MEET AND CONNECT WITH STA MEMBERS AT TRA 2026

From 18 to 21 May 2026, the Smart Transportation Alliance (STA) and its Members will actively participate in the Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026, taking place in Budapest, Hungary.

Recognised as Europe’s flagship conference on transport and mobility, and initiated by the European Commission, TRA 2026 is expected to bring together over 3,000 participants from across research, industry, policy, and civil society. The event will serve as a key platform to showcase cutting-edge research and foster collaboration across all transport modes.

KEYSTONE in the Spotlight

A central focus of STA’s presence will be the EU-funded KEYSTONE project, whose final results will be presented ahead of its official conclusion in May 2026.

A dedicated booth will be located in the Digital & Cross-Cutting Innovation thematic area within the ALICE Logistics Innovation Village, where visitors will be able to learn how the initiative aims to enable paperless and data-driven enforcement compliance in transport and logistics.

STA Members Key Highlights by Day

18 May 2026

On the first day of the conference, Mari Luz Brownrigg-Gleeson from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) will present the paper “Shaping Business Satisfaction with Pedestrianisation: Evidence from Madrid (Spain)” at Technical Session 1.6 – Active Travel and User Behaviour (Active Travel Modes) (Room G1–G2–G3) from 08:45 to 10:15 CET. The paper, authored by Mari Luz Brownrigg-Gleeson, Andrés Monzón, Iria Lopez-Carreiro and Shireen Al Suleiman, explores factors influencing business perceptions and satisfaction regarding pedestrianisation measures in urban environments, highlighting their role in supporting more sustainable and people-centred mobility solutions.

Later on the same day, Laura Garrido from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) will present the paper “Contribution of New Shared Mobility Services to Achieving Key Sustainability Goals from a Stakeholder Perspective” at Technical Session 2.6 – Innovative Shared Transport Solutions and Strategies (Shared Mobility Solutions) (Room G1–G2–G3) from 17:30 to 19:00 CET. The paper, authored by Diana Naranjo, Juan Nicolas Gonzalez, Laura Garrido, Thais Rangel and Jose Manuel Vassallo, explores the contribution of emerging shared mobility services to achieving key sustainability objectives from the perspective of relevant stakeholders

During the same session, Diana Naranjo from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) will present the paper “Technological Challenges of New Shared Mobility Services: Stakeholder Perspective” from 17:30 to 19:00 CET. Authored by Diana Naranjo, Juan Nicolas Gonzalez, Laura Garrido, Thais Rangel and Jose Manuel Vassallo, the research paper explores the technological challenges associated with emerging shared mobility services from the perspective of key stakeholders.

19 May 2026

STA, which leads the Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation activities of the project, will host the KEYSTONE Final Event within TRA 2026 at Pavilion C, Room G15–G16, on 19 May 2026, from 09:00 to 12:00 CET.

Under the title From Data to Action: Enabling Paperless and Smart Digital Enforcement Compliance in Transport & Logistics – Key Lessons and Next Steps from the EU-Funded KEYSTONE and SETO Projects, the event is organised together with the sister project SETO and will present key results and lessons from three years of work on digital solutions for smarter, paperless, and more efficient compliance in transport and logistics.

Find the agenda, the speakers and the registration link below to secure your spot.

Also, on 19 May 2026, Daniela Castaño-Herrera from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) will present the paper “Spatial Analysis of Online Shopping Returns: Application to the Madrid Region” at Technical Session 3.4 – Modeling Green Freight Systems (Greening Freight Transport) (Room F6) from 14:00 to 15:30 CET. Authored by Daniela Castaño-Herrera, Álvaro Aguilera-García, Juan Gomez and José Manuel Vassallo, the paper explores the spatial dynamics of online shopping returns and their implications for sustainable freight transport and logistics systems.

Later the same day, Jorge Alfonso Kurano from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) will present the paper “Applying AI to road infrastructure monitoring & management: a vision for predictive maintenance and safety management” at Technical Session 4.8 – Infrastructure for Circular Economy (Circular Economy) (Room G7–G8) from 16:00 to 17:30 CET. Authored by STA Members Jorge Alfonso Kurano, Friederike L. Kühl and Dr José F. Papí from Etelätär Innovation, Dr Elena De la Peña from the Spanish Road Association (AEC), and Eftychia Koliou from the Smart Transportation Alliance (STA), the research paper is showcasing how the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance infrastructure resilience, safety, and maintenance efficiency.

20 May 2026

On the third day of the conference, the paper “Complementarity for Consolidation: Unlocking Efficiency for Smarter City Logistics” will be presented by Carlos Granada from the University of Antwerp at Technical Session 6.4 – Innovations in Last-Mile Delivery Operations (Innovative Logistics Solutions) (Room F6) from 16:00 to 17:30 CET. The paper, authored by Thierry Vanelslander, Carlos Granada and Joris Beckers, addresses innovative strategies for efficient and sustainable last-mile delivery.

At the same time, Julio A. Soria-Lara from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) will present the paper “Assessing Public Acceptability of Low-Emission Zones: Spatial and Individual Perspectives from Madrid, Spain” at Technical Session 6.3 – Infrastructure for Zero Emission Energy Transition (Zero Emission Vehicles) (Room F3) from 16:00 to 17:30 CET. This research paper is authored by Iria Lopez-Carreiro, Raúl F. Elizondo-Candanedo, Miguel L. Navarro-Ligero, María E. López-Lambas, Aldo Arranz-López and Julio A. Soria-Lara.

STA Members will also contribute to several poster sessions throughout TRA 2026:

• Poster Topic 7 – Connected Transport Systems (Room H1)
  “Compliance by Design: Enabling Paperless Border Crossing for Logistics”. Presenter: Jesús Martinez Cuadrado (Etelätär Innovation). Authors: Friederike L. Kühl, José F. Papí Ferrando, Jesús Martinez Cuadrado, Eduardo Becerra, Andrea Mutti, Simone Porru and Eftychia Koliou.

• Poster Topic 12 – Innovative Logistics Solutions (Room H1)
  “Advancing Sustainability in European Logistics: Stakeholders’ Priorities and Challenges from a Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis”. Presenter: José Manuel Vassallo (Technical University of Madrid -UPM). Authors: Natalia Sobrino, Daniela Castaño-Herrera and José Manuel Vassallo.

• Poster Topic 12 – Innovative Logistics Solutions (Room H1)
  “Unlocking Data-Driven Transport and Logistics: Challenges, Opportunities, and Insights from European Initiatives”. Presenter: Mauro Dell'Amico (UNIMORE) Authors: Giulia Renzi, Paulo Cantillano-Lizana, Mauro Dell'Amico, Alexeis Garcia-Perez, Zoe Petrakou and Eftychia Koliou.

• Poster Topic 10 – Greening Freight Transport (Room H1)
  “Comparative Analysis of Green and Low-Carbon Technology Applications in European Union and Chinese Ports: Insights for Global Transferability”. Presenter: Qiang Zhang (University of Anwerp). Authors: Xin Shi, Thierry Vanelslander, Qiang Zhang, Zekun Zhang and Jian Zheng.

• Poster Topic 12 – Innovative Logistics Solutions (Room H1)
  “Perceived Transport Mode Integration and Stakeholder Collaboration”. Presenter: Mylena Cristine Rodrigues de Jesus (University of Antwerp) Authors: Mylena Cristine Rodrigues de Jesus, Felipe Bedoya-Maya, Edwin van Hassel and Thierry Vanelslander.

• Poster Topic 15 – Resilient Transport Systems (Room H1)
  “Resilience in Inland Shipping: A Network Analysis of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor under Global Disruptions”. Presenter: Felipe Bedoya Maya (University of Anwerp). Authors: Felipe Bedoya Maya, Joris Beckers and Edwin van Hassel.

Through its participation in TRA 2026, STA is reinforcing its role as a key player in advancing sustainable, digital, and integrated transport and mobility solutions in Europe and beyond.

Author: Eftychia Koliou (Smart Transportation Alliance)