, business models, regulation, harmonisation and standardisation needs.
Q: What is the aim of this Working Group?
A: To provide advice to European NRAs and share knowledge on research and innovation governance.
Q: What topics does this include?
A: How to go from research to implementation, state aid rules, skills and training, organisation of innovation and research activities in CEDR member countries, etc.
Q: What is the goal of this Working Group?
A: To help European NRAs to keep ahead of the curve, anticipate future regulatory trends and prepare them to face new EU legislative frameworks.
Q: What does the Group focus on?
A: EU legislative pieces, activities and initiatives including EU research projects important to NRAs.
A: This does not mean that there was wrongdoing. In the first case, we suggest that you talk with the CEDR member. It may be that the EU project experience was essential for the national project and the NRA was not aware of your interest/proposal in the EU project. Some NRAs have procedures to evaluate potential EU proposals and ensure that different national interests are supported, but there are no EU rules on this. CEDR is working with its members to develop better alignment between the rules for national procurement and EU programme.
Q: How do NRAs collaborate with CEDR?
A: Through joint projects, workshops, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
Q: Are there EU funding opportunities?
A: Yes, detailed under each project description on our website.
Q: How do I subscribe to CEDR updates?
A: CEDR newsletters are available for members only.
Q: What types of publications does CEDR produce?
A: CEDR produces several types of publications that reflect its strategic and technical work. These include:
Each serves a distinct purpose and follows its own approval process.
Q: What is a CEDR Report?
A: A CEDR Report is a high-level, strategic publication on key topics.
It represents the consensus of the Governing Board (GB) and includes an official CEDR opinion.
Approval: Governing Board (GB)
Disclaimer:
“This document expresses the current position of CEDR. It does not necessarily reflect the views of individual member countries.”
Q: What is a CEDR Technical Report?
A: A CEDR Technical Report is produced by CEDR Working Groups and focuses on technical matters.
It may include guidance manuals, handbooks, or fact sheets.
Approval: Executive Board (EB)
Note: These reports do not express a formal CEDR opinion.
Q: What is a CEDR Contractor Report?
A: A CEDR Contractor Report is authored by external contractors as part of CEDR-funded projects or research.
Approval: Secretary-General (under the Executive Board)
Disclaimer:
“This report was produced under contract to CEDR. Views expressed are not necessarily those of CEDR or its member countries. Copyrighted material may be used for non-commercial purposes with acknowledgment.”
Q: What is a Position Paper?
A: A Position Paper presents a CEDR view on a specific issue without being a full report.
It can range from a brief letter to a short technical or strategic paper.
Approval: Governing Board (GB)
Disclaimer:
“This paper was produced by a CEDR Working Group. It does not necessarily reflect the views of individual member countries.”
If no formal CEDR opinion exists, the document may be published as a Discussion Paper.
Q: What is a Fact Sheet?
A: A Fact Sheet provides a concise summary of key information, guidance, or recommendations on a specific topic.
It is produced by a CEDR Working Group or project team and is intended as a quick reference for members or the public.
Q: Where can I access CEDR publications?
A: All CEDR publications are available on the CEDR website under the Publications section. Each publication type is clearly labelled and includes relevant disclaimers and approval details.
Q: How can we explain CEDR’s impact to the public?
A: CEDR highlights the value of safe, sustainable, and efficient roads by showcasing joint achievements across Europe.
Q: Does CEDR provide communication tools?
A: Yes — CEDR shares public messaging guidelines, media briefs, and case studies that members can adapt.
Q: How does CEDR interact with EU institutions?
A: CEDR provides the collective voice of NRAs on transport files, climate goals, and funding programmes.
Q: Which international bodies does CEDR engage with?
A: CEDR contributes to PiARC, UNECE, and other global platforms to ensure European road authorities’ perspectives are represented.
Q: How do I contact CEDR?
A: Email info@cedr.eu or see our team page
