Why Road Maintenance Matters

The imperative to reduce CO2 emissions remains central to global and European policy. With Europe striving for a 55% reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050, the transport sector—one of the largest CO2 emitters—plays a crucial role in achieving these targets. Given that over 90% of European roads are surfaced with asphalt, the industry has significant potential to contribute to emissions reduction.

Proper maintenance leads to smoother surfaces, cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 5%. This equates to annual savings of 14 million tonnes of CO2—comparable to removing 3 million cars from the roads. Additionally, well-maintained roads support electric vehicles, reduce traffic noise, enhance travel time, and lower vehicle maintenance costs. Asphalt pavements are easy to maintain and align with circular economy principles e.g. with their 100% re-usability. Thus, road maintenance is key to sustainability. However, budget restrictions remain obstacles.

That’s why we’re bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts for the online event by European Road Maintenance Forum (ERMF) on April 3rd, 2025. Join the discussions!

The speakers

Camino Arce Blanco

Camino Arce Blanco is Technical and Business Development Director at SEITT, Spain’s largest state-owned motorway operator. She has held senior roles in the Ministry of Transport and serves on key public infrastructure boards. She holds civil engineering degrees from Madrid and Paris and has managed major national infrastructure projects.

Thomas Fabian

Thomas Fabian (Chief Commercial Vehicles Officer) joined the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) in November 2018. Representing Europe’s truck and bus manufacturers, he focuses on decarbonising heavy-duty transport and shaping regulations to support the industry’s competitiveness on its path toward climate neutrality. A transport engineering graduate, he has worked on international transport policy since 2000.

Christophe Nicodème

Director General European Union Road Federation (ERF)
Further to a long international experience in road safety equipment, Christophe has been appointed Director General of the ERF, a non-profit organisation representing the European Road Infrastructure sector, acting as a platform of dialogue and research for road mobility, road safety, road asset management and sustainable and smart mobility.

Dr. Juan José Potti

Dr. Juan José Potti, Executive President of Asefma, Former President of EAPA, Founder of the IRMD (International Road Maintenance Day) and President Working Group Asphalt 4.0 of EAPA, he defines himself as a “Knowmad” (Knowledge Nomad) because it has never been so necessary to apply Darwin’s famous phrase: “it is not the fastest or strongest species that survives, but the one that best adapts to the environment”.

Malcolm Simms

MPA Asphalt (EAPA UK Member) and AIA (Asphalt Industry Alliance)
Director (of both MPA Asphalt and AIA)
Graduated as a Civil Engineer, worked for contractors in early career. Moved into materials in laboratories of aggregate and asphalt producers.
Joined as Asphalt Engineer with then QPA (Quarry Products Association) in 2000 and progressed to Director of MPA Asphalt in 2011. Represents MPA and UK on numerous EAPA, BSI and CEN Standards Committees.

Steve Philips

Steve is the Secretary-General of the Conference of European Directors of Roads. Based in Brussels, CEDR supports cooperation between the national road authorities of Europe and with third parties. In his 35 years in road transport, he has addressed many different aspects of road freight transport including infrastructure and ITS, road safety and environmental issues.