2026 STA GENERAL MEETING: NEW TECHNICAL COMMITTEES AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR THE NEXT DECADE
On 10 February 2026, STA Members united online for the 11th STA Annual Ordinary General Meeting. The participants gathered virtually to address several issues, review the progress made in 2025, ratify decisions and agree on future steps of the organisation.
STA President & Secretary General Dr José F. Papí kicking off the 11th Ordinary General Meeting of the Smart Transportation Alliance
Dr Jose F. Papí, STA’s President, opened his speech by thanking all STA Members for attending and for their continuous support over these years. During the meeting, STA Members were given a detailed presentation of STA’s progress in 2025 and agreed on a whole set of new activities that will be unveiled to the transport sector in the coming months.
The Members also changed the names and working descriptions of STA’s four Technical Committees to adapt to recent work and industry focus changes:
Technical Committee 1 - Operations & Connectivity (Chair: Mr Jorge Alfonso Kurano, Technical University of Madrid) will focus on advancing the management and integration of transport infrastructures through emerging technologies. Its work covers areas such as automated and connected mobility, artificial intelligence for traffic optimisation, and digital infrastructure systems that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in road operations.
Technical Committee 2 - Safety & Resilience (Chair: Dr Elena De La Peña, Spanish Road Association) will work to enhance the protection and adaptability of transport infrastructures, also addressing topics such as the preparedness for natural disasters, and the dual civil–military use of transport networks to ensure continuous and secure mobility under all conditions.
Technical Committee 3 - Construction & Sustainability (Chair: Mr César Bartolomé, Spanish Institute of Cement and Its Applications) will promote innovative construction practices that reduce the environmental footprint of transport infrastructures. Its scope includes the application of circular economy principles, the adoption of bio-based materials, and the deployment of low-emission construction methods that support long-term environmental goals.
Technical Committee 4 - Financing (Chair: Prof Dr José Manuel Vassallo, Technical University of Madrid) focuses on the economic dimension of transport infrastructure development and management, examining funding mechanisms and applying transport economics to guide efficient investment strategies.
Entering into its second decade, the Smart Transportation Alliance Members have appointed a new Management Committee. STA President & Secretary General Dr José F. Papí (Etelätär Innovation) has been re-elected along Vice-President, Secretary & Chair of Technical Committee 2 - Safety & Resilience Dr Elena De La Peña (Spanish Road Association). New appointments include Mr Ricardo Lobo (Aleatica) as Vice-President & Treasurer, as well as Mr Jorge Kurano Alfonso (Technical University of Madrid) as Chair of Technical Committee 1 - Operations & Connectivity and Ms Frida Kuhl (Etelätär Innovation) as a new Member of the Management Committee. Members Mr Antonio Amengual (Road Steel Engineering) and Prof Dr Thierry Vanelslander (University of Antwerp) were also re-confirmed in their Management Committee roles respectively.
For yet another year STA Members reinforce their commitment, united in the pursuit of excellence in transportation infrastructures.
Author: Frida Kuhl (Smart Transportation Alliance)