HERCEG NOVI – To enhance the implementation and sustainability of road infrastructure projects across the Western Balkans, the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community organises a two-day training in Herceg Novic, Montenegro, on 15-16 April 2025, focusing on road maintenance and the use of modern software solutions. The training gathered representatives of road authorities from all Western Balkans regional partners.
Recognising that road projects are complex and resource-intensive infrastructure undertakings, the training aims to improve institutional capacities by introducing participants to advanced software tools used in planning, monitoring, and maintenance. From strategic to project-level planning, the training provides a comprehensive overview of how digital solutions can support more sustainable financing models and enhance road safety outcomes.
Opening the training, the Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community, Mr Matej Zakonjšek, underlined that these are not just software applications – they are essential instruments for road asset management and investment planning.
“Using these software solutions would allow your management to make data-driven, cost-effective decisions for the maintenance and development of your road networks,” he pointed out and added that this training has been designed to support the authorities in setting up their Road Asset Management Systems and aligns directly with the goals of the Road Action Plan.
Participants will have a chance to explore existing gaps between EU and regional institutional frameworks and discuss the importance of long-term planning supported by modern software tools such as Highway Development and Management Model (HDM-4) and Road Network Evaluation Tools (RONET). These tools offer data-driven insights for effective asset management and investment planning, aligning closely with the objectives of the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
The event will also serve as a platform for sharing experiences, lessons learned, and challenges in road project implementation, while underlining the necessity for improved interdepartmental cooperation within public administrations.
This training builds on a road maintenance training held in November 2023 and is part of the Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community’s activities to promote the adoption of EU standards in road transport, and to ensure that infrastructure projects are more resilient, efficient, and sustainable.
