Skip to main content

ECTRI speaker ‘anticipates US$111 billion of EU transport research funding’

In a special event attended by more than 100 high level representatives of all sectors of European transport, the European Conference of Transport Research Institutes (ECTRI), recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary Brussels, Belgium. Among the speakers who stressed the importance of ECTRI’s role in European transport research was ECTRI President, Professor George A. Giannopoulos, director of the Hellenic Institute of Transport. He discussed ECTRI’s achievements over the past ten years, in particular: t
October 15, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
In a special event attended by more than 100 high level representatives of all sectors of European transport, the 7515 European Conference of Transport Research Institutes (ECTRI), recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary Brussels, Belgium.

Among the speakers who stressed the importance of ECTRI’s role in European transport research was ECTRI President, Professor George A. Giannopoulos, director of the Hellenic Institute of Transport. He discussed ECTRI’s achievements over the past ten years, in particular: the base line scientific work done by the many ECTRI working Groups in several scientific fields and the more than forty position papers and interventions that ECTRI has put forward on key issues facing European transport; the setting up and running of training workshops and courses for young researchers; the creation and continuous support of a major scientific journal in the field of Transport (the European Transport Research Review); and the promotion of international cooperation and European transport know how and research results globally.

Speakers included Fotis Karamitsos, acting deputy director general at the 1690 European Commission/5578 DG Move, who spoke of the influence of research and innovation for future transport policy and stressed that the current European Transport Policy that was unveiled in 2011 has as its cornerstone the research and innovation that comes from the various national and international research programmes in Europe as well as the Commission’s own research programme Horizon 2020.

Other speakers included Mrs Manuela Soares, director for transport at the European Commission/DG RDI, who said that as much as US$111 billion of EU funding is anticipated over the next seven years for transport research; Robert Skinner, executive Director of the 856 Transportation Research Board of the US National Academies; and Stephen Perkins, Head of Research, 998 International Transport Forum, OECD.  ECTRI’s vice-president, Professor Neil Paulley, presented ECTRI’s future vision and stressed the need for closer cooperation and more forward thinking research focused on solving key policy challenges.

Related Content

  • ITF annual transport summit
    May 8, 2015
    The Annual Summit of the International Transport Forum (ITF) provides a platform for global discussion on strategies for transport in the 21st century. Since 2008, the Annual Summit has developed into the leading global get-together of the key players in transport and transport-related sectors, providing a unique platform for high-level exchange on strategic policy issues. The theme of the 2015 Summit is Transport, Trade and Tourism. It takes place in Leipzig, Germany from 27-29 May 2015, under the presi
  • IBTTA, ITS America applaud long term FAST Act
    December 2, 2015
    The International Bridge, Toll and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) and ITS America have applauded Congressional committee members on reaching agreement on a long-term surface transportation bill.
  • EU to support European ITS and cross-border traveller information services
    January 21, 2015
    The EU's TEN-T Programme will provide over US$58 million of co-financing for the deployment and use of intelligent transport systems (ITS) on European highways to improve their safety, security and efficiency. The projects will address several ITS services, including intelligent truck parking, travel time and real-time traffic information. Close cooperation among 20 EU Member States, road authorities and private stakeholders will improve and support ITS on the main European road network. It will provide
  • EU protests German toll law
    June 19, 2015
    The European Union has launched an infringement procedure on Germany’s introduction of a law introducing a road charging scheme for cars. At the same time, it passed a law ensuring that vehicles registered in Germany benefit from a deduction of the road charge from the annual vehicle tax bill. This will lead to a de facto exemption from the charge for cars registered in Germany. Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: "A toll system can only be compliant with European law if it respects the fundame