Country Overviews

Introduction

Transit traffic and related services are very important for Latvia's national economy and as such are the Government's top priorities.

The majority of transport research in Latvia is carried out within state and private universities, into which the Ministry of Education and Science is currently integrating specialised state research institutes. The Latvian Transport Development and Education Association (LatDEA), an NGO, plays a pivotal coordination role in transport research. LatDEA's main objective is to support the modernisation of Latvia's transport sector, by increasing its research potential and by improving the quality of its academic and training institutions.

The main transport research oriented organisations are:

• Higher education sector: Transport and Telecommunications Institute, Riga Technical University (Aviation Institute, Institute of Road Transport, Institute of Rail Transport, Institute of Transport Machine Technology), Latvian Marine Academy, University of Agriculture of Latvia (Motor Vehicle Institute), Telematics and Logistics Institute, Academic Park;
• Associations: LatDEA, Latvian Operations Research Society.

National research priorities are decided upon by the Cabinet of Ministers. Detailed transport related research is not referred to specifically, but priority areas include:

• Information technology and telematics;
• New materials and associated technologies;
• Environmental protection.

The Ministry of Transport is responsible for the implementation of programmes and the main source of funding for research is the national/ministry budget.

Latvia is also involved in regional research such as the Interreg IIIB programmes InterBaltic (Intermodality and Interoperability in the Baltic Sea Region), Rail Baltica, LogOn Baltic and others.

National Government Departments

Ministry of Transport / LR Satiksmes Ministrija

www.sam.gov.lv

The National Transport Development Programme (1996-2010) / Transporta attistibas nacionalaja programma

A planning document outlining the economic, organisational, institutional and other programmes, planned for the next 15 years. Led by the Ministry of Transport.
www.tsi.lv/?id=755&lang=en&ct=7&r=148

The National Programme on Traffic Safety (Road Traffic Safety Directorate) / Celu drosibas nacionalaja programma

Promotes traffic safety to reduce accidents.

Research Institutes and Associations

Transport and Telecommunication Institute / Transporta un sakaru instituts

Various projects including ITS for logistics, spatial planning, Rail Baltica evaluation, mobility and health, intermodality and interoperability in the Baltic Sea Region, logistics centres, traffic congestion, transport simulation, and urban public transport.
www.tsi.lv

Telematics and Logistics Institute / Telematikas un logistikas instituts

Various projects including transport modelling and tackling traffic congestion.
http://tli.tsi.lv

Latvian Transport Development and Education Association / Latvijas transporta attistibas un izglitibas asociacija

Various projects