Europe's transport sector not ready for green and digital shift, report warns (GreenShift)

Only 17% of transport and mobility organisations have established artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies as a strategic capability, according to an industry-wide report. 

The GreenShift Market Needs Analysis research has found that most of the surveyed transport organisation are still testing AI or applying it in isolated and limited ways, rather than integrating it across core operations and long-term strategy. Moving from experimentation to everyday use requires practical skills and structures that connect data, computing and modelling with real transport decisions.

Report findings

The report also found that: 

• Internal skills are the biggest barrier to progress. Some 57% of respondents identified skills shortages within their organisation, while 52% cited difficulties integrating new technologies with legacy systems. Organisations need both the expertise and infrastructure to move AI beyond isolated projects. 
• The most pressing skills needs relate directly to operational and environmental decisions. Emissions modelling was cited by 53% of respondents, followed by real-time decision systems at 52% and AI systems integration at 48%. This points to demand for professionals who can turn technical outputs into practical action. 
• High-performance computing (HPC) is widely recognised as important but remains underused. Nearly two thirds of respondents rated HPC as moderately or very important, while practical awareness and operational use remain limited outside specialised organisations.

Five emerging skills gaps

Europe's transport and logistics operators are under mounting pressure to decarbonise and digitise at the same time, but a new EU-wide study finds most of them don't yet have the in-house skills to do it. The GreenShift Market Needs Analysis is an EU-wide study aimed at the people who will have to close the emerging skills gap: SME innovators, public-sector mobility leaders, and corporate R&D professionals working across transport and logistics.

For an SME trying to compete on efficiency, or a public authority under pressure to hit emissions targets, the skills gap is not academic, but an immediate hurdle that can stall innovation and delay emissions reductions.

The research identifies five cross-cutting capability gaps slowing wider adoption.

• Data integration and engineering. Organisations need stronger capability to combine different transport data sources, manage real-time and large-scale datasets, and improve data quality, interoperability, and governance. 
• AI application and deployment. The sector needs professionals who can move AI from experimentation into operational transport systems and assess its risks, limitations, and performance. 
• Modelling, simulation, and digital twins. Organisations report a shortage of people who can build and apply models and connect their outputs to real operational decisions. 
• HPC and scalable computing. Skills are needed to apply high-performance computing to simulation, optimisation, and large-scale AI beyond specialised research settings. 
• Sustainability and systems thinking. Organisations need stronger emissions modelling and environmental impact skills, with sustainability integrated into operational decisions.

A wider look at the sector’s skills needs

The Market Needs Analysis examines current capabilities, training provision, adoption barriers, and emerging workforce needs at the intersection of AI, HPC, advanced digital technologies and European transport and mobility.

• It brings together structured desk research across all 27 EU Member States, 103 validated sources, 58 valid stakeholder survey responses and nine semi-structured interviews with transport and logistics organisations. 
• Its findings indicate sector patterns and priorities but are not statistically representative of the entire EU27 transport sector.

“This research confirms what many in the sector already sense: the appetite for AI and HPC in transport is real, but the workforce to deliver on that appetite doesn't yet exist at scale. GreenShift was designed to close exactly that gap,” 

- Horacio González-Vélez, GreenShift Project Coordinator at the National College of Ireland

Turning the findings into practical learning

The findings are directly shaping theMSc in AI & HPC for Sustainable Transport Systems, a joint European master’s programme built around the emerging skills gaps identified in the research. GreenShift will also offer flexible micro-credentials, standalone modules, and short courses for professionals already working in the sector.

GreenShift is a Digital Europe Programme initiative coordinated by the National College of Ireland. It brings together 14 beneficiaries and two associated partners across nine EU countries to advance AI and HPC skills for sustainable transport and mobility.

At thegreenshift.eu, you can read the full GreenShift Market Needs Analysis, watch a video walkthrough of the research process, and download the summary infographic.

About GreenShift

GreenShift is a Digital Europe Programme-funded initiative developing AI and HPC skills for sustainable transport, coordinated by the National College of Ireland. 

The project brings together 14 partners and two associated partners across nine EU countries to develop the MSc in AI & HPC for Sustainable Transport Systems, a joint European master’s programme, alongside micro-credentials and short courses. These programmes will support professionals and organisations applying AI and HPC to real transport and mobility challenges.

Legal disclaimer

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author or authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.