Last Chance to Register for the 2026 STA Annual Conference & Innovation Awards!

From Vision to Projects: Expert Insights to Shape EU Transport Investments in 2028-2034.

Join the 2026 STA Annual Conference & Innovation Awards, online this year, on Thursday, 26 November 2026.

Under the theme “From Vision to Projects: Expert Insights to Shape EU Transport Investments in 2028–2034”, participants will have the opportunity to explore how to maximise the value of EU transport investments, hear expert perspectives on key transport issues and challenges identified through the STA Expert Perception Tracker, and discover how European transport systems compare through the 2026 STA Transport Sector Health Index.

As in previous years, distinguished innovators will also be recognised for their contribution to the transport sector. Do not miss the opportunity to join us online on 26 November 2026 and help us shape a safer, smarter and more digital future for transport infrastructure.

Please note: The deadline for registration is 20 November 2026.

How Healthy Are Europe’s Transport Systems?

Discover the 2026 STA Transport Sector Health Index (TSHI): A Data-Driven Benchmark of European Countries.

Europe’s Transport Network: Higher Ambitions, Tighter Budget and Still Gaps at Borders - How Should We Invest Better?

Explore the challenges and opportunities for EU transport investments in 2028–2034.

In anticipation of the forthcoming 2028-2034 budget, Dr José F. Papí, CEO of Etelätär Innovation and President of STA, prepared the study Investing in Transport in the New MFF for the European Parliament on transport funding, explaining where EU money makes the biggest difference and where it still falls short.

During his session, he will share why, according to his study, the forthcoming MFF period faces a perfect storm: strengthening transport connectivity, safety and resilience while accelerating decarbonisation under tighter budgets.

He will also highlight the need to improve reporting and indicators to make the impacts of EU funding easier to measure, while balancing the need to ring-fence budget categories with greater flexibility in the use of EU funding.

What Do Transport Experts Think About the Main Transport Issues?

Insights from four editions of the STA Expert Perception Tracker.

In light of the findings from the four editions of the STA Expert Perception Tracker earlier in 2026, transport experts shared their insights on the main issues shaping the sector, helping us better understand its challenges and opportunities.

From safety and financing to sustainability and better connectivity, insights from over 500 professionals have been shared and interpreted, with the key findings to be presented during the final session of the STA Annual Conference & Innovation Awards.

The panel discussion will bring together:

1. Dr Elena de la Peña, Deputy Director General for Technical Affairs at the Spanish Road Association (AEC), STA Vice-President and Chair of STA’s Technical Committee on Safety & Resilience;

2. Mr César Bartolomé, Director for Innovation at the Spanish Institute of Cement and its Applications (IECA) and Chair of STA’s Technical Committee on Smart Sustainability;

3. Prof José Manuel Vassallo, Director of the Transportation Research Centre (TRANSyT) at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) and Chair of STA’s Technical Committee on Financing;

4. Mr Jorge Alfonso, Researcher at the Visual Telecommunications Application Group (VTAG) Research Group of the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), Chair of STA’s Technical Committee on Operations & Connectivity

5. and Ms Eftychia Koliou, STA Communications Officer and Expert Perception Tracker Manager.

Honouring Distinguished Innovators and Solutions in the Transport Sector

Celebrating the 2026 STA Innovation Awards.

Upon concluding the conference, the 2026 STA Innovation Awards will honour a distinguished individual and a innovative solutions contributing to the development of smarter transportation infrastructures.

The Person of the Year Award will be presented to Ms Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), for her outstanding contribution to the transport sector. As Chair of the TRAN Committee, she plays an important role in overseeing EU transport policy and legislation, including the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), as the EU prepares to enter a new 2028-2034 investment period. Her priorities for the sector focus on enhancing sustainability, promoting digital innovation andsupporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Best Innovation Solution Award will be presented to FLASH-LED (First Line Accident Signal with High Intensity LED), developed by A35 Brebemi-Aleatica in cooperation with All.V.iN Srl. FLASH-LED enables the remote deployment of high-visibility warning systems on accident sites, helping improve road-user and operator safety. The system can also alert road users to hazards through platforms such as Google and Waze, providing timely information and further supporting road safety.