Event Summary: 2026 iRAP Innovation Workshop and TRA Budapest

iRAP was proud to host our 11th iRAP Innovation Workshop showcasing world-leading R&D in Budapest last week in association with Transport Research Arena (TRA2026).

What a busy week it was! From the 1-day Innovation Workshop focussed on Future Ready Roads; to showcasing European Commission-funded research projects driving new insights for safer, more inclusive mobility; our booth in the TRA exhibition and the iRAP Innovation Dinner; to bilateral meetings with key partners – it was a pleasure to see old and new faces and share the amazing work of our partners and programme across the world.

TRA, held this year from 18-21 May, is Europe’s biggest transport conference attracting over 3,000 participants and 100 exhibitors from across the world drawn from industry, government, transport operators, financing institutions, academia and civil society. With the theme “ReGeneration in Transport”, TRA2026 explored challenges facing the global transport sector, new solutions and business models, and latest research and developments in mobility and transport.

The iRAP Innovation Workshop

iRAP’s one-day Innovation Workshop was a high-energy, thought-provoking forum on 20 May drawing 100 road safety leaders and experts working at the cutting edge to create “Future Ready Roads for Safe, Sustainable Mobility”.

Innovation and collaboration will be key to promoting safe, inclusive, green and efficient transportation systems in the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026-2035. Momentum must also continue to drive progress in the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 which aims to halve global road deaths and injuries by 2030.

Presentations and panel discussions explored cutting edge innovation and practical experience driving evidence-based technologies, policy, financing and systems for a world free of high-risk roads.  By integrating cutting-edge technology, expert insights and global learnings, world-leading solutions are empowering safer, more resilient roads in the face of rapid global urbanisation.

iRAP launched Star Rating Model Version 3.10 during the event, the latest update to its flagship methodology which has supported road safety assessments in 140 countries. The new model update is a major leap forward for evidence-based road safety investment, offering stronger protection for vulnerable road users and improved sensitivity to safety gains.

Using the iRAP methodology, road safety infrastructure changes and safer speeds have prevented 860,000 deaths and serious injuries globally since 2016.

Reflecting on the event, iRAP CEO Greg Smith said, “iRAP is working with European and global partners to support evidence-based policy, investment, and action to eliminate high-risk roads. New tools and methods, including AI-based solutions like AiRAP, are enhancing network-wide road safety assessments and risk analysis, helping partners to optimise their decisions and road assets at scale. Safety approaches focussed on vulnerable road users are being tested in real-world living labs, and data combined in clear, actionable formats are informing safer, more resilient, and inclusive transport networks for people of all ages and abilities.

“In Europe, action is guided by the EU road safety policy framework and the Vision Zero ambition to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries by 2050, with a 50 per cent reduction target by 2030.

“Innovation and collaboration will be vital to the future of smart and sustainable mobility. We’re really proud to be working with the European Commission and 38,000 partners across the world to innovate and optimise road safety in the transport sector.”

Programme and Speakers

Download the Programme

In addition to enlightening panel discussions, seven focussed presentations shared the latest developments in iRAP and partner tools. You are welcome to download and peruse them:

• The next generation of iRAP software, ViDA 2.0 James Bradford Global Technical Director, iRAP
• Improving risk assessment for vulnerable road users: New Star Rating model 3.10 Monica Olyslagers Global Innovation Manager and Safe Cities Specialist, iRAP
• The Route Review Tool for user defined investment planning Emma Timson Senior Policy Advisor – Road Safety, National Highways UK (video recording)
• Is CycleRAP reaching its limits? Marc Figuls CEO, Lane Patrol
• Safer school journeys with Star Rating for Schools Minh Vo Sustainable Mobility Coordinator, iRAP
• Austroads AusRAP National Dashboard Rob McInerney Chief of Future Impact, iRAP on behalf of Alan Rushworth, Austroads

Showcasing iRAP Innovation in the Exhibition

Latest research and tools were on show at the iRAP and the European Institute of Road Assessment (EIRA) booth in the TRA exhibition. This included current innovation projects funded by the European Commission and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI):

• PHOEBE – Predictive approaches for safer urban environments with 11 partners in three pilot cities
• ELABORATOR – Designing sustainable urban mobility towards climate-neutral cities with 38 partners in 12 pilot cities
• IVORY –  AI for Vision Zero in road safety industrial doctorates network with 23 partners for global impact
• CAMBER – Connected and Adaptive Maintenance for Safer Urban and Secondary Roads with 14 partners in five pilot cities.

Associated activities

ISO/TC 241 Liaison Meeting

It was a pleasure during TRA2026 to join the ISO/TC 241 Liaison Meeting. iRAP as a charity is collaborating with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee and TC241 under the leadership of Young-Jun MOON in developing ISO 39005 as a standardized framework for classifying and assessing the safety level of road infrastructure. We’re excited to see how the iRAP 3-star or better global standard, eliminating high-risk roads in 140 countries, can support the committee in developing ISO 39005 for safe roads and streets for all.

Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) featured in the Poster Exhibition with a poster on “Macro-to-Meso Analysis of Pedestrian Safety: Literature Insights about Pedestrian Crash Risk in School Zones”. Pictured below: iRAP’s Sustainable Mobility Coordinator and SR4S Lead Minh Vo at the poster.

Photo and video highlights

See the week’s photo highlights 

Hear other reflections from our team:

The iRAP and EIRA team with our FIA Foundation and KazRAP friends. From left to right: Marko Sevrovic, Olivera Rozi, Rafaela Machado (Programme Manager, FIA Foundation), Rob McInerney, Judy Williams, Monica Olyslagers, Minh Vo, James Bradford and Arystan Massanov (KazRAP lead and Director of the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute for Road Safety)