Research and Innovation Collaboration Pathways: Programming and Policy

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION COLLABORATION PATHWAYS: PROGRAMMING-LEVEL OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND THEMES

Moderators: Jane Amilhat and Gretchen Goldman

Notetaker/Rapporteurs: Tyler Clevenger and Ingrid Skogsmo

General sessions were held with all symposium participants to discuss research and innovation pathways. The first session focused on opportunities, challenges, and themes for programming pathways. The second session addressed strategies, instruments, and tools for policy-level pathways. In both cases, the first part of the session was an open discussion with all participants sharing ideas and experiences. The facilitators and notetakers consolidated the comments during a break and presented a summary to the full group. Additional input was obtained from participants after the summary presentations.

Participants in this session discussed the programming of research and innovation topics addressing decarbonizing the transportation sector. Facilitators Amilhat and Goldman noted that the programming level focused on what could be undertaken, including research collaboration between the European Union and the United States. The next session explored policies on how the collaboration should be accomplished between the European Union and the United States. As summarized in this section, a number of common topics were identified by participants for possible EU and U.S. research and innovation collaboration.

• A major topic area identified by numerous participants was on research and information sharing between the European Union and the United States on the various types of clean fuels, including electric, hydrogen, and sustainable liquid fuels. Issues identified for further research focused on electric bidirectional charging, electric charging infrastructure development and operations, electric charging protocol standards, and integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into the electric grid. Strategies for managing charging, the roles of the public and private sectors, and business models were highlighted as important topics by participants. Addressing these topics associated with passenger vehicles, buses, trucks, and other vehicles was also noted as important by numerous participants. Cooperation among the European Union and the United States on hardware and software technologies and standards for software-defined vehicles was also suggested by numerous participants, especially related to the safety and security of automated and connected driving. Focusing on all types of applications, including shared mobility and freight logistics was noted as important

• by many participants. Considering the circularity of clean vehicle design, manufacturing, operations, and reuse was also suggested by some participants. This topic could address global perspectives as material sourcing, global markets, production facilities, and the potential impact on emerging economies. It was further suggested that examining vehicle materials and design holistically to optimize efficiency could be beneficial. This analysis could include consideration of vehicle size, weight, and other factors.
• Electric batteries represented a related topic that drew interest from numerous participants. Issues suggested for additional research included new technologies and advanced materials beyond lithium-ion, links to critical materials, ethical sourcing of materials, and the circular economy. Other topics focused on battery safety, thermal performance, and testing methods. Developing testing standards and protocols was mentioned by many participants as a needed research focus. Research to develop a digital product passport was suggested to identify the extent batteries are meeting sustainability standards. Relevant sustainability attributes could be identified to evaluate battery products and their closeness to circularity. The same approach could also be used for clean vehicles and other fuels, as well as vehicle size, weight, and other attributes.
• Research focusing on approaches to decarbonize the aviation, maritime, and off-road sectors was noted as important by participants. Working together, the European Union and the United States could examine sustainable fuels for these modes, conduct life-cycle assessments, and collaboration on standards for sustainable liquid fuels. The use of clean fuels with shared, pooled, automated vehicles as public transportation was also discussed.
• The need to expand collaboration with researchers outside the transport sector was suggested by some participants. Engaging experts in the electric grid, automation, and industrial development was noted as important. Outreach to individuals with social science and behavioral science backgrounds was also suggested by participants.
• Participants discussed a wide range of cross-cutting social science and behavioral science research topics. It was noted by some participants that social science research provides a better understanding of the social practices that encourage or inhibit the adoption of clean vehicles, technologies, and changes in modes. Examples of research topics identified by participants included behavioral, cultural, and economic factors that influence mode shifts to buses and public transportation, as well as walking and bicycling. Research exploring the growth in online shopping and home goods delivery was also noted as a need by some participants. Other suggested topics were ensuring that all communities and individuals are treated equitably and that unintended consequences do not occur. Research on best practices in public engagement opportunities was also noted as important. Examining potential impacts of electrification, pricing, and other pathways on low-income communities was highlighted by some participants. Conducting joint social science research projects on these and other topics were discussed, along with sharing experiences and lessons learned.
• Participants noted the important links between transportation, land use, and housing. Research topics related to land use planning and transportation were identified, along with possible pilot projects focusing on the design and development of green communities. Sharing best practices on land use and transportation planning, and examining the application of complete streets, transit-oriented developments, and other approaches were highlighted.
• Participants discussed prioritizing the research topics by the impact that the results might have on emission reductions and decarbonizing the transportation sector. Participants discussed the potential for collaboration between the European Union and the United States and its dependence on numerous factors, including the scope, timing, and funding levels of possible programs and projects.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION COLLABORATION PATHWAYS: POLICY-LEVEL STRATEGIES, INSTRUMENTS, AND TOOLS

Moderators: Ann Shikany and Torsten Klimke

Notetakers/Rapporteurs: Caroline Almeras and Liya Rechtman

Participants in this session discussed different possible cooperative models, or the “how” for collaboration between the European Union and the United States on research and innovation related to decarbonizing the transport sectors. Participants described experience with current methods of coordination and cooperation. They also highlighted new ideas and opportunities for expanding transatlantic research, innovations, and information sharing. Participants noted that there are numerous opportunities to collaborate on sharing information, but that collaborating on actual research projects is more difficult. The discussion was summarized into the following three general categories by the facilitators and notetakers after the initial summary and feedback from all participants. The moderators noted that Briefing Paper 5, “The United States and the European Union: Relevant Policies, Programming, and Collaboration” provides additional information on current collaboration programs. The text of this briefing paper is provided in Appendix F.

Build on Existing Platforms and Methods

Participants discussed several existing organizations, conferences, journals, and other mechanisms that have been used to share information between the United States and the European Union on research and innovation projects. Building on these platforms to expand collaboration was discussed. Examples of potential follow-up activities are highlighted below:

• Continue to coordinate with Transportation Research Board (TRB) activities, including organizing and holding sessions at the TRB Annual Meetings in Washington, DC, on diverse topics related to decarbonizing the transport sector. Convene the symposium participants at the 2025 TRB Annual Meeting for an information-sharing session. Promote sessions at future TRB Annual Meetings and specialized conferences.
• Organize sessions at the biennial Transport Research Arena (TRA) Conferences organized by the European Commission. The next TRA conference is scheduled for May 18–24, 2026, in Budapest, Hungary.
• Pursue possible conferences, workshops, and meetings sponsored by the symposium hosts and other organizations and groups. For example, the University Transportation Centers focusing on climate change and emissions could sponsor conferences and information-sharing events. Other organizations in the United States include the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Public Transportation Association, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the American Planning Association. International organizations include the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the International Association of Public Transport, and the Permanent International Association of Road Congresses.
• Publish in academic journals to continue to present research results relating to decarbonizing the transport sector. Participants discussed approaches to encourage researchers from the United States and the European Union to collaborate on articles as appropriate.
• Publish articles on the symposium and decarbonizing the transportation sector in TRB’s quarterly magazine, TR News, and other organization and agency magazines.
• Develop a PowerPoint presentation on the symposium and provide it to participants and agency staff for use at conferences, workshops, and meetings.
• Distribute the symposium proceedings to diverse stakeholders at the global, national, state, and local levels.
• Use the results of the symposium to develop research need statements and possible projects through traditional EU and U.S. funding sources.
• Use existing programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and other modal agencies to encourage transatlantic partnerships.

Recognizing and Working Within Funding Silos

The second general area of discussion focused on the need to recognize the limitations of funding and the inability of most programs to share funds between the European Union and the United States. In most cases,