Varna, Bulgaria, June 4, 2026 — The International Road Federation (IRF Global) is pleased to announce the appointment of João Neves, Infrastructure Intelligence Manager at Ascendi, Portugal, as the new Chair of the IRF Global Road Safety Committee.
The leadership handover took place during the IRF Global Road Safety Committee meeting held on June 3, 2026, as part of the IRF Global Summit in Varna, Bulgaria.
João Neves succeeds Philip Wijers of Sensys Gatso, who chaired the Committee from 2022 to 2026 and will remain an active member. Under Philip’s leadership, the Committee strengthened its role as one of IRF Global’s most active member platforms, with several task forces advancing practical work on key road safety priorities, including work zone safety, passive safety devices, AI for safer road mobility, and powered two-wheeler safety.
Reflecting on his decision to step down as Chair, Philip Wijers said:
“With regret, but also with great confidence, I resigned from my role as Chair of IRF Global’s Road Safety Committee due to my upcoming retirement. With regret, because of the outstanding and life-saving work and deliverables carried out across the seven task forces under the Committee. With great confidence, because I know that my successor, João Neves of Ascendi, will do an excellent job continuing and expanding the global road safety impact of the wide-ranging deliverables created by the task forces under the IRF Global Road Safety Committee.
I would like to thank IRF Global, especially Nina Elter, the task force leadership teams, and the task force membership for their strong commitment, great support, and productive cooperation over the past years. Lastly, I would like to thank Sensys Gatso for allowing me to contribute to the Committee as part of their strategic CSR mission to advance global road safety.”
Welcoming his appointment, João Neves said:
“I’m really proud to take on this responsibility and am fully aware of what it means. I’d like to thank IRF Global, and especially Philip J. Wijers, for the great work done over the past years. We’ll keep focusing on sharing practical, evidence-based road safety solutions around the world that can truly make a difference and save lives.”
João Neves brings more than 21 years of experience across the transport sector, including vehicular traffic, traffic modelling, public transport, road safety, parking, walking, cycling, and intelligent transport systems. Since January 2020, he has led Ascendi’s Road Traffic Safety Unit, focusing on making highways safer for all users.
He was responsible for the development and implementation of Ascendi’s multi-awarded Road Safety Action Plan 2020-2024, which contributed to a 20% reduction in casualties during the project timeframe. He is currently focused on implementing Ascendi’s new Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2027, including continued work to upgrade vehicle restraint systems.
As Chair, João Neves will work with IRF Global, the Committee’s vice-chairs, task force leaders, and members to continue advancing practical, evidence-based road safety solutions. The Committee brings together IRF members to share expertise, support technology transfer, promote good practices, and help reduce fatalities and serious injuries on roads worldwide.
“Road safety remains one of the most urgent responsibilities of the global road sector,” said Patrick S. Sankey, President & CEO of IRF Global. “The IRF Global Road Safety Committee plays an important role in bringing together the expertise, commitment, and practical experience of our members. We are deeply grateful to Philip Wijers for his leadership and dedication, and we warmly welcome João Neves as the new Chair. We look forward to working with him and the Committee members to further strengthen IRF Global’s contribution to safer roads worldwide.”
IRF Global extends its sincere thanks to Philip Wijers for his leadership, service, and commitment as Chair of the Road Safety Committee, and welcomes João Neves as he takes on this important role. With Philip continuing as a member, the Committee will benefit from both continuity and renewed leadership as it advances its mission to support safer roads worldwide.
About the IRF Global Road Safety Committee
The IRF Global Road Safety Committee brings together IRF members to address road safety needs around the world. The Committee works to promote proven, cost-effective, and innovative solutions that help reduce fatalities and serious injuries and support safer mobility for all road users.
Through its task forces and member engagement, the Committee supports knowledge sharing, technology transfer, policy development, capacity building, and the promotion of safer road infrastructure and mobility systems. Its work focuses on helping decision-makers, road authorities, industry leaders, and practitioners better understand and address the interaction between the driver, the vehicle, and the road infrastructure.
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