
TRA2024 Themes
- Safe & Inclusive Transport
- Sustainable Mobility of People and Goods
- Collaborative Digitalisation
- Efficient & Resilient Systems
Conference Sub-themes
Participants are encouraged to discuss the following sub-themes, which are intended to provide a structure for a thorough discussion of the challenges facing the transport sector and the multi-disciplinary ways in which these are being addressed.
Safe & Inclusive Transport
Theme 1
The coming decade will see green and digital transitions within the European transport sector, and social engagement and acceptance will be key for these changes to successfully take effect. There is an imperative to place the user at the heart of policies and solutions proposed to deliver a more inclusive transport system. A better understanding of behavioural drivers will lead to more sustainable and efficient modal choices with improved safety performance. These transitions will also be an enabler for economic growth, supporting the single market and international co-operation. This will create new employment opportunities, and the evolving transport sector will create markets for new skills and training. Papers are invited in the following areas:

1.1 Transport Safety
Our transport systems are becoming increasingly digitalised, and this is occurring in a time when society expects our mobility services to continuously improve. Advances in areas such as passive, active & tertiary safety, human-machine interfaces & technological integration and autonomous vehicle risk assessment must ensure very high safety levels for a more inclusive & safer transport system.
1.2 Future Workforce & Skills
1.3 People-Centred & Inclusive Transport
1.4 Transport Policy
Sustainable Mobility of People & Goods
Theme 2
Today transport represents about 25% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and addressing this is a core element of the European Green Deal. Goals have been set of at least a 55% reduction in transport-related GHGs by 2030 and 90% by 2050. This must also be accompanied by reduced environmental impact and associated loss of biodiversity.
The path to sustainable mobility requires multi-disciplinary research and innovation across all sectors of society. Our transport systems must foster cohesion, reduce regional disparities, and improve connectivity and access to the internal market for all. There is a need for greener mobility of people and goods, supported by zero-emissions vehicles and systems.

2.1 Urban, Regional & Rural Transport
2.2 Zero Emissions Transport
2.3 Impact on Health & the Environment
2.4 Logistics & Sustainable Transport
Supply chain emissions are a challenge for all sectors and solutions are needed to support the transition to zero emissions logistics. Interconnectivity between long-distance and ‘first and last mile’ connections is critical for efficient freight transport, as are advances in freight intermodality, load optimisation processes and energy-efficient fleets.
Collaborative Digitalisation
Theme 3
Digitalisation is a key driver of change in the transport sector and will lead to efficiencies in all modes, through solutions such as Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), automated mobility, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) etc. The digital transition will place data sharing as a key requirement for Europe to achieve efficient connectivity, leading to open questions on governance, cyber security and open science. Digital infrastructure (5G and beyond) will be a key enabler, as will the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies.

3.1 Digital Transition
Digitalisation is driving the transition to smart mobility, enabled by advances in AI, the internet of things (IoT) and data science. This is opening up new possibilities as digital twins and blockchain can support more efficient logistics operations, and new solutions for mobility of people.
3.2 Transport Data Sharing
3.3 Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility
3.4 Digital Transport Infrastructure
The digital transition will place significant emphasis on the supporting digital infrastructure, with connectivity to 5G a key issue. This connectivity underpins smart infrastructure, enabling sensor-based monitoring, digital twins and the physical internet. The advent of 6G will have a transformative effect for future transport systems.
Efficient & Resilient Systems
Theme 4
This required resilience will also link to energy supply and access to raw materials, as our transport systems move from fossil fuels to more sustainable alternatives. There is a clear need to apply circular economy principles to all elements of the transport system. Finally, strategic autonomy of the European transport sector will become key in a world of a changing geopolitical context.
