Munich has been chosen as the venue for Europe’s leading mobility conference. The 13th Transport Research Arena (TRA) will be held at Messe München from 20 to 23 May 2030. The European Union announced the decision yesterday at this year’s congress in Budapest. TRA is Europe’s largest interdisciplinary platform for research, innovation and political exchange in the transport sector. Held every two years, it brings together key stakeholders from academia, business, industry and politics.
Led by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), a consortium of partners from government, research and industry submitted Munich’s bid to host TRA 2030. The bid was supported by the Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Building and Transport, the City of Munich and its Mobility Department, and the Technical University of Munich with its MCube cluster for the future of mobility. Munich’s selection as host city highlights its central role as an innovation centre in mobility and transport, as well as its strong reputation as a science and research hub. The event also strengthens the standing of the Free State of Bavaria and the state capital Munich as a leading market for sustainable, digital and resilient mobility solutions.
TRA 2030 will focus on current developments, new research findings and joint strategies for future mobility. Munich will use the conference as an opportunity to work alongside international partners in addressing major challenges such as climate action, digitalisation and global competitiveness.
Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister of Transport: “Germany’s selection as the host country for the Transport Research Arena 2030 sends a clear message, highlighting our country’s significance as a global mobility and research hub. TRA 2030 is a central platform that will bring together key stakeholders from science, research, business and politics to jointly shape the future of mobility. Germany, as the host of TRA 2030, represents innovation, technological excellence and the sustainable development of future transport systems”.
Christian Bernreiter, Bavarian State Minister of Housing, Building and Transport: “The Free State of Bavaria is one of Europe’s strongest economic regions and stands for innovation and high-tech in mobility and logistics. This makes Munich the ideal host city for an international and interdisciplinary mobility conference that brings together leading companies, political institutions and vibrant research communities from across Europe. I look forward to engaging discussions and practical examples of sustainable mobility that will make our societies fit for the future. The event will also strengthen Bavaria’s position as a leading European hub for transport technology and mobility solutions!”.
Dominik Krause, Mayor of Munich: “The decision to host TRA 2030 in Munich underlines the city’s reputation as a leading European innovation hub. We’re currently witnessing major technological advances in the transport sector – and we’re on the verge of a breakthrough in autonomous driving. I think it’s important that Munich continues to play a key role in the research and development of these and other technologies. TRA can act as a catalyst for innovation, so I’m delighted that we’ve managed to bring the conference to Munich”.
Professor Thomas F. Hofmann, President of the Technical University of Munich (TUM): “The Transport Research Arena is Europe’s central platform for mobility research. In this context, TUM contributes its exceptional breadth of scientific expertise and international excellence in mobility research. Through MCube, Germany’s largest innovation cluster for sustainable mobility, TUM bridges the gap between research, business, the public sector and civil society. The cluster brings together key stakeholders from all these fields to collaborate on sustainable, intelligent and socially accepted solutions. Thanks to this holistic approach, TUM and MCube will be a major source of momentum for TRA 2030”.
Georg Dunkel, Head of Mobility for the City of Munich: “I’m very pleased that Munich has won the bid for TRA 2030. This is a great opportunity! The conference offers an important platform to discuss and advance innovative solutions to the pressing challenges of our time. Munich is a strong centre for business and research with a modern, integrated and sustainable transport policy. In ‘Mobile Future Munich’ (MZM), we already have an alliance where these areas work closely together. When TRA comes to our city, we’ll be able to bring all of this expertise into the international exchange”.
Dr Christian Scharpf, Head of Labour and Economic Development for the City of Munich: “The Transport Research Arena 2030 will bring global leaders in mobility to Munich. This will strengthen exchange between business and research, creating real opportunities for our companies and start-ups to cooperate and drive innovation. At the same time, Munich will reaffirm its role as a leading hub for future technologies and sustainable mobility”.
For Munich, hosting the conference will open up a wide range of opportunities. It will propel local research institutions, companies and start-ups onto the global stage, and it is also expected to build important momentum for investment, value creation and the recruitment of skilled professionals from around the world.
Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel, Managing Directors of Messe München: “With its strong infrastructure and global connectivity, Messe München is the perfect venue for an event of this scale. TRA 2030 will facilitate exchange between research, industry and politics at the highest level and further strengthen Munich’s position as one of Europe’s leading trade fair locations and innovation hubs”.
