IRF-Washington Chairman, Brian Harris Addresses REAAA and Visits Japan Road Association
by Masato Matsumoto, IRF Fellow
IRF Chairman Brian Harris with Mr. Hiroyuki Fujikawa, President of the Japan Road Association
Mr. Brian T. Harris, the chairman of IRF Washington Program Center, visited Korea to attend the 13th REAAA (Road Engineering Association of Asia and Australasia) Conference on September 23rd to 26th. Mr. Harris addressed the delegates and spoke of the importance the road must play in transportation.
"In our modern world, there is an ever increasing variety of modes of transportation. However, the road is still the transportation link which holds our intermodal world together," said Mr. Harris. "Today’s world needs many modes of Transport, not just roads. The responsibility of organizations such as REAAA, IRF and PIARC is to promote and foster the role of roads as part of an integrated approach to transportation needs."
IRF Fellows Reunion Event
Mr. Harris was invited to the IRF Fellows Reunion at Best Western Premier Songdo Park Hotel in Incheon, Korea at the breakfast on September 24th. Dr. Kyong-soo Yoo, an IRF Fellow from Korea and president of REAAA expressed his warm welcome to Brian Harris and 10 IRF Fellows. The reunion was a wonderful opportunity for all the participants to reaffirm their friendship and develop robust network.
IRF Chairman Brian Harris gives a presentation to the Japan Road Association
Japan Road Association
On September 28th, Mr. Harris visited Japan Road Association (JRA). The meeting started with the opening address by Mr. Hiroyuki Fujikawa, the JRA President. Then, the two IRF Fellows, Mr. Eiji Ochiai and Mr. Taizo Yamamoto who have finished their studies in the United States recently made a presentation on various experience during the IRF Fellowship and Executive Leadership Program.
After the Fellows’ presentation, a brief report on the latest Korean roads & bridges was made by Mr. Moriyasu Furuki, and Mr. Harris gave the lecture ‘Impact of the Extension of SAFETEA-LU vs. 6-Year Authorization of Highway Program’, followed by a questions and answers session. The lecture provided useful information on legislative aspects on highway funds in the United Stated which the Japanese road community pays attention to all the times. At the end of his lecture, Mr. Harris showed his sincere gratitude for JRA’s continuous support for IRF Fellowship Program.