Invitation from the Chairman of World Road Association TC4.4 !

With the acceleration of global urbanization and the continuous increase in transportation demand, road tunnels, as a key component of transportation networks, have attracted widespread attention from the international community for their safety, efficiency, and sustainability. The World Road Association (PIARC), as an important leader in the development of global tunnel technology, is committed to promoting progress and innovation in the global tunnel industry through organizing international academic conferences and other means.

The PIARC 2025 International Conference on Road Tunnel Technology will be held grandly in Chongqing, China from May 21st to 23rd this year. Mr. Ingo Kaundinya, Chairman of the Tunnel Technical Committee (TC4.4) of the World Road Association, the organizer of this conference, will attend the event with his team members.

Mr. Ingo Kaundinya enjoys a high reputation in the field of global tunnel technology. He holds a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Rostock in Germany and has served as the head of the German Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) in areas such as tunnel and foundation engineering, tunnel operation, and civil safety, accumulating rich practical experience. Currently, Mr. Ingo Kaundinya serves as the head of the Tunnel Department at the German Federal Ministry of Transport Research Institute and the chairman of the PIARC TC4.4 Tunnel Technical Committee. The PIARC 4.4 Tunnel Technical Committee he leads focuses on key areas such as tunnel operation, maintenance, technical equipment (such as ventilation and lighting), safety, sustainability, and resilience, and is committed to sharing global experience, providing valuable resources for the tunnel industry.

In this issue, Chairman Ingo Kaundinya cordially invited China and even the world to pay attention to PIARC's mission and contributions, and to deeply explore the highlights and significance of the PIARC World Road Tunnel Technology International Academic Conference held in Chongqing.

Leading technological leap: PIARC leads global tunnel development

Since its establishment in 1909, the World Road Association (PIARC) has been the best platform for sharing knowledge, policies, and practices in the global road transport and infrastructure fields.

Our goal is to promote the advancement of tunnel technology through international cooperation, especially in low - and middle-income countries, to help them improve their level of tunnel design and operation. "Mr. Kaundinya mentioned that Tunnel Technical Committee 4.4 (TC4.4), as an important component of PIARC, brings together more than 130 tunnel experts from around the world, dedicated to sharing global experience and providing valuable resources for the tunnel industry. With its authoritative position and professional influence in the industry, TC4.4 is gradually becoming an important force in promoting the development of the global road tunnel industry. It will also play an increasingly critical role in technological innovation, standard setting, and international cooperation.

Innovative Green Empowerment: Decoding the Future Password of the Tunnel Industry

As the only conference held by PIARC TC4.4 in Asia in the past three years, Ingo Kaundinya believes that the Chongqing Conference will become a feast in the field of tunnel technology.

The current international urbanization process is accelerating, transportation demand is growing, and global climate change and energy crisis are forcing the tunnel industry to pay more attention to the application of low-carbon and environmental protection technologies. Tunnel engineering is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The theme of this conference is "Tunnel Technology: Leading the Way of the Future - Resilience, Intelligent Technology, Low Carbon and Sustainable Development", which is highly in line with the forefront trend of tunnel technology development in the world today. The conference will establish an international communication platform to promote in-depth exchanges and cooperation among experts from various countries. At the same time, by showcasing and discussing the latest tunnel technology and research achievements, the conference will stimulate more innovative thinking and promote the continuous innovation of tunnel technology. In addition, the conference will also focus on the sustainability and resilience of tunnels, which is of great significance for addressing future transportation challenges and achieving green development in the transportation industry.

China's intelligent manufacturing breakthrough: opening up a new blue ocean for international cooperation

In addition to introducing the technical highlights, Mr. Kaundinya also expressed special thanks to his Chinese colleagues for their support and looked forward to in-depth exchanges with tunnel experts from around the world in Chongqing: "We warmly welcome Chinese tunnel experts to join PIARC and share their experience and insights. Through international cooperation, we can jointly address the challenges in tunnel engineering and promote the sustainable development of the industry.

The Chinese sponsor of the conference is composed of China Merchants Chongqing Transportation Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd., National Engineering Research Center for Highway Tunnels and Tunnel Engineering Branch of China Highway Society. The strong host lineup will provide a solid guarantee for the success of the conference. In addition, China has made remarkable achievements in the field of tunnel engineering in recent years, especially in complex projects such as high-speed rail tunnels and underwater tunnels. The deep participation of the Chinese team will also bring valuable experience to PIARC and global partners, and further promote the development of global tunnel technology.

The grand mountain city event sets sail: jointly painting a new chapter in tunnel technology

Finally, Mr. Ingo Kaundinya, on behalf of the PIARC Tunnel Technology Committee, cordially invites global tunnel experts to Chongqing to attend the PIARC 2025 International Conference on Road Tunnel Technology! Chongqing is a vibrant city that has become an important showcase of China's tunnel technology, thanks to its achievements in tunnel construction under complex terrain, such as the Zengjiayan Bridge Tunnel and the Yanglushan Tunnel. Looking forward to gathering with everyone in Chongqing to explore the cutting-edge trends of tunnel technology, promote the integration of Chinese tunnel technology with the world, and open a new chapter of global cooperation!