Research and Innovation background
- Mobility Vision 2050: A long-term national strategic framework for mobility outlining how the Dutch transport system will evolve towards a sustainable, safe, accessible and digitally integrated mobility system. The strategy guides national-regional collaboration and major infrastructure investments with an emphasis on decarbonised transport, multimodal mobility systems and resilient infrastructure to support economic hubs and cross-border transport networks.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management: Responsible for developing transport policy, innovation programmes and smart mobility deployment. There are specific Directorates General including:
- Aviation and Maritime Affairs
- Mobility
- Environment and International Affairs
- Water and Soil Affairs
- The key themes for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management are knowledge, innovation and strategy.
- Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis (KiM): Government research institute conducting transport policy analysis, mobility modelling, scenario studies and evaluation of mobility innovations. Provides knowledge inputs for the preparation of mobility policy with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
- ProRail: Rail infrastructure manager leading innovation in rail digitalisation, rail infrastructure and European rail interoperability technologies.
- RDW (Vehicle Authority): Regulates vehicle testing, automated vehicle approvals, data standards and supports innovation corridors.
- Connekt ITS Netherlands: Network connecting government, industry and research institutions; focuses on driving innovations in sustainable mobility and logistics through research projects and events and has a global network of over 500 partners.
- TRAIL: The Netherlands Research School for Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics: Dutch research school for Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics that trains PhD candidates and performs scientific and applied scientific research in the fields of mobility, transport, logistics, traffic, infrastructure and transport systems.
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO): Independent not-for-profit research organisation; includes units focused on high-tech innovation and mobility and the built environment.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- Dutch Research Council (NWO): The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is a major national public research funder relevant to transport R&I through competitive thematic and interdisciplinary calls, including programmes linked to energy transition, digitalisation, logistics, mobility and infrastructure, as well as participation in partnerships and National Growth Fund-linked research activities.
- Top Sector Logistics: Logistics research programme, running since 2012, focussed on improving logistics systems, sustainability and the circular economy. The objectives of the research are divided into three themes: Sustainable logistics, Resilient logistics and Durable logistics. The latest Top Sector Implementation programme runs from 2024 to 2027; the aims are to assist companies and governments to keep up with developments, innovate successfully, redesign chains and offer new logistics services.
- National Growth Fund: Government-funded research programme to support projects with high potential to increase the national earning capacity and deliver sustainable and structural economic growth. Funded projects include a Maritime Master Plan for a sustainable industry, projects to expand metropolitan public transport systems and the implementation of a separate bus lane for emission-free, self-driving buses.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)