Country Overviews
Introduction
In Estonia, transport research is mainly financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Transportation and the administrations under its control, e.g. the Estonian Road Administration. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Education also provide funding on a smaller scale, for transport related programmes. International funding is provided by the European Union.
The main transport research oriented organisations are universities and consulting organisations; such as Stratum Consulting, Tallinn University of Technology with its Road Technology Unit, and the Technology Research and Development Centre of the Estonian Road Administration (Maanteeamet).
Research within the sector can be divided into national programmes, sector programmes (task oriented), regional programmes and ad-hoc research oriented projects.
The priorities for research are as follows:
- Development of the Estonian transport system: networks and infrastructure, intermodality, development of legal and business environment, harmonisation with EU legal and technical requirements, how to support national development and equal service conditions;
- Development of modes, e.g. air, development of business;
- Task oriented: environmental protection, energy saving, traffic safety, road asset management and maintenance;
- Regional programmes.
These include three or four large scale transport oriented programmes, reflecting the fact that the road sector is at the heart of Estonian transport related research and development.
National Government Departments and Agencies
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications / Majandus-ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium
Ministry of the Environment / Keskkonnaministeerium
Estonian Road Administration / Maanteeamet
Estonian Regional Development Agency / EAS Regionaalarengu Agentuur
Estonian National Programme for Road Safety 2003-2010 / Eesti Rahvuslik Liiklusohutusprogramm 2003-2010
Led by the Estonian Road Administration.
Long Term Programme for Road Management (2002-2010) / Pikaajaline teehoiu kava aastateks (2002-2010)
Estonian Road Administration programme, covering all areas of road management, including new construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
Transport Development Plan 1999-2006 / Transpordi arengukava aastateks 1999-2006 (Lisa1)
Led by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Transportation.
Estonian Aviation Development Plan 2000-2006 / Eesti Lenneunduse riiklik arengukava aastateks 2000-2006
Led by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Transportation.
