IRF Contributes to Key Mobility and Road Safety Discussions at TRA 2026
18 - 21 May 2026 | Budapest, Hungary - The Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026, Europe’s flagship conference for transport research and innovation, convened leading voices from academia, industry, policymaking and civil society to advance the future of mobility. This year’s edition showcased emerging technologies, collaborative research and next-generation solutions shaping safer, smarter and more resilient transport systems.
The International Road Federation (IRF) attended, contributing to key discussions around automated mobility, workforce development and cooperative transport systems. Representing IRF, Project Manager Iona Kirkpatrick presented work from the Horizon Europe-funded iEXODDUS EU Project, highlighting how resilient Operational Design Domain (ODD) extension can accelerate the safe deployment of automated mobility across Europe.
Her presentation, Enabling Resilient ODD Extension in Automated Mobility, examined one of the core barriers facing Automated Driving Systems (ADS): limited performance in complex urban environments, road work zones, tunnels and other GNSS-denied conditions where conventional localisation systems become unreliable.
Through the iEXODDUS EU Project framework, researchers are advancing a multi-sensor localisation approach that combines LiDAR-based mapping, landmark recognition, infrastructure-assisted positioning and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies to strengthen vehicle awareness and positioning under degraded conditions. By fusing these systems, iEXODDUS aims to extend the operational boundaries of Level 3+ automated vehicles while improving safety, reliability and interoperability.
The presentation spotlighted three real-world use cases currently being explored through iEXODDUS:
- Navigating GNSS-denied environments, including tunnels and urban canyons, where alternative localisation methods can support safe transitions between GNSS and non-GNSS positioning systems.
- Navigating road works, addressing how roadside units, connectivity and real-time infrastructure data can help automated vehicles safely interpret temporary road configurations.
- Navigating accident and incident zones, enabling vehicles to better understand disruptions, lane closures and hazards through cooperative infrastructure and connected systems.
Together, these demonstrations underline the importance of resilient localisation, infrastructure-assisted perception and standardised governance frameworks in enabling Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) at scale.
Alongside Iona’s participation, IRF Senior Advisor Brendan Halleman engaged in several strategic discussions throughout TRA week. He joined IRF member PASS+CO at their stand and participate in the workshop Future Skills for Europe’s Road Infrastructure Sector, convened by the Conference of European Directors of Roads, contributing to discussions on workforce capacity, skills development and future readiness across the road sector.
He also attended the General Assembly of the Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility Association, where stakeholders will discuss the future direction of cooperative and automated mobility initiatives in Europe, before joining the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) Workshop focused on advancing road safety innovation.
As transport systems continue to evolve, TRA 2026 provides an important platform to strengthen collaboration across research, policy and practice.
IRF Joins iEXODDUS Partners at General Assembly in San Sebastián
7 May | San Senastián, Spain - The International Road Federation (IRF) continued advancing its work on connected and automated mobility through participation in the 3rd General Assembly of the iEXODDUS EU Project. Representing IRF, Head of Data, Programmes and Knowledge, Julia Funk joined project partners and stakeholders at a key stage in the initiative’s development as the project enters its second year.
Hosted by Ceit Research Center, the General Assembly brought together the iEXODDUS consortium for two days of technical discussions, collaboration and strategic alignment. Following a productive first day, partners continued reviewing progress across Work Packages, with discussions centred on technical integration, implementation priorities and next steps for the project.
The Assembly highlighted significant technical progress achieved across the consortium, spanning technical requirements, dedicated traffic datasets, resilient Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving (AD) solutions, infrastructure digital twins, validation planning and standardisation activities. As iEXODDUS moves further into its second year, the focus is increasingly shifting toward integrating these technologies into future ADAS and automated driving systems, with particular attention to robustness in challenging real-world conditions and changing Operational Design Domains (ODDs).
At the core of iEXODDUS is a response to one of automated mobility’s most persistent barriers: the limitations of ODDs. Current automated systems remain constrained by sensor performance, behavioural prediction gaps and inconsistent reliability in complex environments. These limitations continue to restrict wider deployment and large-scale adoption.
To address these constraints, iEXODDUS is advancing infrastructure-enabled intelligence designed to extend ODD frameworks and strengthen automated driving systems. This includes improvements in perception algorithms and the development of digital twin technologies that provide real-time contextual awareness of road environments. The objective is to enable automated vehicles to operate more safely and effectively across a broader range of conditions.
The initiative brings together 14 partners, including Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH and Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, alongside IRF in a collaborative effort to accelerate infrastructure-supported automation solutions through aligned research, policy and operational expertise.
IRF’s contribution to the project has also been reflected in recent international engagement. At the ITS European Congress 2026, Iona Kirkpatrick presented findings from iEXODDUS, highlighting how intelligent infrastructure, including roadside sensing systems, digital twins and real-time data services, can strengthen the operational capabilities of automated vehicles and address key reliability and safety gaps.
The General Assembly also provided an opportunity for partners to align ahead of the upcoming European Union review meeting in July, where the consortium will present recent technical achievements and collaborative progress to the European Commission and project stakeholders.
A sincere thank you to Ceit Research Center for hosting the meeting in San Sebastián and for the insightful laboratory tour, which gave consortium partners the opportunity to explore ongoing research activities and innovation facilities firsthand.
IRF Talks Infrastructure-Supported Automation at ITS European Congress 2026
27 - 29 April 2026 | Türkiye, Instanbul - The International Road Federation (IRF) is actively contributing to the conversation on the future of connected and automated mobility at the ITS European Congress 2026, where transport experts, policymakers and technology leaders are meeting to advance innovation in intelligent transport systems.
Representing IRF at the congress, Project Manager Iona Kirkpatrick is participating in a series of technical sessions focused on the infrastructure requirements needed to support safer and more reliable automated mobility systems.
As part of IRF’s participation, Iona delivered a presentation during the Special Interest Session on Infrastructure-supported Automated Mobility, where she shared insights from iEXODDUS, an IRF-supported European project working to improve the interaction between infrastructure and automated vehicles. The presentation highlighted how intelligent infrastructure, which includes roadside sensors, digital twins and real-time contextual data, that can help extend the operational capabilities of automated vehicles, improving safety, efficiency and resilience across transport networks.
In addition to presenting, Iona also joined the panel discussion on “Next-generation roadside sensing ecosystems for autonomous-ready infrastructure", which explored how infrastructure systems can provide the real-time awareness needed for automated vehicles to safely navigate increasingly complex environments.
She is also joining a panel titled “From infrastructure intelligence to safer automation: ODD extension, edge-AI stacks, standardised road condition services and multimodal orchestration”, where experts examined the technologies and collaborative frameworks required to support automated mobility at scale. These discussions addressed the importance of reliable roadside intelligence, interoperable standards and coordinated infrastructure services in enabling the next generation of connected transport.
IRF’s presence in these discussions reflects its continued commitment to shaping practical, scalable solutions for automated mobility, bringing together infrastructure operators, researchers and industry stakeholders to address the challenges of deployment and standardisation.
A central part of this work is iEXODDUS, a European initiative focused on extending the Operational Design Domains (ODDs) of connected and automated vehicles through infrastructure support. By integrating real-time road data, digital infrastructure services and harmonised communication standards, the project aims to create safer and more adaptive mobility systems while helping road authorities prepare for the demands of automation.
Through its participation at ITS European Congress 2026, IRF is reinforcing the role of infrastructure as a critical enabler of automated mobility and ensuring that the voice of road operators remains central in the development of future transport systems.
iEXODDUS Showcases the Role of Connected Infrastructure in Road Safety at Intertraffic Amsterdam
On 11 March 2026, the iEXODDUS project was presented at Intertraffic Amsterdam during the session “Connected Infrastructure and Vehicles: The Next Frontier in Road Safety”, held at the Road Safety Stage. The session brought together experts from European research initiatives and industry to discuss how connected vehicles and smart infrastructure are reshaping road safety and enabling more responsive transportation systems.
Moderated by Brendan Halleman, Senior Advisor at the International Road Federation (IRF), the session featured contributions from several initiatives working on connected and cooperative mobility, including EvoRoads, iEXODDUS, PoDIUM, and Miovision. Speakers explored real-world applications of connected infrastructure, the challenges associated with implementation, and the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing safer mobility systems.
Representing the project, Iona Kirkpatrick, EU Project Manager at the International Road Federation, presented the iEXODDUS project and its work on extending the Operational Design Domains (ODDs) of automated vehicles. The presentation explored how connected infrastructure and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication can support automated vehicles in navigating complex environments where automation still faces limitations in GNSS-denied areas such as tunnels, road works, or incident zones. By improving localisation, infrastructure sensors, and connectivity, iEXODDUS aims to reduce the need for driver takeovers and enable safer automated driving under challenging road conditions.
Are the safety benefits of connected mobility reaching all road users?
During the panel discussion, Iona Kirkpatrick highlighted the growing evidence that connected infrastructure and V2X systems can contribute to improved road safety outcomes, particularly by supporting the extension of Operational Design Domains and reducing the need for handovers between automated systems and human drivers in complex environments. At the same time, she noted that these benefits are currently largely concentrated in highly automated vehicles available in specific market segments, meaning they are not yet evenly distributed across all road users.
Looking ahead, she emphasised the importance of ensuring that the technologies being developed — including those explored in iEXODDUS — are also implemented, in the future, in public transport vehicles, helping to ensure broader sections of society benefit from the safety improvements evidenced by connected mobility.
Advancing automated transport systems across Europe
IRF is pushing to enable resilient Operational Design Domains (ODDs) for automated driving systems across Europe’s diverse transport networks to support projects such as Augmented Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (ACCAM) and iEXODDUS.
ACCAM, coordinated by the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL), consists of a multi-stakeholder Consortium of 26 Partners, from 12 European countries and one Associated partner from Switzerland, the International Road Federation (IRF).
iEXODDUS, on the other hand, is co-Funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme (GA No. 101146091) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). iEXODDUS, coordinated by Virtual Vehicle (ViF), consists of a multi-stakeholder Consortium of 14 Partners, from 5 European countries and one Associated partner from Switzerland, the IRF.
Automated transport systems
ODD touches on areas such as Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs), future mobility, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), resilient autonomous driving, smart infrastructure, mobility innovation and much more.
IRF is leading conversations around the links between global navigation satellite systems (GNSS)-denied localisation, Digital Twin integration, open standards and governance models.
As a global road transport leader, the IRF is also exploring essential elements towards scaling Automated Vehicles (AVs) beyond pilot zones into mainstream deployment using policy recommendations and roadmaps towards harmonised Physical and Digital Infrastructure (PDI) for large-scale CCAM deployment.
ODD Extension for Automated Driving
The ODD defines the conditions under which an Automated Driving System (ADS) can operate safely. ADS are currently limited by strictly defined ODDs, often excluding challenging environments such as tunnels, urban canyons and construction zones.
The objective is to extend ODD boundaries so that they become a foundation for safer, more inclusive and compatible autonomous mobility across Europe. Without the reliable localisation and harmonisation frameworks, AVs risk being confined to narrow use cases.
GNSS-denied Localisation
Today’s AVs depend heavily on GNSS for positioning, however safety is compromised in areas where signals become blocked or distorted. To address this, IRF is also supporting the iEXODDUS project, an initiative that introduces multi-sensor localisation which blends camera-based mapping for high-precision navigation, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) anchors for tunnel and urban environments, HD maps and digital twins for environmental awareness and map-less perception modes for dynamic, unmapped roads.
This layered approach ensures resilience and redundancy which allows vehicles to maintain safe positioning when GNSS is unavailable.
Digital Twins in AV Deployment
Digital twin architecture provides real-time, high-fidelity models for road infrastructure. By harmonising these across Europe, ADS can be seamlessly integrated into high-definition maps to enable cross-border interoperability and real-time safety validation.
The EU has already recognised the importance of Digital Twins in mobility as part of its Annual Union Work Programme for Standardisation. The next step is ensuring that AV-specific standards for Digital Twins support simulation testing and live operational deployment.
ODD Extensions for Europe’s CCAM Strategy
Resilient localisation and harmonised standards are key enablers for extending the ODD of automated vehicles.
These efforts have a direct impact on the reduction of road traffic accidents, deployment in environments such as city centres and cross-border corridors, assurance of seamless AV operation across Europe and transparent governance which includes clear liability structures.
The expected outcome is a Recommendation Catalogue that will be submitted to the CCAM Platform Association to support feedback to policy makers and regulators with a view to substantiating deployment topics and implementation of large CCAM initiatives.
These recommendations aim to guide industry, regulators, and cities in shaping resilient CCAM ecosystems.
Sharing the results
Writers Iona Kirkpatricka, Karin Baier-Müllerb, Selim Solmazc, Martin Kirchengastc, Jakob Reckenzaunc will present a paper on these recommendations during Q1 of 2026 at the Transport Research Arena (TRA 2026) Conference.
The TRA 2026 is the foremost European Conference on Transport and Mobility gathering researchers, industry professionals, public authorities and other stakeholders from all transport modes to share knowledge, foster collaboration and address challenges and opportunities in the transport and mobility sectors.
The paper will explore ODD extension strategies, localisation in GNSS-denied environments, standardisation of data and interfaces, and governance models for trusted deployment.
Focusing on challenging scenarios such as tunnels and urban canyons, the modular localisation framework that integrates infrastructure-assisted sensing, onboard odometry and inertial navigation to ensure continuous positioning without GNSS will also be presented.
iEXODDUS Project kicks off, driving innovation in CCAM technologies
As the automotive industry moves towards a future of self-driving vehicles, the iEXODDUS project aims to address current limitations and push the boundaries of what autonomous vehicles can achieve.
IRF is proud to contribute to this project, supporting its standardisation, exploitation, and dissemination activities. As part of its role, IRF is reviewing relevant standards and regulations to ensure alignment with the evolving CCAM landscape. Additionally, IRF is collaborating with project partners to refine use cases and define system and interface requirements, helping to shape innovative and interoperable solutions for automated mobility.
Coordinated by Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH, the EU-funded project focuses on advancing autonomous vehicle technology and expanding the capabilities of Operational Design Domains (ODDs) for automated driving systems, enhancing autonomous vehicle performance in complex scenarios such as roadworks and tunnels, improving traffic safety, and reducing environmental impact.
Graz (Austria), 23.01.2025 – The rapid advancement of autonomous vehicle technology promises enhanced efficiency and safety in transportation. However, operational constraints within Operational Design Domains (ODDs), including issues in sensing, behaviour prediction, and reliability, limit the potential of automated vehicles.
iEXODDUS improves connected and automated mobility
An ODD is fundamental for the safety of connected and automated mobility (CCAM). It describes the specific operating conditions under which CCAM can be used safely. Expanding the ODD framework is critical to enable these vehicles to navigate challenging scenarios such as construction zones, unmarked roads, and adverse weather conditions. This expansion involves robust perception and decision-making algorithms, reducing the need for human intervention and facilitating integration with human-driven vehicles.
While the benefits are substantial, challenges such as data collection, sensor technology, and regulatory frameworks must be addressed through interdisciplinary collaboration. iEXODDUS combines the expertise of 14 research partners to address these challenges.
iEXODDUS drives innovation in CCAM technologies
iEXODDUS meticulously assesses existing ODDs to unveil limitations and areas for improvement, fostering a deep understanding of ODD challenges and opportunities. This analysis serves as the foundation for a framework to assess and categorize ODDs across diverse automated driving scenarios. A key focus area is the enhancement of sensor technologies and perception capabilities through cutting-edge data fusion methods, expanding ODDs beyond current limits while considering environmental factors such as weather conditions and road infrastructure.
iEXODDUS envisions autonomous vehicles travelling across Europe, resolving harmonization and legal issues, and making policy recommendations. Collaboration with industry stakeholders and aiming for real-world demonstrations will enable an industry-tailored approach towards automated driving systems with extended ODDs.
Key Benefits of the iEXODDUS project
• Extended ODD and Seamless Automated Mobility: Enhances autonomous vehicle performance in complex scenarios such as road works, tunnels, and incident zones, reducing human interven-tion and errors.
• Improved Traffic Safety and Flow: Reduces accidents and enhances road safety through better perception, decision-making, and smoother traffic flow, minimizing congestion.
• Environmental Impact: Lowers emissions and fuel consumption by optimizing traffic manage-ment and enabling eco-driving.
Digital Twins and Infrastructure Support: Uses digital twins for real-time data integration, im-proving traffic management and helping infrastructure operators manage safer and more efficient roadwork zones.
• Standardization and Interoperability: Contributes to the development of standardized, interop-erable CCAM technologies, supporting the broader European transport ecosystem.
Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH
Wolfgang Wachmann
Marketing & Communications
Tel: +43 316 873 9005
E-Mail: wolfgang.wachmann@v2c2.at
iEXODDUS
Selim Solmaz
Head of Control Systems Group, VIRTUAL VEHICLE E-Mail: selim.solmaz@v2c2.at
