Country Overviews
LITHUANIA
IntroductionNational Government Departments and Institutions
Research Institutions | Other Organisations
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Introduction
Due to Lithuania’s geographic location, the transport sector, particularly freight transit and logistics services, plays an important role in the country’s economy.
The majority of transport research is carried out in state higher education institutions and in state research institutes. Within higher education institutions, research is conducted by independent research units (laboratories, centres, institutes) and within faculties and departments.
The main transport research oriented organisations are:
- State-owned higher education sector: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Transport Research Institute and Competence centre of Intermodal Transport and Logistics); Kaunas University of Technology (Institute of Transport Problems – public transport); and Klaipeda University (Faculty of Marine Technology);
- Government/business sector: Transport and Road Research Institute (a research state enterprise under the Ministry of Transport and Communications).
Others include the private entities, such as consulting firms and research centres.
National research policies in general are developed and implemented by the Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Education and Science in cooperation with the Science Council of Lithuania. The main source of funding for research is the national/ministry budget.
Transport research policies are partly implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Communication by the Calls for Research Tenders. The main source of funding for research is the ministry budget.
Support to research policy (including transport) implementation also comes from the Agency for International Science and Technology Development Programmes in Lithuania. A significant part of transport research policies are formed on the basis of increasing involvement in EU and international research programmes and internationally recognised research, as well as engaging in research which addresses the needs of Lithuanian society.
National Government Departments and Institutions
Ministry of Transport and Communications / Susisiekimo ministerija
Ministry of Education and Science / Svietimo ir mokslo ministerija
Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation / Lietuvos Valstybinis Mokslo ir Studiju Fondas
Established by the Government in 1993 with the aim of implementing state policy in the field of science and studies through administration of funding, ensuring its effective use, fostering development and advancement of science and studies, and accelerating application of modern technologies.
Agency for International Science and Technology Development Programmes in Lithuania / Tarptautiniu mokslo ir technologiju pletros programu agentura
National Transport Research Programme until 2012 / Nacionaline transporto tyrimu programa iki 2012 metu
Research of different transport modes. Programme developed and implemented within the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, in line with the Long-term Strategy (until 2025) of Lithuanian Transport System Development. Duration: ongoing. Funded by the University.
VITMOS - Mobile Decisions for Public Information and Transport (2003-2006) / VITMOS - Viesosios informacijos ir transporto mobilus sprendimai
ITS research for transport. Completed by Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Funded by Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation.
Lithuanian Transport Research Work Programme until 2013 (2009-2013, proposed) / Lietuvos transporto moksliniu tyrimu programa iki 2013
Programme prepared by Lithuanian Technology Platform of Intermodal Transport (LITTP) in 2008. LITTP is a joint action of representatives of the main transport business, research and governmental (public) institutions. LITTP established in 2007. Programme duration 2009-2013. Funding is awaited.
Research Institutes
The main transport research institutes in Lithuania are university-based, and include the Transport Research Institute ( www.tmi.vgtu.lt) and the Competence Centre of Intermodal Transport and Logistics (www.ccitl.vgtu.lt/en/?id=10168.12510), both within Vilnius Gediminas University, and also the Insitute of Transport Problems (http://internet.ktu.lt/en/scriptas1.asp?meniu=virsus1.html&pirmas=kut/menu.html&antras=kut/institut/instinfo.html) within Kaunas University of Technology.
Other Organisations
The following state owned transport service providers commission research and consulting projects on an ad-hoc basis:
