BUDAPEST – The Permanent Secretariat of the Transport Community organised a workshop on Bridging Research and Innovation in the Western Balkans and EU Neighbouring Regions on 19 May 2026 in Budapest, back-to-back with its 23rd Road Technical Committee.
Organised within the Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026 in Budapets, the event brought together representatives of public institutions, universities and transport experts to discuss how research, innovation and digital tools can help create safer, smarter and more sustainable transport systems across the region.
The workshop was opened by Mr Matej Zakonjšek, Director of the Transport Community Permanent Secretariat, and Máté Verdes, Head of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Department at Hungarian Public Roads and Chair of the Management Committee of TRA 2026.
The discussions focused on how new ideas, research and technology can help people travel more safely, receive better information and benefit from more efficient transport services.
Participants exchanged views on ongoing innovation projects in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability and smarter road management. They also discussed the main challenges facing the Western Balkans and the Transport Community’s observing participants, including limited resources, lack of specialised skills and the need for stronger cooperation between public authorities, universities and the private sector.
On the other hand, the 23rd Road Technical Committee focused on practical cooperation with universities, ongoing technical assistance and progress in road sector reforms. The Transport Community presented updates on support related to multimodal travel information systems, which can help passengers plan journeys using different modes of transport, as well as work linked to alternative fuels infrastructure, such as charging and refuelling networks for cleaner vehicles.
Participants also heard from Hungarian Public Roads about the deployment of intelligent transport systems in Hungary and discussed what lessons could be useful for the Western Balkans and observing participants.
The meeting concluded with updates on the implementation of EU transport rules, the Road Action Plan and the development of the extended European transport network in the Western Balkans, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
