ERRAC @ Transport Research Arena 2014
Innovate Mobility, Mobilise Innovation!
From 14 to 17 April 2014, Paris hosted the 5th edition of the Transport Research Arena (TRA) at La Défense.
TRA is a European high standard scientific conference which deals with European and national research activities and all aspects of R&D: from basic sciences, socioeconomic research to applied sciences and demonstration activities. It covers all surface transport modes: rail, road, waterborne and their interfaces.
At a key moment for the European rail sector, with the on-going development of the Horizon 2020 1st call and the final discussions regarding the adoption of the SHIFT²RAIL Joint Undertaking, this conference was the opportunity for all stakeholders involved in research and innovation in transport to demonstrate their commitment towards a more sustainable mobility for societies in Europe.
At the opening session, the ERRAC Chairman, Mr. Doppelbauer, presented the main headlines of the new Strategic Rail Research and Innovation Agenda (SRRIA) to be published by the summer and with a core message around customer’s attractiveness.
As for the rail part, ERRAC relayed the message from all its members about the fundamental role for railways in the sustainable mobility of future generations in Europe and the need to continue supporting investment in research and innovation, especially via the Horizon 2020 calls, to maintain the leadership of the European rail sector.
TRA was also be the occasion for ERRAC, via its stand, to promote its recent activities within the FOSTER RAIL project via the dissemination of communication materials. In addition, Mr. Otteborn, responsible for the ERRAC evaluation Working Group, was also invited to make a presentation in one of the scientific sessions to present the lessons learnt from the evaluation of past rail projects carried out under previous EC Framework Programmes for research & innovation.