As the SETO project draws to a close, this newsletter provides an overview of two key initiatives through which the consortium has disseminated its results, discussed the impact of the solutions developed, and explored the next steps towards making the enforcement of transport operations smarter, more sustainable, and more effective.
SETO Final Event: Three Years of Innovation Towards Smarter Transport Enforcement
The SETO Event “Towards a simplified, smarter and more sustainable enforcement of transport operations” officially took place on March 25th, 2026.
We gathered at LogiVille, hosted by VIL, to celebrate three years of successful collaboration dedicated to rethinking transport enforcement across Europe.
The event brought together policymakers, enforcement authorities, researchers, and industry stakeholders – both in person and online – to reflect on what we have achieved together.
The event was opened by Dr. Katerina Deliali, CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency Project Officer, followed by a general overview on the project by Dr. Beatriz Martínez-Pastor, SETO Coordinator and Associate Professor at University College Dublin. Miguel Cabrera del Moral, DG Move Policy Officer, gave a speech on “Why smart enforcement matters today”.
From expert presentations to live demonstrations, the event showcased how data-driven technologies and digital tools developed within SETO can contribute to:
✔️ Safer roads
✔️ Fairer competition
✔️ A more transparent and efficient logistics ecosystem
Most importantly, the discussions focused on how these innovations can move beyond the project and into real-world implementation.
Key Takeaways: Shaping the Future of Smart Transport Enforcement
🔹 Smarter enforcement, better results
As highlighted by Stijn Ackaert, Michiel Bertels, Vincent De Schrijver, and Iris Neels in a panel moderated by Dirk Staelens, targeted, risk-based enforcement is key, i.e., focusing on non-compliant operators while reducing the burden on compliant ones.
🔹 Data sharing vs. data privacy
A recurring theme across sessions, including insights from Miguel Cabrera del Moral, was the need to balance effective enforcement with GDPR compliance and the trust of drivers and operators.
🔹 Need for EU harmonisation
Beatriz Martínez-Pastor and other experts stressed that fragmented regulations and standards – especially for Weigh-in-Motion systems – remain a major barrier to effective cross-border enforcement.
🔹 Technology is ready… Almost
From platform demonstrations by Sasa Klopanovic and Nemanja Djordjevic to broader discussions, it is clear that innovation is advancing fast – but adoption requires trust, alignment, and clear value for users.
🔹 Incentives matter
Alejandra Efrón, Paul Nordengen, Eugene OBrien, and Bernard Jacob highlighted that encouraging compliance through incentives is just as important as enforcement itself.
🔹 From results to real-world impact
As discussed by Rémy Russotto, Miguel Casero Flórez, and Riccardo Laterza in a panel moderated by Mohamed Eldessouki, the next step is turning SETO outcomes into operational reality, requiring system integration, continued EU support, and clear benefits for operators, especially smaller ones.
🔹 Stakeholder engagement & real-world barriers
Insights from the interactive session led by Francesca Sabatini, PhD, together with reflections from Katerina Deliali’s welcome and Rémy Russotto’s keynote, highlighted key challenges such as data sharing, interoperability, legal robustness, and the need to build trust across the ecosystem.
A common thread across all discussions: smart enforcement is not just about technology – it’s about people, trust, and collaboration.
From Data to Action: SETO and KEYSTONE Join Forces at TRA 2026
On May 19th, 2026, the SETO Project proudly co-organised, together with the KEYSTONE EU Project, the conference “From Data to Action: Enabling Paperless & Smart Digital Enforcement Compliance in Transport & Logistics” in Budapest, held within the framework of the Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026. The event marked the final event of our sister project, KEYSTONE.
We are delighted to have contributed to such a meaningful and forward-looking discussion on the key lessons learned and the next steps towards a smarter, more efficient transport system.
The conference brought together a highly relevant and diverse representation of the transport and logistics ecosystem, including project partners, economic operators, researchers, and enforcement authorities. This multi-stakeholder dialogue highlighted the importance of cooperation, trust, and technological innovation in shaping a fairer and more effective transport market.
Among the key themes at the centre of the debate were the need to ensure that the digital and technological transition acts as an ally for fair enforcement, and the importance of bridging the gaps between academia, R&D, institutions, and industry to make project results scalable and impactful in real-world applications.
A sincere thank you to our colleagues from the KEYSTONE Project and to all participants for their valuable contributions, insightful discussions, and active engagement. Together, we move one step closer to a smarter and more connected future for transport and logistics.
For more information on the event, please follow this link.
Engaging Europe's Transport Community: SETO at the European Commission Stand
During the TRA conference, SETO was featured at the European Commission’s “Transport for Europe” stand, which showcased a range of EU-funded projects addressing key transport and mobility challenges, including Multimodal and Urban Mobility, Transport Safety and Logistics, Zero-Emission and Automated Road Transport, and Sustainable Aviation and Waterborne Transport.
Throughout the conference, SETO partners had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of stakeholders from across the transport ecosystem, including representatives from industry, research, policy-making, and technical organisations. These exchanges provided a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, discuss emerging challenges and opportunities, and explore future collaboration towards making freight transport across Europe safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
The event also provided an excellent opportunity to disseminate and collect feedback on the SETO Policy and Research Recommendations through a dedicated questionnaire. Dozens of experts from across the sector actively contributed to validating and enriching the project’s findings on future policy and research priorities. This collaborative process supported the co-creation of the final recommendations, helping to ensure that they are closely aligned with stakeholders’ expectations and are robust, credible, practical, and effectively communicated.
Keep an eye for the upcoming release of SETO’s deliverable D5.7 – Policy and research recommendations!
Five Key Lessons for the Future of Transport Enforcement
As the SETO project comes to a close, here are some key takeaways that emerged from the fruitful discussions at the SETO Final Event and TRA 2026. Taken together, these insights help shape the future of transport enforcement in Europe:
🚀 1. Data-driven enforcement is the future
Smart, risk-based approaches allow authorities to monitor more of the fleet while using fewer resources – and reduce unnecessary checks for compliant operators.
🧩 2. The technology works – but deployment and upscaling is next
The SETO platform has proven its capabilities, from real-time data integration to advanced enforcement tools. The next challenge: scaling and integrating with national systems.
⚖️ 3. Trust and legal certainty are critical
Without GDPR-compliant data sharing, clear governance, and legally robust evidence, smart enforcement cannot succeed.
🌍 4. Harmonisation is still a bottleneck
Differences in national rules and enforcement practices limit cross-border effectiveness: this is why EU-level alignment is essential.
🤝 5. Enforcement alone is not enough
Combining enforcement with incentives, clear benefits for operators, and strong collaboration will drive long-term adoption and impact.
SETO has laid the groundwork, but the real transformation begins now.
