Dr. Roland
Leucker, Chairman of ITA COSUF; Ben van den Horn, Secretary general of ITA
COSUF. ITA COSUF Press Conference Dubrovnik, 26 May 2015.
Focus on Safety and Security in
Tunnels during Operation
Dubrovnik/Lausanne, May 2015. ITA COSUF is the brand for world-wide
exchange of know-how and information regarding safety and security of
underground facilities. More than 80 members from all over the world meet every
year several times in activity groups, workshops and conferences for exchange
and discussion.
ITA COSUF was founded 10 years
ago and is the first committee of the ITA, the International Tunnelling and
Underground Space Association. Since the foundation of ITA in 1974 working
groups act on all topics dealing with tunnelling and related construction activities
on underground space around the world. However, the topic “Safety during
operation” was underrepresented.
Dr. Roland Leucker, Chairman of ITA COSUF
That was the main reason to found Committees
which are focused on special, very important topics in the field of tunnelling
and which are intended to transfer and exchange know-how. For this reason it
doesn´t wonder that the very first one was the ITA Committee on Operational
Safety of Underground Facilities which celebrates the 10th anniversary of
foundation in 2015 in Dubrovnik (Croatia).
ITA COSUF is the Centre of
Excellence consisting of approx. 80 corporate member organisations and
companies from 25 countries all over the world. COSUF was founded at the
ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress in Istanbul 2005 following a joint initiative
of eight European Research Projects which intended to improve the safety for
users of tunnels. The World Road Association PIARC is also supporting ITA
COSUF. Since the very first beginning COSUF is a platform for communication on
operational safety and security in underground facilities. Only the best
specialists in the field of tunnelling are discussing in four different
activity groups about the latest developments.
Ben van den Horn, Secretary general of ITA COSUF
As a platform for communication
on operational safety and security in underground facilities ITA COSUF has a
wide range of activities. To meet, exchange views and share experiences is the
main issue of all 80 members around the world. ITA COSUF is absolutely a must
to join for all global players in safety and security of underground
facilities. Specialists from all fields of tunnelling – authorities,
consultants, research, industry, contractors, safety officers and much more –
join this network. Another big advantage is to point out: ITA COSUF covers all
different types of underground facilities.
ITA COSUF promotes safety and
security by
·
fostering innovation
·
raising awareness of current and new developed safety
and security issues amongst decision makers, professional end users, financers,
risk managers, international forums and other stakeholders
·
supporting development of improved regulations and
standards regarding safety and security of underground facilities during
operation.
Main objectives of ITA COSUF are
to
·
exchange knowledge
·
facilitate cooperation worldwide
·
support the creation of dedicated teams and groups to
perform specific research or other activities
·
enhance research and development activities through
combining national, European and international funding and support.
Over all, networking is the main
issue for the Centre of Excellence ITA COSUF. Workshops are important means of
communicating the ideas of COSUF. One workshop is open for all and the second
one is internal only for ITA COSUF members sharing their opinions and
knowledge. To share views and experience between the practicing professionals
is the aim of the open workshop. While most workshops focus on a specific
project with ground-breaking impact on safety and security purposes, some of
them are organised to inform and discuss solutions from the ITA COSUF activity
groups.
Beside the two annual workshops,
the activity groups are the core pillars of ITA COSUF.
·
Activity Group 1: Interaction with European and
International Initiatives
·
Activity Group 2: Regulations and Best Practice
·
Activity Group 3: Research and new Findings
·
Activity Group 4: European Forum for Road Tunnel
Safety Officers
Luis Martin Gonzalez, editor in Chief of Noti.Mx and Dr. Roland Leucker Chairman of ITA COSUF
Joining ITA COSUF is very easy.
It´s not needed to be an ITA member and for this reason ITA COSUF welcomes
corporate and individual members.
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