This period corresponds to the completion of Version 1 of HDM-4.

In order to fund the project, PIARC mobilized sponsorship from various member countries or organizations including DFID (U.K.), Madagascar, Denmark, FHWA (USA), France.

Version 1 of the HDM-4 software was officially launched during the XXIth World Road Congress in Kuala Lumpur in November 1999.

Version 1.0 of the Highway Development and Management (HDM-4) software was released in January 2000, in English, French and Russian editions. This has subsequently been updated through the release of Version 1.1 in July 2000, followed later by Version 1.2 in April 2001 and Version 1.3 in December 2001

By the end of 2000, the initial phase of management of the ISOHDM project was considered as completed, with among main achievements:

• the release of version 1;
• non exclusive dissemination agreement for the HDM-4 version 1.3 products signed by PIARC in 2000 with McTrans, Ponts Formation Edition, and the Spanish Road Association;
• widespread training and dissemination with events in at least 25 countries within all regions of the world;
• establishment of the HDM-4 Information Centre website.