New VUB Chair Explores Future-Proof Transport Infrastructure
Chair Agile and Future-proof Infrastructure for Transport (A-FIT)
In collaboration with government partners De Vlaamse Waterweg and the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency, as well as professional organizations such as De Vlaamse Waterbouwers, Embuild Vlaanderen, ADEB-VBA, OCW, and Mobibel, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is launching the new chair “Agile and Future-proof Infrastructure for Transport (A-FIT).” Under the leadership of Professor of Sustainable Strategy Elvira Haezendonck, the chair will coordinate four years of research into integrated and forward-looking infrastructure for road and water transport. The aim of this comprehensive research is to pave the way for sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective road and waterway infrastructure for future generations.
Despite increased maintenance efforts by road and waterway managers in recent years, there is clearly a backlog in infrastructure maintenance that needs to be addressed. This was highlighted in the Asset Wijzer 2023 analysis, which assessed the state of the infrastructure. While a catch-up effort is underway, we are simultaneously transitioning to electric vehicles, autonomous driving and navigation, and the use of more sustainable materials. This creates opportunities to better align tomorrow's investments with these developments.
A previous chair, Infrastructure Asset Management & Lifecycle Planning, led by Prof. Dr. Elvira Haezendonck (VUB) in collaboration with ULB, focused on the efficient management of current public infrastructure in Belgium. However, there remains a knowledge gap regarding the total costs (and benefits) incurred throughout the lifecycle of this infrastructure and how better maintenance strategies can be integrated. Although social cost-benefit analyses already exist, there is a lack of comprehensive and dynamic methodologies to assess the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for forward-looking public infrastructure. This gap hampers efficient decision-making, leading to an underestimation of future maintenance costs, insufficient attention to future-proofing measures, and inadequate oversight of the complex challenges integrated project management faces today. As a result, the sustainability and resilience of our infrastructure are at risk, potentially causing significant societal consequences and hazards.
Elvira Haezendonck: “The VUB Chair Agile and Future-proof Infrastructure for Transport (A-FIT) tackles this challenge and will investigate future-proof infrastructure and maintenance strategies, predictive and preventive maintenance approaches, and effective integration methodologies for public transport infrastructure projects. The ultimate goal is to develop and maintain transport infrastructure that is future-oriented, sustainable, and cost-efficient, thereby supporting our economy and society. With our partners, this information will directly reach policymakers and sectors involved.”
Chris Danckaerts, Managing Director of De Vlaamse Waterweg: “The quality and availability of our infrastructure are key factors in shaping Flanders’ image. In recent years, significant steps have been taken in the professionalization of maintenance and asset management within the policy domain. This academic chair, which supports the construction sector and road and waterway managers, is an important next step.”
Kathy Vandenmeersschaut, Director General of the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency: “Aging infrastructure, high traffic loads, complex structures, and significant impacts of failure place a special responsibility on us to carefully monitor our assets and take appropriate measures. Together with other public authorities active in public works and mobility, the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV) fully embraces asset management. This chair undoubtedly represents a major step forward in improving our strategies and methodologies.”
More info:
Prof. dr. Elvira Haezendonck
Elvira.Haezendonck@vub.be