A new report from the European Commission funded Transport Research Innovation Portal (TRIP) provides insight into the deployment of clean transport in Europe – identifying priority research areas to unlock the full environmental, economic and social benefits of low carbon mobility
The “Research Theme Analysis Report: Cleaner Transport” compiles outcomes from over EUR 2.8 billion worth of clean transport research and innovation projects throughout the EU. It focuses on five priority areas of clean transport research: alternative fuels; modal shift; electromobility; low-emissions logistics; vehicle design and manufacture – aviation and maritime; vehicle design and manufacture – road and rail; automation and modern infrastructure.
The report finds that demonstrable progress has been made in implementing innovative clean transport technologies and alternative fuels in Europe, including a significant increase in the deployment of biofuels for road transport. The research also shows that ‘softer’ measures to encourage passengers to adopt lower emission options are leading to tangible CO2 reductions.
Speaking about the report, Gareth Horton, TRIP lead analyst said:
“The new report takes stock of the clean transport research and innovation landscape in Europe. It reveals areas where technology and policy development are leading to multi-modal emissions reduction, including in passenger cars, public transport, shipping and air travel. It also suggests directions for Europe’s researchers and policy makers to focus on, to unlock the full benefits of clean and sustainable transport.”
Suggested areas for future research include expanding alternative fuels beyond passenger cars to include aviation and shipping. The rapidly growing sector of autonomous driving and the conditions under which it could support cleaner mobility is also highlighted as an important target for research.
The report draws on research projects submitted to TRIP, an online portal for transport professionals from across Europe to share the outcomes of their research. In September 2017, the European Commission launched the Transport Research and Innovation Monitoring and Information System (TRIMIS), an evolution of TRIP which it replaces, and incorporates the latter’s database of over 10,000 EU and national transport research projects. TRIMIS will analyse the effectiveness of transport innovation in delivering the EU’s energy and transport strategy, by supporting the EU’s Strategic Transport Research and Innovation Agenda (STRIA).
“Research Theme Analysis Report: Cleaner Transport” is available to download for free at https://trimis.ec.europa.eu/content/trip-research-theme-analysis-report-cleaner-transport
To find out more about TRIMIS, to sign up to regular transport research and innovation updates or to submit your research to the new online portal, visit https://trimis.ec.europa.eu
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Background to TRIMIS
Strategic Transport Research and Innovation Agenda Roadmaps
Mobility has a major influence on the daily lives of European citizens and directly employs more than 11 million people in the EU. Yet the sector is undergoing a number of technological, economic and social transformations at an accelerating pace. Harnessing these changes is essential to deliver a Europe that protects, empowers and defends – a political priority for the Juncker Commission.
In May 2017 the Commission adopted a long-term strategy, "Europe on the Move", to turn these challenges into opportunities and deliver smart, socially fair and competitive mobility by 2025. The EU will drive this transition through targeted legislation and supporting measures, including infrastructure investment, research and innovation. This will ensure that the best clean, connected and automated mobility solutions, transport equipment and vehicles will be developed, offered and manufactured in Europe.
The seven Strategic Transport Research and Innovation Agenda (STRIA) Roadmaps aim for a more integrated and effective transport system across Europe, and to make better use of innovation and new technology in transport.