The ERA-NET TRANSPORT - how to reach European Research Area (ERA) in transport research

One of the main aims of the ERA-NET TRANSPORT is to develop, implement and test the model procedures and guidelines for co-operation, co-ordination and funding between national transport research programs, as well as develop model procedure for setting up transport research strategies and programs open for cross-national co-operation. Currently the ENT consortium tries to develop model procedures for co-operation within the consortium which might lead to elements for co-operation guidelines. Three essential pre-requisites have to be fulfilled before opening up national transport research programs. Firstly there has to be interest in other national programs. Secondly trust between the decision- and policy makers has to be arisen, and thirdly commitment between the actors has to be achieved before joint funding can take place. Furthermore one definite interrelationship within this complex area is obvious for us: the growth from a platform to a distinct network character. This means on one hand the track from a policy co-operation platform to a policy network and on the other hand the way to the implementation of particular thematic innovation networks. In our opinion a network is a specific kind of institutional arrangement based on a high level of commitment and trust. A network relates strongly on a participative and deliberative internal negotiation system. Trans-national co-ordination and co-operation of transport research programs can only be achieved in future if strong emphasis will be set in the involvement of program owners and -managers of national umbrella programs, as well as in the involvement of existing bi- and tri- lateral research programs. Maybe these efforts will lead to separate program-lines within a national umbrella program which will be open for trans-national transport research (A). For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E212343.