International activities
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) takes part in a range of international activities.
The purposes of our international activities are to:
- provide the NPRA with new knowledge in order to strengthen and enhance professional development in our organisation
- ensure improved coordination of cross-border plans, projects and transports in the Nordic countries and the High North
- contribute to the development of rules and regulations within the field of roads and road traffic in Norway through influencing such development and meeting Norway’s commitment to implement EU regulations within the framework of the EEA agreement
Participation in international organisations
The NPRA is a member of three multidisciplinary organisations:
- The Nordic Road Association (NVF)
- Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR)
- World Road Association (PIARC)
In addition to these multidisciplinary organisations we also participate in field-specific fora when this serves our needs.
Research and development
National priority areas within research and development (R&D) are to be improved through participation in international R&D-fora.
The NPRA takes part in
- NordFoU
- The CEDR Transnational Research Programme
- Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL)
- The OECD International Transport Forum
- various EU research programmes
Participation in European R&D fora also gives us access to R&D communities and findings in the USA.
Cross-border projects and transports
The directors of the Nordic road and traffic administrations are cooperating on cross-border plans, projects and transports. In addition to cooperation on individual projects/road sections, emphasis is placed on strategic choices and priorities in the work to prepare national transport plans, in order to coordinate plans and budgets.
The Barents Euro-Arctic Pan-European Transport Area (BEATA) focuses on transport cooperation in the Barents region and the NPRA assists the Ministry of Transport and Communications in protecting Norwegian interests. As part of the BEATA cooperation, the four countries have developed the Joint Barents Transport Plan. The intention is to incorporate this plan into the National Transport Plan.
EU legislation and obligations under the EEA agreement
The EEA agreement of 1994 commits Norway to adopting EU legislation. The NPRA is to adapt its activities to the EEA strategy and six-month EEA work programmes of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. We are to maintain an overview of EU initiatives that may affect NPRA responsibilities. In consultation with the Ministry, the NPRA participates in committees and working groups in order to influence the development of rules and regulations. Furthermore, the NPRA is to disseminate information on, and implement, adopted directives and policies related to NPRA responsibilities.
EU related work is also carried out through participation in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Application of standards is in principle voluntary, but EU legislation may in some cases make the use of international standards mandatory.