STA Expert Perception Tracker 1/2026 Findings: Safe, but Not Resilient; EU Transport Systems Lag in Climate Readiness and Preventive Maintenance
European transport systems are generally perceived as safe, but important gaps remain in climate resilience and consistency across regions, according to the first edition of the STA Expert Perception Tracker. The survey was conducted between 16 and 31 March 2026, and STA collected 177 expert responses from 27 countries on the safety and resilience of transport infrastructure.
The results show that while a majority of the respondents (56.89%) consider mobility services safe, nearly 40% highlight uneven performance, indicating that safety performance differs across regions within the same country.
Progress in road infrastructure safety is recognised, with 62.87% reporting improvements over the past decade, although more than one-third see no progress or worsening conditions.
As Ms Emanuela Stocchi, President of PIARC (World Road Association) and Acting Director General of AISCAT (Italian Association of Toll Motorways and Tunnels Operators), notes, “while road safety has significantly improved in Europe, achieving zero fatalities and enhancing the climate resilience of infrastructure and mobility remain critical challenges.”
Transport infrastructure in Europe remains far from being climate-resilient. The trend is clear: a large majority of respondents (87.42%) consider their country to be vulnerable to increasingly frequent and intense climate extremes. According to Dr Elena De La Peña, STA Vice-President, Secretary and Chair of Technical Committee 2 on Safety & Resilience, and Deputy Director General at the AEC (Spanish Road Association), “infrastructure resilience is a key concern for users, with maintenance seen as essential for safety, comfort, and climate resilience.”
At the same time, there is strong consensus on the importance of preventive maintenance, with nearly all respondents highlighting its role in ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
Overall, the findings point to the need for a more holistic approach to transport infrastructure management, aligned with European Union priorities for a safer, more sustainable, and resilient transport system.
Read the full press release & key findings.