The Transport Research Arena (TRA) kicked off today in Lisbon. Portuguese and international experts gathered at the Lisbon Conference Centre for the largest European research and technology conference to discuss the future of mobility, in all its forms: aviation, rail, road and maritime.
1. Technology is not an issue
There is still need for innovation, but technology is not the biggest challenge in decarbonising transport.
Sigrid de Vries, Director General of the European Vehicle Manufacturer (ACEA)
The necessary technology to reduce emissions already exists or is developing at a fast enough pace to not be an issue. Other challenges overcome technological advancements, such as absent regulatory frameworks or inadequate business models, highlighted Joana Mendonça, president of Portugal’s National Innovation Agency (ANI) during the opening ceremony. In aviation, infrastructure poses another challenge, as it will not be ready in time to support the full use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), added Mary Lombardo, Vice President, Applied Research & Technology at Collins Aerospace.
Using artificial intelligence (AI) is another aspect where an adequate framework is missing, while the means are already there. The concept of AI has been around for decades, but has developed tremendously especially over the past year, observed Anne-Fleur van Veenstra, Director of Science Strategic Analysis & Policy at TNO. At the same time, “certification methodologies, specifically for using AI in mobility, are missing”, pointed out Oliviu Dumitrache, Head of Strategy and Policy Plans at Eurocontrol.
2. Changing behaviours
Changing all the cars with electric ones could bring the illusion of a greener road transport, but Portugal’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing pointed out that, electric vehicles, although they do not directly emit CO2, are not far better than standard fuel vehicles, an electric car needing up to 9 years to offset its manufacturing process. Cars altogether are a problem and our dependency on them has to change.
Decarbonising mobility is not as straightforward as replacing petrol powered cars with electric and hydrogen cars. Electric cars may take up to 9 years to offset the CO2 emitted during its production.
Pedro Nuno Santos, Portuguese Minister for Infrastructure and Housing
Changing behaviours is essential to the green transformation of transport. “This is the hardest part to achieve”, said Mendonça, At the same time technology reduces emissions, demand for transport grows, so what is needed is a growth policy.
3. Knowledge transfer
The lack of knowledge transfer between sectors is another main challenge of decarbonising transport. Each mode of transport is currently tackling the matter on its own – aviation focuses on SAF and fleet renewal, road transport is turning to electric cars, but the only way forward is through global action and collaboration between all the actors involved. “We have these tendencies across the modes of transport to be self-centric”, Dumitrache also highlighted when talking about the implementation of AI.
When you put aviation, rail, road and maritime transport together, you realise they all face the same challenges, but they are at different stages. We need knowledge transfer between sectors to achieve the green transition.
Joana Mendonça, president of Portugal’s National Innovation Agency (ANI)
From a different perspective, the industry side is the one facing the problems, while the research side is the one bringing the solutions. These two are often connected through policy makers, but a more direct interaction between the two could facilitate a faster transition. In this regard, part of TRA’s purpose is providing a common ground where the industry and academia can meet.
