Country Overviews
Introduction
The central entity responsible for coordination of RTD programmes in Malta is the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST). The RTD activities of the MCST are governed by Malta's participation in the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), in which the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) is also involved.
In addition, the MCST launched the National RTDI Programme in 2004, which is now the National R&I programme.
Besides MCST, there are four major organisations which are involved with different aspects of transport research: the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), the Ministry of Health, and university departments. The main institution involved in carrying out transport research projects is the University of Malta. The Public Transport Authority has a research and development department which is also involved to some degree in transport research.
National Government Departments and Agencies
Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications (MITC) / Ministeru ghall-Infrastruttura, Trasport u Kommunikazzjoni
Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) / Kunsill Malta ghax-Xjenza u Teknologú ija
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) / Ghall-bniedem u l-ambjent
Ministry of Health (MoH) / Ministeru tas-Sahha
MITC and MEPA
Activities include a programme directed to the development of a proper interaction of transport and land-use policies and the setting up of an air quality measurement network.
Ministry of Health
Activities include an ongoing investigation into the causes of major traffic accidents, carried out by the University in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The MoH is also working with the MEPA in an investigation on the epidemiology of diseases that can be connected with traffic emissions.
National Research and Innovation (R&I) Programme
Aimed at stimulating and building a culture for sustained scientific research and innovation activity. Bi-annual programme (2004, 2006 and 2008), no transport projects in the first phases but can potentially be included in the programme.
