Updates from Mexico

Intertraffic Mexico

Intertraffic is a regional meeting on infrastructure, traffic management, safety, security and smart mobility that took place in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 14-16, 2023. The event theme was “smart, safe and sustainable mobility for all.”

The event provided a platform for interinstitutional, governmental and inter-business dialogue, sharing experiences, knowledge and investment opportunities.

The lecture series was divided into three topics:

• Smart mobility for global trends in autonomous, connected, electric and shared mobility

• Road safety for analysis of internationally proven concepts for safe roads

• Vision Zero and sustainable urban mobility as an integrated approach to city infrastructure, mobility planning and public transport

During Intertraffic, the Undersecretary of Transport of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) Rogelio Jiménez Pons shared the perspective that Mexico is developing with mobility in road safety conditions in mind.

Jiménez Pons mentioned this is a historic moment for Mexico because of nearshoring, the trend of businesses locating shipping and manufacturing operations closer to customer bases, lowering transportation costs and increasing delivery speed. This shift drives the creation of new policies and logistics models to improve national competitiveness through road safety and sustainable mobility. This is achieved through technologies like telematics and intelligent transport systems, such as drones connecting urban centers, which will help achieve sustainable travel. The government will facilitate these changes while society fosters a culture of mobility with a comprehensive environmental and social justice vision.

Advancement of Women in the Mexican Federal Transport Sector

The effort to incorporate women in the Mexican federal public transport sector has been an institutional challenge that the industry has been working to address in recent years. However, the SICT has seen an opportunity for change by positioning itself, together with other institutions, to work as a transforming entity regarding gender equality.

The General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) has embarked on initiatives to include women in the sector, recognizing their role as agents of change in productivity and economic growth.

Currently, the number of women operators of federal commercial motor vehicles has increased from 0.2% (2018) to 0.7% (June 2023), according to the number of licenses issued, which means that 4,858 women professional drivers operate on Mexican roads, 81% of whom drive cargo vehicles and 19% passenger vehicles.

Meanwhile, in the Industrial Work Training Centers, 11 women have received meritbased scholarships in subjects related to road safety and the operation of commercial motor vehicles.

In the same vein, the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers and the National Chamber of Freight Transportation launched initiatives to integrate women into the production chain.

In addition, in the area of human trafficking, the SICT, through the Coordinating Directorate for Gender Equality, brought together the DGAF, the Federal Roads and Bridges of Revenue and Related Services, the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency, and the Mexican Postal Service to form a working group to coordinate efforts to raise awareness, offer training and disseminate experiences and best practices in the prevention and reporting of human trafficking in the road transport sector.

Meeting of Authorities for Mobility and Road Safety in Motor Transport

To share perspectives, strategies and projects on Mexican Federal Highways, the SICT and DGAF organized the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport organized the Meeting of Authorities for Mobility and Road Safety in Motor Transport, held on Nov. 23, 2023. Participating groups included the National Guard, the Mexican Transport Institute, the National Association of Private Transport, Scania AB and Estafeta.

One of the main objectives of the SICT is to reduce accident rates and ensure the integrity of road users in the country, said DGAF Director General Laura Nohémi Muñoz Benítez. She also pointed out that the SICT is working on different fronts to increase road safety in federal motor transport services, private transport and auxiliary services.

The attendees had the opportunity to learn about the TruckSim, a state-of-the-art virtual simulator installed in a cargo trailer that can traverse Mexico to provide training, evaluation and skills development for cargo transport drivers, as well as to promote learning networks on the actions developed by governments or institutions. The purpose is to have qualified operators who can improve road safety, management and sustainability in road transport, emphasized Muñoz Benítez.

Association of National Private Transport Executive President Leonardo Gómez Vargas stressed that he is confident that strengthening the cutting-edge equipment contributes to acquiring the knowledge and technology necessary for effective federal motor transport.

Main courses offered to his members include road safety for drivers and synergy for nondriver partners, aiming to generate safety awareness and collaboration among fellow drivers and other associates. In addition, an advanced level course is given to study safe driving in different environments, like mountains, highways, cities, etc.