Research and Innovation background
- Sectoral strategies approved by normative acts: Sectoral strategies developed and promoted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to support the modernisation of the transport infrastructure in Romania. Includes the Railway Infrastructure Development Strategy (2021-2025), the Action Programme for the Development of Railway Infrastructure and the Modal Transfer to Railways of Passenger and Freight Transport, the National Road Safety Strategy (2022-2030), the Strategic Programme for the Development of Airport Infrastructure at Bucharest-Otopeni International Airport, the National Action Programme on the Implementation of the European Rail Traffic Management System, the National Strategy on Intelligent Transport Systems (2022-2030) and the Strategy for Sustainable Transport (2007-2013 and 2020-2030).
- National Strategy for Research, Innovation and Smart Specialisation 2022–2027 (SNCISI): Strategy prepared by the National Research Authority, setting national R&I priorities, including green mobility, intelligent transport systems (ITS), low‑carbon transport technologies, and digital solutions for transport and logistics, and aligns Romania with EU Green Deal objectives.
- National Plan for Research, Development and Innovation 2022–2027: Core implementation instrument, prepared by the National Research Authority, for the SNCISI, with funding of applied transport research under programmes on missions, partnerships for competitiveness, ITS, autonomous systems, and energy‑efficient mobility solutions.
- General Transport Master Plan: Strategic framework for multimodal transport development (road, rail, maritime, air), increasingly aligned with TEN‑T, rail modernisation, and low‑emission mobility, but primarily infrastructure‑oriented with limited R&I components. Key targets include increasing road connectivity, increasing efficiency and attractiveness of rail transport and increasing freight and passengers transported by aviation and maritime sectors.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Ministry of Education and Research (MCID): Responsible for national R&I policy and oversight, including transport‑relevant research priorities.
- Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure: Sets national transport policy and oversees applied studies, pilots, and data relevant to mobility innovation.
- INCERTRANS – National Institute for Transport Research: Applied research institute focusing on road, rail, maritime transport, traffic engineering, materials, safety, and environmental impacts.
- Faculty of Transports – Politehnica University of Bucharest: Romania’s main academic hub for rail, road, vehicle engineering, ITS, traffic management, and urban mobility research.
- Transport Systems Research Group – Technical University of Cluj‑Napoca: Conducts applied research on ITS, urban mobility planning, traffic modelling, environmental impacts, and pilot studies.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI): Manages PNCDI IV calls, including transport‑relevant missions, partnerships, autonomous systems, and digital mobility research.
- PNCDI IV – Missions and Partnerships for Competitiveness: Funds applied transport research projects in clean mobility, logistics digitalisation, autonomous systems, and low‑carbon transport technologies.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)