NGI to Lead New Centre for Resilient Transport Infrastructure
Resilient Transport System (ResiTrans) is a new research centre aiming to strengthen the resilience of Norway’s transport system. The project has received funding from the Research Council of Norway and is led by NGI in collaboration with leading research institutions and key public sector stakeholders.
Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland, Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård, NGI CEO Lars Andresen, and John Vigrestad, Department Director for Transport and Maritime Affairs at the Research Council of Norway..
“We are incredibly grateful for the trust placed in us and the opportunity to lead such a societally critical and forward-looking centre with such strong partners,” says Centre Director and Technical Expert Regula Frauenfelder at NGI.
Through ResiTrans, the project will develop new knowledge and tools to help transport infrastructure better withstand climate change, digitalisation, and increased electrification. The centre will support authorities and public transport operators in identifying the best measures to mitigate the negative impacts of harsher climate conditions and more extreme weather.
A triple win
“The fact that the Ministry of Transport is now taking the lead and supporting research that will contribute to more resilient transport infrastructure is of great significance,” says NGI’s CEO Lars Andresen. He highlights three key reasons why the centre matters:
“We aim to reduce vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards. A robust transport infrastructure is essential to Norway’s total defence strategy and to the competitiveness of Norwegian businesses,” he explains.
Tackling Tomorrow’s Challenges Through Cross-Disciplinary Solutions
Norway’s transport system faces growing challenges linked to extreme weather, natural hazards, digital risks, and dependence on power supply. ResiTrans will address these through:
- Mapping climate-related natural hazards for road, rail, and sea transport
- Strategies for handling digital risk and cybersecurity
- Analysing vulnerabilities in electrified transport systems
- Real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance
- Stress-testing and contingency planning for critical infrastructure
“ResiTrans is not just about research. It’s about working with those who manage Norway’s infrastructure daily to develop knowledge-based, practical solutions and decision support,” says Frauenfelder.
A Strong and Diverse Consortium
ResiTrans is a partnership between NGI and the following partners: OsloMet, Norwegian Computing Center (NR), CICERO, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Norwegian Public Roads Administration, Bane NOR, Norwegian Coastal Administration, and the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).
Together, the consortium represents a unique combination of cross-disciplinary research and hands-on public sector expertise.
Contributing to National Goals on Climate Adaptation
The project will contribute to national goals on climate adaptation, societal resilience, and sustainable infrastructure while promoting international knowledge sharing. The centre will engage in dialogue and collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the other Transport 2050 centres.
The centre will launch in autumn 2025 and run for eight years.
“A centre like this creates predictability and long-term commitment in the crucial cooperation between strong research environments and the public sector. In addition to generating new solutions that benefit society, it will enhance the international competitiveness of Norwegian research institutions,” concludes Frauenfelder.
Regula Frauenfelder
Technical Expert Remote Sensing and Geophysics regula.frauenfelder@ngi.no+47 976 85 864
