STA Newsletter
Issue # Q3 2025
A quarterly online journal providing news and background about activities undertaken by STA with a view to improving the methods, technologies and standards associated to transportation infrastructures.
2025 STA Annual Conference & Innovation Awards within the European Transport Conference
The conference proceedings are now available!
On 17 September 2025, the 10th anniversary edition of the STA Annual Conference & Innovation Awards took place at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, under the theme “Safer & Greener Transport Infrastructures in the context of AI & Big Data developments”.
The one-day event was held under the umbrella of the European Transport Conference, and welcomed more than 40 participants who heard from experts about the latest policies, solutions and strategies driving a new generation of safer and greener transport infrastructures leveraging emerging technologies in AI and Big Data.
2025 STA Releases Discussion Paper on R&D&I Priorities for European Transport Infrastructures
The paper identifies challenges and provides a roadmap for research, development, and innovation in European transport infrastructures.
STA is pleased to announce the release of a new Discussion Paper 1/2025, under the title “Priorities & Recommendations for Research, Development & Innovation in European Transport Infrastructures”.
The paper is authored by Mr César Bartolomé, Director for Innovation at the Spanish Institute of Cement and its Applications (IECA), Chair of STA’s Technical Committee on Smart Sustainability, with contributions from several additional STA experts.
It highlights the significant challenges Europe’s transport systems are facing today as we move towards a more sustainable, resilient, and competitive mode.
STA calls for action for greater investments in transport infrastructure modernisation to enable seamless interaction with autonomous, connected, and digitally managed vehicles.
The STA report proposes four pillars to be integrated to ensure Europe’s transport sector becomes not only greener and safer, but also resilient, equitable, and globally competitive.
STA Joins High-Level Event Exploring AI Applications to Transport Infrastructures
The panel discussion focused on AI tools for traffic management, road safety and infrastructure maintenance.
On 1 July 2025, the Smart Transportation Alliance (STA) reaffirmed its commitment and expertise in applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transport infrastructure during the event “Artificial Intelligence Applied to Transport – Current Situation, Expectations, and Challenges”. The event was organised by the Transport and Digital Society Committees of the Spanish Institute of Engineering (IIE).
STA was represented by its President, Dr José F. Papí, who moderated the panel session titled "Applications of AI in Transport and Infrastructures”. The panel sparked engaging discussions, highlighting practical applications of digitalisation and new AI tools in areas such as traffic management, road safety, and infrastructure maintenance.
The Future of AI-Driven Transport Infrastructures: STA’s Vision in Huawei’s Magazine
Dr José F. Papí, STA’s President, shares insights on how AI is transforming the full lifecycle of European transport infrastructures.
The vision of STA on transport infrastructure innovation was highlighted on Transform, an online platform powered by Huawei Technologies, exploring how technologies shape our world.
Dr José F. Papí, CEO at Etelätär Innovation and STA President, joined Mr Gavin Allen, Editor-in-Chief at Huawei Technologies, for an interview, focused on the global shift toward smarter, greener, and more connected transportation, and how AI is transforming transport infrastructures across Europe. He underscored STA’s position that a holistic approach across the entire infrastructure lifecycle is essential for the successful integration of AI developments.
Read the full interview with Dr José F. Papí and other leading experts in the latest edition of Transform.
“The key to successful implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) resides in the seamless integration of AI tools with maintenance workflows, ensuring that decision-making is data-driven and that maintenance actions are timely and effective. As we embrace AI in road management and virtual inspections, we pave the way for smarter, safer and more sustainable roadways.”
NEWS OF INTEREST
Mark Your Calendar: Join the Online Webinar on Digital Road Transport Technologies
Learn from three EU-funded projects and industry experts how digital technologies are shaping the future of European Road Transport.
Join us online on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, from 11:30 - 13:00 CET for a webinar organised by the KEYSTONE project, exploring how digital technologies and standards are transforming road transport control across Europe.
Experts from three EU-funded projects, KEYSTONE, SETO, and HOLOGISTICS, will present innovative tools, standards and pilots shaping the future of smart enforcement, digital infrastructure and zero-emission freight.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, share knowledge and discuss the future of digital road transport technologies. Find the final agenda & register on the link below!
Registration for the webinar is free.