Latest transport tech on display at Dublin event

The latest cutting-edge technology in the transport sector will be on display at a major conference taking place in Dublin this week.

More than 4,000 people are set to attend Transport Research Arena 2024 (TRA2024) at the RDS which is Europe’s largest transport and mobility research event.

Organisers said the conference will bring a boost worth €7 million to the Irish economy.

The theme of the event is ‘Transport Transitions: Advancing Sustainable and Inclusive Mobility’ and it will see leading researchers and industry figures gather from the public transport, aviation, marine and engineering sectors to discuss the evolving world of mobility.

Representatives from Ireland, the European Commission, UK and US governments as well as global academic leaders will all share insights.

One of the main features of the week’s programme will be the EU Road Safety Conference, which takes place on Tuesday.

TRA2024 will include indoor and outdoor demonstrations of state-of-the-art technology and over 100 scientific and technical presentations and discussions.

Topics include machine learning, autonomous transport, transport apps and the recycling of plastic for transport infrastructure.

The event is being co-hosted by the European Commission and the Department of Transport.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan is President of TRA2024.

“Hosting TRA gives us a great opportunity to showcase our vision and capability to lead the way in creating a sustainable and safe approach to transport,” Mr Ryan said.

“As an island nation, we’re acutely aware of the need to maintain and improve logistical networks, while being increasingly sensitive to the impact on our environment. Transformation in our transport systems is critical to helping us meet our climate obligations,” he added.

Chairperson of the TRA2024 Organising Committee Celine Crawford said the event’s programme offers a look at how transport can evolve.

“As well as a diverse mix of discussions and contributors, our technology demonstrations will offer an incredible glimpse of how we could be moving around in the not-too-distant future,” Ms Crawford said.

TRA2024 runs until Thursday and the keynote speaker at the event’s closing ceremony will be former president of Ireland and Chair of The Elders Mary Robinson.