The ‘CEDR Compass’ is a strategic orientation process to identify the key issues that will determine the future for the National Road Authorities (NRAs) of Europe. It helps to define an associated evidence based forecast for 2030, 2040 and 2050 building from insights from CEDR’s members as well as from strategic engagements with relevant stakeholders.

The outcomes of the Compass process may support or advise the CEDR Governing Board (GB) members in their national communications as well as within the European setting. At the centre of this narrative is the vision for the direction and corresponding role their organisations want to take  (i.e. leading, influencing, following) with regards to the various issues and challenges, and in their engagement with relevant external bodies.

The Compass process supports the CEDR activities in providing and enabling the right framework for its members to: 

• Exchange on developments, knowledge, and practices  from the perspective of their national policies and respective mandates,
• Collaborate on common challenges such as development activities, deployment processes and innovation and research initiatives, and
• Align on a common perspective towards the European context on cross cutting issues, such as joint guidelines and specifications or in engaging with relevant stakeholders from the public sector, industry, and research and education. 

Three dimensions of the Compass:
-energy transition: Reducing CO2 emissions from energy consumption by corporate operations, capital works, supply chain and utilisation of the road network - WG Decarbonisation.
-digital transition: Harnessing data, technology, and connectivity to improve the way the road network is designed, built, operate, and used - WG CAD.
-social equity: Embedding values/principles concerning economy, society, road safety and environment in road network management decision making with focus on justness, fairness and equitability – WG Collaborative Planning.