Research and Innovation background
- Guidelines for the Development of the Transport System for 2021-2027: A medium-term transport policy planning document that defines goals and priorities in the transport sector, ensuring safe, efficient, intelligent and sustainable mobility, contributes to the country's economic growth, regional development and to the transition to a low-carbon economy. Includes transport innovation strategy focused on decarbonisation, digitalisation, intelligent transport systems, multimodal mobility, alternative fuels, smart logistics and innovation deployment in passenger and freight transport.
- Rail Baltica: A trans-European rail infrastructure project to integrate Latvia into the European standard-gauge network, support sustainable intercity and cross-border transport and reduce GHG emissions relative to road transport.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Ministry of Transport: Lead authority for transport innovation including sustainable mobility solutions and smart transport deployment.
- Riga Technical University (RTU): Research at RTU is organised on six research platforms. One such platform is Transport, including research in energy efficient road, rail and air transport, intelligent transport systems, autonomous systems, rail innovation, freight systems and alternative fuels
- Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI): Dedicated transport research institute specialising in logistics, aviation, autonomous transport, digitalisation and transport systems modelling. TSI is the lead and participant of Transport and Logistics related projects in programmes such as Horizon Europe, Interreg, Erasmus. TSI is also a member of the European Conference of Transport Research Institutes (ECTRI).
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- Greening the Riga Metropolitan Transport System: Investment measures to consolidate multimodal public transport and reduce emissions in the capital region. Elements of transport research and innovation include having low-emission urban mobility integrated transport solutions and public transport modernisation.
- Interreg VI-A - Latvia-Lithuania: Aims to improve sustainable and cohesive socio-economic development in the cross-border region by making it more competitive and attractive to live, study, work and visit. Supports research in sustainable urban and rural mobility and tourism connectivity and pilots actions to test innovative public services, including digital transport solutions or measures to reduce the administrative burden of cross-border travel.
- European Union Cohesion Policy programme 2021-2027 (Latvia transport innovation components): Paves the way for investments from the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Social Fund+ and the Just Transition Fund. Nationally managed fund support for sustainable mobility innovation in Latvia and funds sustainable modes of transport including railways and better tram and cycling infrastructure in cities.
- Latvia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan:Provides grants to boost green transitions including sustainable and clean mobility solutions such as urban mobility, electrification, and smart transport deployment.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)