Transport infrastructure includes physical networks, terminals and intermodal nodes, information systems and refuelling and electrical supply networks which are necessary for the safe, secure operation of road, rail, civil aviation, inland waterways and shipping.

European Union transport infrastructure faces key challenges with regard to governance; pricing, taxation and finance; syncromodality, intermodality, interoperability and integration of transport systems; life cycle optimisation; and infrastructure operation. The Strategic Transport Research and Innovation Agenda (STRIA) Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure aims to develop research and innovation in these key areas, test new methodologies and prepare the ground for future transport infrastructure policies.

In Brief

Transport infrastructure includes basic facilities and systems for operators and users. These are: • urban public transport networks - including light rail

(metro and tram), rail, bus, urban motorways and bus lanes;

• inter-urban or inter-regional - including motorways, main-line inter-city and high speed rail, inland shipping and domestic aviation;

• international gateways - airport hubs and major sea ports - along with other regional ports and airports.

In addition, there is extensive supporting infrastructure: • traffic and transport control systems, aimed at

ensuring safe, secure, efficient, reliable and resilient transport for all modes of transport;

• fuel distribution infrastructure; • information and communication technologies used

for customer information, and for tracking, charging, ticketing and billing;

• areas for logistics activities including logistics hubs, dry-ports and distriparks;

• energy facilities including electrical traction power networks necessary for infrastructure and transport operation.

The existing infrastructure continues to evolve with investment by infrastructure owners to accommodate changing demand, changing vehicle types, and to improve network performance. Examples are the construction of new container terminals to accommodate the latest generation of post-panamax large container ships, or the installation of electric vehicles charging points.

Current Developments

Key actions to 2030

To meet policy objectives, research and innovation should develop and test methodologies in the following areas:

Key Research Innovation Pathways

Area of work SYSTEMIC ANALYSIS

Target Consider the whole transport systems to ensure

decarbonisation.

Action Time

horizon

Develop a methodology for a systemic cost-benefit

analysis for all transport infrastructure projects, during

the whole life cycle.

2020

Gain a better understanding of the carbon trade-offs of

investing in infrastructure capacity.

2020

Standardize the systemic cost-benefit analysis to

achieve homogeneous implementation. 2020

Support the development of tools for systemic cost-

benefit analysis. 2020

Area of work TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PRICING

Target Develop a methodology for a homogenous EU carbon

charging approach for all transport modes.

Action Time

horizon

Develop and test harmonised methodologies for

carbon pricing as well as a potential redefinition of

vehicle taxes.

2020

Use big data and activity based models to better

understand users’ reaction to charging. 2020

Area of work RESILIENCE

Target Improve the capacity of transport infrastructure to

withstand disruption, absorb disturbance and adapt to

changing conditions under extreme circumstances.

Action Time horizon

Identify and categorize main hazards to be

considered for transport infrastructure resilience. 2020

Develop and test new methodologies and tools to

measure the resilience of transport infrastructure. 2030

Area of work INTERMODALITY

Target Prepare the ground for intermodality, synchromodality,

interoperability and integration of transport systems from

a customer perspective.

Action Time horizon

Conduct an analysis of the main weaknesses and

bottlenecks that hinder transport integration,

interoperability and intermodality.

2020

Develop small-scale demonstrations to showcase

technologies and new forms of information

sharing.

2020

Promote infrastructure innovation taking into

account trends in logistics. 2020

Area of work CAPACITY

Target Maximse asset utilisation for transport infrastructure

Action Time

horizon

Develop tools for information and data collection and

management to monitor infrastructure performance. 2020

Develop technologies to anticipate peak hours and

provide alternatives for passengers and goods. 2020

Support technology evolution to accelerate the rapid

deployment of new business models. 2030

Area of work ENERGY

Target Facilitate a progressive reduction of energy consumption of

transport infrastructure in the whole life cycle and from a

systemic and intermodal perspective.

Action Time

horizon

Improve the presence of innovative fields of work in

Research Programmes. 2020

Support the development of improved integration of

transport infrastructure and energy systems. 2020

Area of work OPEN DATA

Target Facilitate the creation of added-value services for transport

stakeholders and final customers based on the collection of

data from multiple sources.

Action Time

horizon

Develop technology solutions for effective data

collection from decentralized sources and the creation

of new customer-oriented services. 2020

Examine how open data collection and use can be

balanced with security issues. 2030

Area of work INFRASTRUCTURE BREAKTHROUGH

Target Create the framework to allow the required

infrastructure breakthrough to address future mobility

challenges.

Action Time

horizon

Develop an EU labelling system for transport

infrastructure. 2020

Ensure that Research and Innovation activities are linked

with policy objectives for decarbonisation of transport

infrastructure.

2020

Prioritize technologies for carbon capture and storage,

as well as the conversion of carbon in other products. 2020

Provide a space for non-conventional innovation in

Research Programmes. 2020

Develop new contractual performance indicators,

incentives, innovations and technologies to reduce

transport accidents.

2020

The Strategic Transport Research and Innovation Agenda

(STRIA) outlines future transport research and innovation

priorities to decarbonise the European transport sector.

STRIA is one of five interlocking dimensions set out in the

Energy Union strategy that provides a framework to achieve

EU energy and climate goals. It supports the vision of a clean,

connected and competitive European transport system.

In coordination with Member States and transport

stakeholders, STRIA aims to set out common priorities to

support and speed-up the research, innovation and

deployment process leading to radical technology changes in

transport.

STRIA builds on and integrates seven thematic transport

research areas:

• Cooperative, connected and automated transport;

• Transport electrification;

• Vehicle design and manufacturing;

• Low-emission alternative energy for transport;

• Network and traffic management systems; • Smart mobility and services; and

• Infrastructure.

STRIA is also the interface between other relevant sectors

such as energy and information and communication

technology.

Transport Research and Innovation Agenda

The Transport Research and Innovation Monitoring and Information System (TRIMIS) supports the implementation and monitoring of STRIA and its seven roadmaps. TRIMIS is an open-access information system to map and analyse technology trends, research and innovation capacities, as well as monitor progress in the transport sector.

Contact:

European Commission • Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy

Email: EU-TRIMIS@ec.europa.eu

About TRIMIS

https://trimis.ec.europa.eu/