Judging Process
What is the judging process?
The selection panel is not obligated to select an award recipient in each of the twelve categories. Rather, the panel will recognize only those submissions that show outstanding merit. IRF expects that many submissions will demonstrate outstanding achievements not only in one single category, but also possibly in two or more. Such demonstration, however, is not considered to be a criterion for selecting submissions. A project is not eligible for an award in a category in which an application was not submitted. The panel also has the discretion to recognize submissions that do not win an award, yet nevertheless show exceptional merit.
The criteria for the Global Road Achievement Awards are developed and reviewed regularly by the IRF Awards Committee. Committee membership is open to all IRF members in good standing. An independent selection panel will evaluate award submissions. No member of the selection panel may have an interest or bias related to the current applications. If a judge should have such an interest, that judge will be excused from reviewing the applicable entry(ies) and an alternate will be appointed. Awards will only be presented to organizations which have submitted applications demonstrating:
- Original or innovative use of existing technologies
- Original or innovative application of new technologies
- Development of new technologies, products or equipment
- Technical value to road development industry
- Cost and efficiency considerations
- Contributions to social and economic concerns
- The surpassing of minimum regulatory requirements or industry standards
- Complexity
- Replication capability
- Degree to which the project, product, research, etc. meets the needs of the public, industry, owner or client
- A successful program, concept, or product on a specific project
The selection panel is expected to name recipients of the Global Road Achievement Awards on or before July 30, 2008. Presentation of the Global Road Achievement Awards will take place at a venue chosen by the recipient to maximize the exposure of the award winning project. The International Road Federation will make significant and substantial efforts to promote and publicize the Global Road Achievement Awards. The benefits of winning the IRF Award will include the presentation of a crystal trophy at the IRF Annual Meeting, the publishing of a 750-word article in our official magazine, World Highways, and a full page summary of your project in the IRF 2008 GRAA Book of Winning Projects. IRF has also established additional corporate visibility options for winners to further enhance the exposure of these outstanding projects.
IRF views the awards as an important way to promote the road development industry around the world and will make substantial efforts to see that the awarded achievements receive maximum worldwide publicity. All materials submitted to IRF as part of an application package will be made available to members and the public. This will enable IRF to provide recognition to all members who put forth an effort to apply for a Global Road Achievement Award.