{{Short description|International forum for the discussion of roads}} <!-- {{refimprove|date=July 2025}} --> {{Infobox organization | name = World Road Association | bgcolor = <!-- header background color --> | fgcolor = <!-- header text color --> | image = PIARC_logo_2019.png | image_border = | image_size = 300px | image_alt = PIARC (World Road Association) logo | caption = PIARC logo | predecessor = | successor = | formation = 1909 | type = <!-- GO, NGO, IGO, INGO, etc --> | status = <!-- ad hoc, treaty, foundation, etc --> | purpose = Discussion of roads and road networks | headquarters = Paris, France | location = | region_served = | num_members = 122 member countries | language = English, French, Spanish | key_people = | website = {{URL|http://www.piarc.org}} | former_name = Association Internationale Permanente des Congrès de la route (AIPCR) <br /> Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC) <br /> World Road Association (WRA) }}
'''PIARC''' (World Road Association) is an international forum for the discussion of all aspects of roads and road networks.
== Overview == Though established principally for professionals in its 122 member countries round the world, it also provides an overview of the policies and trends that affect all road users. The Association was founded in 1909,<ref name=WRA1>{{cite web|url=https://www.piarc.org/en/|title=The World Road Association-PIARC |quote=The World Road Association-PIARC was established in 1909. It brings together the road administrations of 121 governments and has members -individuals, companies, authorities and organizations- in over 140 countries}}</ref> following the first international road congress held in Paris when it was the called the '''Association Internationale Permanente des Congrès de la Route''' (AIPCR), or in English, the '''Permanent International Association of Road Congresses''' (PIARC). In 2019, it formally adopted the name '''PIARC'''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PIARC unveils its new identity|url=https://www.piarc.org/en/News-Agenda-PIARC/News/2019-11-13,PIARC-unveils-its-new-identity-2019.htm|access-date=2021-06-30|website=www.piarc.org|language=en}}</ref>
Its head office is located in Paris where its origins began in 1908.
==Terminology==
In 1931, the first edition of the "Road Dictionary" was published in six languages (Danish, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish). The World Road Association has continued working on terminology ever since. In 2007, the eighth edition was released in five languages (English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish).
==See also== * Regional associations of road authorities
== External links == * {{Official website|https://www.piarc.org/}} * {{cite web|url=https://international.fhwa.dot.gov/wra/|title=World Road Association (WRA)|publisher=Federal Highway Administration - Office of International Programs}}
==Literature == * {{cite book|publisher=World Road Association Technical Committee on Road Network Operations |date=2012 |title= Strategies for Road Network Operations. Report 2012R26 World Road Association (PIARC) |location= Paris | isbn= 978-2-84060-393-1 |url=https://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/25057-en-Road%20network%20management%20for%20improved%20mobility.htm}}.
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:International organisations based in France Category:International professional associations Category:Organisations based in Paris Category:Organizations established in 1909 Category:Road transport organizations Category:Transport organisations based in France
{{Road-stub}}