STA EPT 3/2026 FINDINGS: SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURES START WITH WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE TODAY

Transport experts are voicing the importance of better maintenance of existing assets in the grand scheme of sustainability, according to the findings of the 3/2026 STA Expert Perception Tracker.

The survey, conducted from 15 to 31 July 2026, gathered over 101 responses from transport professionals across 21 countries, providing a snapshot of their views on these challenges, with a particular focus on construction and sustainability in EU transport systems.

Overall, the findings highlight that a sustainable transport future starts not only with building next-gen infrastructure and adopting new technologies, but also with maintaining and renewing our existing assets.

The survey results show that 74.3% of experts believe environmental, economic and social sustainability should be given equal importance, highlighting that the transition towards more sustainable transport infrastructure cannot be reduced to a single objective. When it comes to “greening travel behaviour”, more than half of experts (56.4%) believe that a combination of factors would be the main driver of change. Unexpectedly, the results revealed that lower personal costs (7.9%) and reducing environmental impact (5.0%) are less influential factors. Regarding the extent to which AI tools can facilitate a more sustainable future for transport infrastructure, 77.2% see potential in AI-supported modelling tools. However, trust in their sustainability benefits still requires further evidence.

Read the full press release.