STA Newsletter
Issue # May 2015
A bi-monthly online journal providing news and background about activities undertaken by STA with a view to improving the methods, technologies and standards associated to transportation infrastructures.
STA General Meeting 2/2015 takes place on 20 May 2015
22 May 2015
The second STA General Meeting of the present year was held last 20 May 2015. STA members reviewed the latest activities of the organisation, confirmed the launch of the new STA publications, the creation of new Technical Sub-Committees and a further involvement of the organisation in international technical conferences.
The General Meeting also served to review the R&D proposals in which the organisation is involved to promote the Smart Transportation Infrastructures across the world.
STA supports civil drones market development across the EU
8 May 2015
The Smart Transportation Alliance (STA) has become a signatory of the Riga Declaration, which draws the main principles for developing a drone services market in Europe. The market development of civil drones has the potential to foster jobs and growth in Europe, particularly within the transportation sector.
For more information on the Riga Declaration, please click here (http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/sign-up/index_en.htm).
2015 STA Annual Innovation Awards: Submit your entry now!
6 May 2015
The STA Annual Innovation Awards Call for Entries is now open and will close next 5 June 2015.
The “STA Annual Innovation Awards” honour global innovators that have decisively contributed to deploying Smart Transportation Infrastructures (“Person of the Year” Category) and to improving the methods, technologies and standards associated to transportation infrastructures (“Best Innovation Solution/Project” Category).
NEWS OF INTEREST
European Bus System of the Future continues its journey!
The project EBSF_2 (European Bus System of the Future 2) will soon begin its journey of continuing the work of its predecessor, the EBSF project. The official Launch Event of the EBSF_2 project will take place on 10th June 2015 in Milan (Italy) during the UITP World Congress & Exhibition.
Air transportation – the critical infrastructure when disaster strikes.
When disaster strikes, air transport is often the only feasible mode of transportation for first responders and urgently needed relief supplies. Following an earthquake, tsunami or hurricane, most roads, rail tracks and even ports become unusable, as they are blocked for days by debris. Airports, on the other hand, are remarkably sustainable and, within hours, usually become operational again.
RB Report: Alternative Funding and Financing Mechanisms for Passenger and Freight Rail Projects.
Transportation Research Board (TRB)'s National Cooperative Rail Research Program (NCRRP) Report 1: Alternative Funding and Financing Mechanisms for Passenger and Freight Rail Projects identifies alternative funding and financing tools that can be used to realize passenger and freight rail project development, including capital investments, operations, and maintenance.
Report: Indian Government needs to improve infrastructure to utilise youth workforce.
By 2020, India is projected to have the world's largest youth workforce of 465 million people at an average age of 29 years, but most of that potential could likely be wasted in a congested, infrastructure-starved country.
H2020 Masterclass: How to develop successful H2020 proposals in the Transport & Energy sectors.
A 2-day intensive learning boot camp (Brussels, 11-12 June 2015) developed to address the needs of professionals seeking education and insights on how to write winning EC-funded R&D proposals.