Mobility and transport

Between 6–9 June 2024, millions of Europeans will help shape the future of European democracy by taking part in the European elections. This is a special moment for EU citizens, who get to collectively decide on the future of the European Union. Don’t forget to use your vote!

The agenda for the 2019-2024 mandate was set when the European Green Deal was adopted in 2019. It tasked the EU with cutting transport emissions by 90% by 2050. The focus has not only been on sustainability, but also on digital technologies for greater efficiency, safety and convenience; on solidarity with Ukraine; on support to the EU’s transport sector as it recovered from COVID-19; and on conditions for Europe’s travelling public and transport workers. Check out the Commission’s work to create a sustainable, smart, safe and resilient transport network!

Two years ago, in May 2022, the European Commission, in collaboration with Ukraine and Moldova, created the Solidarity Lanes to help improve the EU–Ukraine–Moldova transport routes in response to Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Initially established to bypass Russia’s Black Sea blockade of Ukraine’s grain exports, today the Solidarity Lanes cover trade across all sectors. They allow Ukraine and Moldova to export all types of goods to world markets while also ensuring crucial imports reach Ukraine. Long-term, they will also play a pivotal role in Ukraine’s reconstruction and further integration into the EU single market.

The European Commission, together with Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and the US inaugurated the renovated Ukrainian-Moldovan border crossing point in Reni, Ukraine. The group of countries began meeting last summer, when Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain initiative and attacked Ukraine’s port infrastructure to block Ukraine’s grain exports. In response, the group developed the Danube Action Plan, listing practical solutions to increase regional export capacity through alternative routes.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has launched the second release of its digital space for the exchange of information on air taxis and drones with a focus on privacy concerns. The Innovative Air Mobility Hub was launched in December 2023 and enables cities, regions, national authorities, operators, and manufacturers that have a role in the introduction of these air taxi and drone services to connect.

The second Transport Cybersecurity Conference took place in Brussels on 2 May 2024, attracting around 300 participants from across the transport sector. The event served as a pivotal platform for shaping future cybersecurity priorities in the transport domain and concluded with a call to continue collaborating and taking the cybersecurity agenda forward.

The Transport Research Arena (TRA) took place 15 – 18 April in Dublin. TRA is a key European transport event. The event covers all modes – road, rail, waterborne and air transport – and all aspects of mobility. Hosted by the Irish Department of Transport and co-organised by the European Commission, this year’s event welcomed around 4,000 visitors from Europe and beyond.

The Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking is pleased to announce that its Governing Board has appointed Giorgio Travaini as the new Executive Director. He will take on the responsibility for overseeing Europe’s Rail's organisation and driving initiatives aimed at accelerating the development and adoption of cutting-edge rail technologies.

In the face of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU, together with Ukraine and Moldova launched the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes in May 2022, establishing new transport routes to keep Ukraine’s imports and exports flowing via rail, road and inland waterways. Today, the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes have become a lifeline for Ukraine’s economy, transporting ca. 136 million tonnes of Ukrainian exports and about 52 million tonnes of imports.

The European Commission, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, EUROCONTROL, SESAR Deployment Manager and SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking are jointly organising the world’s first trajectory-based operations (TBO) symposium. The aim of the event is to showcase TBO’s benefits, and the progress being made towards realising the global TBO concept.

The event will unveil detailed country-specific reports alongside an overarching analysis of the European electric vehicle landscape. This will cover consumer perceptions on EV costs, driving range, and recharging infrastructure, as well as the impact of governmental incentives on EV adoption.

The Summit will shed new light on autonomy in shipping, and address what is really meant by MASS (Maritime Autonomous Ships and Shipping). Held for the first time in Germany, the event is co-organised by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport and will be particularly relevant for maritime and inland shipping stakeholders. Registration will open soon.

European Mobility Week runs from 16 - 22 September every year, providing towns and cities with an opportunity to host a car-free day for all, accompanied by activities and innovative planning measures to promote new infrastructure and raise awareness of sustainable mobility options, such as public transport, walking and cycling.

This conference organised by the EU Agency for Railways aims at providing practical examples of how Human and Organisational Factors (HOF) is integrated daily within risk management. HOF are at the heart of safety operations and management and play a key role in both operational safety and occupational safety. You can also submit a proposal to share your good practice at the conference – deadline: 15 May 2024.

In Europe, women only account for around 20% of the railway sector workforce. Against this background, several stakeholders from the rail sector have united for the next edition of the Women in Rail Award. The award, divided into three categories, promotes fairness, diversity, and equality, and celebrates outstanding and inspiring women and their achievements in the rail sector. Apply before 7 June and join the award ceremony in September!

The European Road Safety Charter, the largest civil platform dedicated to road safety and led by the European Commission, opened applications for the 2024 Excellence in Road Safety Awards. These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions made by organisations, authorities, and companies within the European Road Safety Charter community towards fostering safer roads across Europe.

The corporate fleet markets for light and heavy-duty vehicles have a high yearly mileage and rapid vehicle turnover. They may therefore be well-suited to accelerating the move towards zero-emission mobility. Due to the broad role played by corporate vehicles across a spectrum of economic activities, the consultation aims to collect feedback from a spectrum of diverse stakeholders, considering the impacts an initiative in this field could have on all of them, as well as on society more broadly.

The European Commission has launched two new calls for projects under Horizon Europe's Work Programme for 2023-2024 Cluster 5 – which groups together topics on climate action, energy and mobility.