History

FEHRL celebrated its 30th birthday in 2019, having been formed in 1989 by a group of road research laboratories, in what was then Western Europe in 1989 who were keen to explore closer cooperation. This was to be seen in light of international developments over several years. The European Union was to include transport in its portfolio as of 1992, a European Transport Policy was being drafted, and the European Commission had initiated large research programmes. 

Events moved quickly and an initial group of 13 member organisations was established. The period of 1989 and 1990 also saw major political events in Europe, with the fall of the communist states in Eastern Europe, the breakup of the former USSR and the subsequent reunification of Germany. As a result, FEHRL was to grow quickly as road administrations and universities in Eastern Europe joined FEHRL over the coming years.

In the early years, FEHRL and its Secretary (subsequently termed Secretary General), were based in TRL in Crowthorne, but by 1994 most of the bodies that still make up the organisation of FEHRL, such as the FEHRL Executive Committee, FEHRL Supervisory Board and Research Coordinators were in place. 

In 2000, an office was established in Brussels, where it has been located since and the organisation continued to grow. Israel was the first non-European organisation to join as an associate member, due to Israel’s participation in Framework programmes. This was followed by the USA, South Africa and Australia, as well as a continued additional members from Eastern Europe.

FEHRL published its first Strategic European Road Research Programme in 1993-94 giving a view of the research requirements for a 5-year period. 2017 saw the publication of the 6th iteration over a 3-year period to reflect the rapid pace of change in research, particularly ICT. This version also looked at cooperation with other modes and implementation of results, taking into account FEHRL’s broadening role.

FEHRL membership 1989 (left) and 2019 (right)