France - National Report for TS1: New Organisation for a Roads Service which is Closer to Citizens and More Effective

On August 13, 2004 in France, the Act on local liberties and responsibilities was promulgated. This law modified the distribution of powers between the French State and the different levels of local government. In the area of roads, it led to the transfer in January, 2006 of approximately half the national road network to the French Districts. The application of these principles goes hand in hand with the affirmation of the State's role in ensuring the integrity of road networks with a view to maintaining road safety and the free circulation of people and goods. Accordingly, the State and the Districts must invent new forms of cooperation. The goal of transferring roads and associated personnel to the Districts is to enable each level of government concerned to apply its policies more effectively in terms of both financial management and the service provided to users. The control of the whole framework of infrastructure and technical services by the Districts makes possible a better adjustment of local development policies to the relevant territory with renewed and enriched input from citizens and elected representatives. The refocusing of the State on a more restricted network, largely comprised of the busiest routes, makes possible a specialisation and professionalisation in the organisation of road services through the putting into place of road-dedicated units at a level of government which best corresponds to the current travelling behaviour of road-users. For the Districts, the long-term challenge is to succeed in maintaining and developing the technical skills of the transferred services. For the State, the major challenge consists of managing a change in culture: the road network having reached maturity, the highest priority must be given to operating and no longer to expanding. For the covering abstract see ITRD E139491.

• Authors:
  • PARISE, P
  • KRATTINGER, Y
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 15p
• Serial:
  • 23RD PIARC WORLD ROAD CONGRESS PARIS, 17-21 SEPTEMBER 2007
  • Publisher: World Road Association (PIARC)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Administration; Conferences; Districts and authorities; Legislation; Local government; Networks; Roads; Safety; Transportation departments
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road networks
• Geographic Terms: France
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01116757
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: TRL
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 22 2008 8:17AM