Country Overviews
Introduction
The principal authorities in the field of transport research in Iceland are the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Icelandic Road Administration (ICERA), Civil Aviation Administration, ISAVIA and Icelandic Maritime Administration. Consultative bodies include Rann’s (the Icelandic Centre for Research), University of Icelaand, Reykjavik University, Innovation Centre Iceland and Public Works of the Municipality of Reykjavik. No private transport research institute exists, but some transport specialists are found within private consultancy firms. These mainly take part in research, through contracts with the transport authorities.
Research funds are provided for both short-term tasks and long-term programmes.
Medium and long-term research programmes and projects are defined jointly, by different organisations. Priorities are directed towards the long-term goals that have been put forward by the Government, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the transport agencies. Emphasis has been put on the following areas:
- Intermodal / Multimodal transport
- Strategic research
- Maritime transport
- Transport in sparsely populated areas
- Traffic in cold climates
- Air traffic management.
The research focus in Iceland is somewhat different from other countries but the priorities are generally in agreement with European priorities. Iceland's harsh climate, natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, floods and avalanches, as well as the fact that the road system in many regions is still not highly developed, have influenced the research tasks selected. Being a sparsely populated island, Iceland's priorities are less directed towards inter-state networks, congestion, urban traffic and large-scale environmental problems. There is, however, an interest in increasing European cooperation throughout the transport sector.
National Government Departments
Ministry of Communication (in charge of Transport)
Road Traffic Directorate
Icelandic Maritime Administration / Siglingastofnun íslands
Includes research on ship and crew safety and on harbours.
www.sigling.is/Pages/814
Icelandic Road Administration (ICERA)
Includes research into road construction and engineering, traffic, the environment and society issues related to road transport.
www.vegagerdin.is/um-vegagerdina/rannsoknir-og-throun/
