Objectives

The research scope will consider the surface transport system embracing all its constituents: products (vehicles, vessels and infrastructures), services, operations and users integrating organisation, legal and policy frameworks. Five Activities are addressed, reflecting the strategic and policy challenges for Europe:

• The greening of surface transport
• Encouraging modal shift and decongesting transport corridors
• Ensuring sustainable urban mobility
• Improving safety and security
• Strengthening competitiveness

Research to deliver “fit for use” fuel cell technologies and hydrogen energy to the point of commercial take-off, will be undertaken by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative (FCH JTI), a public-private partnership. The Commission expects Council to reach a Common Approach on the establishment of the JTI in February 2008.  It will concentrate for the first two to three years on fuel cells and socio-economic impacts rather than hydrogen. Its main focus will be on roads but will cover maritime as well and to a lesser extent, rail.  The Commission has indicated that research on power trains and alternative fuels will be covered by the Surface Transport part of the FP7 Transport Thematic Priority.

Policy Dimension

The policy dimension of the work programme derives from the objectives and priorities described in the White Paper on Transport "European Transport Policy for 2010" and its Mid-term review. The aim is to ensure that transport meets society’s economic, social and environmental needs through efficient and effective transportation systems that:

• offer a high level of mobility for people and business
• protect the environment, ensure security of energy supply, promote minimum labour standards, and protect the passenger and the citizen
• utilise innovative and intelligent solutions in tackling problems associated with mobility and the environment

Research in support of policy involves the application of existing knowledge, the development of new knowledge, the integration of new technologies and policy measures, horizon scanning to anticipate and prepare for new challenges, and scenario testing. Surface transport research is concentrated in the Transport Thematic Priority. However the interdependency between transport and other European policies means that research supporting transport policy in surface transport spans eight Thematic Priorities in the Cooperation Programme and six Calls in 2008. Summary topic abstracts relevant to transport policy and applications are available to download. These cover all topics open in Surface Transport. The Transport Thematic Priority is also complemented by a number of other European Programmes(most with annual Calls). See the Call Roadmap.

The Department for Transport takes the lead for the UK in negotiations with the European Commission on transport policy research in the Framework Programmes. Its policy objectives and research priorities are broadly compatible with those of the Commission; and it is a user of the research. To explore the context in which topics open in the current calls were identified, and to help anticipate the content of future calls, see the indicative overview of national and European policy and research drivers, the European funded Transport Research Knowledge Centre's synthesis of research funded under FP4, FP5 and FP6, and the Technology Platforms’ outputs.

Industrial Dimension

The industrial dimension of the work programme, particularly in relation to technological research, has been heavily influenced by the various surface transport European Technology Platforms. It is strongly recommended that you visit the websites of these Platforms to obtain details of their Strategic Research Agendas (SRA) and Implementation Plans, both to obtain early warning of what topics might be within future Surface Transport Work Programmes, but also to identify how you can participate in their work and possibly influence the relevant SRA:

ERTRAC (road transport)

ERRAC (rail transport)

WATERBORNE (waterborne transport)

FCH (fuel cells and hydrogen)

ESTP (space)