The MODI delegation participated extensively in the Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026 conference in Budapest, one of Europe’s leading events for transport research and innovation, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and innovation stakeholders shaping the future of mobility and logistics across Europe.
Throughout the event, MODI contributed to strategic discussions on the future deployment of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) solutions in logistics, showcasing early findings and lessons learned from its real pilot activities and operational demonstrations across Europe.
The participation at TRA 2026 marked an important moment for the project as MODI transitions from the Communication & Dissemination phase focused on “Unlocking Key Findings” towards the final stages of exploitation, legacy building and contribution to upcoming large-scale CCAM initiatives and future deployment readiness in European logistics chains.
MODI was represented through exhibition activities, strategic roundtable discussions and technical presentations delivered by several project partners, highlighting the project’s contribution to understanding the current maturity, opportunities and remaining barriers linked to automation in logistics operations.
🚛 MODI showcased within the ALICE Logistics Innovation neighbourhood
MODI participated at TRA 2026 with its own exhibition presence within the ALICE Logistics Innovation neighbourhood and “Automation Innovation” area, coordinated on-site by IN-MOVE.
The stand showcased the project’s latest developments, dissemination materials and first audiovisual beta materials from MODI’s real demonstrations and pilot activities. Visitors had the opportunity to engage directly with project representatives and discuss automation deployment challenges, infrastructure readiness, interoperability and lessons learned from real operational environments.
The exhibition activities attracted strong interest from stakeholders across the logistics, mobility and CCAM ecosystems, reinforcing the growing relevance of automation in logistics operations within Europe’s transport innovation agenda.
Members of the MODI delegation at MODI’s booth at TRA 2026.
The booth also provided an opportunity to present how MODI contributes to bridging the gap between research, demonstrations and future deployment readiness by generating practical insights from real logistics operations along the Rotterdam–Oslo corridor and the project’s confined operational use cases.
🌍 Strategic discussions on automation in logistics
MODI coordinator ITS Norway participated in the ALICE Logistics Innovation Theatre session:
“Automation in Logistics: where we stand – evidence from Horizon Europe projects towards end-to-end adoption by the AUTOMOTIF, AUTOSUP, MODI and SEAMLESS projects”
The roundtable discussion focused on the current state of automation in logistics and how Horizon Europe projects are contributing to future deployment and scalability of automated logistics solutions across Europe.
Discussions addressed:
- deployment readiness
- infrastructure and digital preparedness
- operational barriers
- interoperability challenges
- lessons learned from demonstrations
- contribution of Horizon Europe projects towards future large-scale implementation
The session highlighted the importance of collaboration across the logistics ecosystem and the need to continue building practical experience through real demonstrations and operational testing environments.
ITS Norway, Project Coordinator, participating in the roundtable organised by ALICE.
The discussions further reinforced MODI’s role as one of Europe’s flagship projects contributing practical insights and recommendations towards the progressive deployment of CCAM in logistics.
⚙️ MODI represented in TRA strategic and technical sessions
MODI partners also contributed to TRA’s official programme through strategic and technical sessions addressing connected and automated mobility deployment challenges.
MODI partner Einride participated in:
“Strategic session 4.1 – Integration of automated and connected vehicles in the transport system”
The session explored how automation and connectivity can transform the transport of people and goods in Europe by improving safety, sustainability, capacity and inclusiveness.
Discussions covered both the technical and socio-economic challenges linked to the integration of automated vehicles into transport systems, including future mobility and logistics services. Cross-sector and cross-modal collaboration across road, rail, air and waterborne transport was also addressed, together with the next steps required to support large-scale implementation and deployment of connected and automated mobility solutions in Europe.
Pia Wijk (Einride) joined speakers from BMW, Siemens Mobility, SESAR JU, Damen and DG RTD in discussing the future integration of automated and connected transport systems.
EINRIDE participating in the Sstrategic session on automated and connected transport systems.
MODI was also represented in the technical programme through SINTEF’s participation in:
“Technical session 6 / Special session 5 – Modeling and testing connected transport solutions (Connected Transport Systems)”
Within the session, the presentation:
“Assessing the L4 readiness of the corridor from Rotterdam-Oslo”
shared insights from MODI’s work on evaluating infrastructure and operational readiness for highly automated logistics operations along the Rotterdam–Oslo corridor.
The presentation addressed topics such as:
- connectivity reliability
- GNSS positioning
- lane marking interpretation
- digital infrastructure
- cross-border operational challenges
The findings contribute to a better understanding of the current maturity and remaining barriers linked to future deployment of highly automated freight transport across Europe.
SINTEF presenting MODI findings on the L4 readiness of the Rotterdam–Oslo corridor.
📈 From first findings towards future deployment readiness
The participation at TRA 2026 confirmed the increasing momentum around automation in logistics and the growing importance of real pilot activities to support future deployment across Europe.
Through its corridor activities and operational demonstrations, MODI continues contributing practical insights on:
- infrastructure readiness
- operational integration
- cross-border interoperability
- logistics workflows
- stakeholder cooperation
- deployment conditions for CCAM in freight transport
As the project advances into its final phase, the focus increasingly shifts towards exploitation of results, dissemination of lessons learned and contribution to upcoming large-scale CCAM projects and future deployment initiatives in Europe.
The first audiovisual materials from MODI demonstrations presented during TRA 2026 also marked an important step towards making the project’s operational experiences more accessible to stakeholders, policymakers and the broader public.
📍 Looking ahead: MODI Final Event in Antwerp
The MODI consortium is already preparing its Final Event, which will take place in Antwerp on 15–16 September 2026, bringing together project partners, policymakers, industry representatives and the broader CCAM and logistics community.
The event will feature:
- project results and lessons learned
- discussions on deployment readiness
- networking activities
- live demonstrations during the Autonomous Summit at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges
👉 Pre-registration is already open here: MODI Final Event Registration
Please note that, due to the limited number of seats, final confirmation of attendance will be communicated by email.
Further information about the programme and activities will be announced soon.
Don’t miss MODI promotional video on YouTube and also available on MODI’s official website.
Stay tuned for further updates on our ongoing initiatives as the MODI consortium continues to expand global partnerships and drive innovation in the CCAM arena. For more information about the project and its developments, please join our Newsletter, and keep following MODI on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).