The National Center for Transport 4.0 (NCD 4.0) was first presented to the professional community at the City Changers 2030 conference, which took place in March 2026 at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics, and Cybernetics (CIIRC) at the Czech Technical University in Prague. There, the Center presented its approach to digitization and the use of artificial intelligence in transportation and mobility for the first time, including its plan to build a national digital twin for transportation. The key impetus for the creation of NCD 4.0 was the binding European requirement to develop sustainable mobility plans by 2027.
The center was introduced by its director, Prof. Dr. Ing. Miroslav Svítek, Dr. h. c., together with the director of CIIRC CTU, Dr. Ondřej Velek. “Through its centers, CIIRC CTU has long been connecting cutting-edge research with practical applications in industry, construction, and the field of smart cities. We are now expanding this collaboration to include transportation and mobility through the National Center for Transport 4.0, through which we aim to serve as a partner for both the government and industry in this field,” said CIIRC CTU Director Ondřej Velek.
More Resilient Cities Through Strategic Mobility Planning and Risk Management
The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation calls on key Czech cities and regions to develop Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). This is not merely a formal requirement, but a systematic approach that ensures every development project—from tram lines to bike paths or logistics centers—contributes to improving quality of life and to the long-term sustainability and resilience of cities and regions. These strategies will facilitate access to project funding from European and other sources while also bringing concrete improvements to daily mobility, safety, and the overall competitiveness of Czech cities and regions.
“Transportation is the lifeblood of modern society and the economy. Without its digital transformation, the Czech Republic cannot succeed in the long term in the face of global competition. The concept of Transport 4.0, based on the use of artificial intelligence, is a key factor in managing rising energy prices and disruptions in supply chains. Just as modern medicine relies on advanced diagnostic technologies, the future of transportation and mobility will rely on data, information, and intelligent systems for informed decision-making based on available knowledge,” said Prof. Svítek, adding: “That is why we see great potential in connecting the capacities, data, and expertise we can offer, including leveraging synergies within initiatives focused on putting AI into practice, such as EDIH CTU, AI-MATTERS/TEF, or the newly established Czech AI Factory, in which CIIRC CTU is an active partner. Our goal is to contribute to the development of cooperation and specific innovative solutions for a wide range of users.”
At the City Changers 2030 conference, the broader context behind the center’s establishment was also discussed: “The Czech Republic has a unique opportunity to become a leader in the application of artificial intelligence to transportation systems—provided that industry, the public sector, and academia join forces,” said Ondřej Velek, director of CIIRC at the Czech Technical University in Prague.
NCD 4.0 activities focus on four key areas:
• AI in transportation and mobility – the use of artificial intelligence in the planning and management of transportation and mobility across all relevant sectors
• Data and infrastructure – building data systems for real-time transportation and mobility planning and management
• Digital twins – modeling and simulation of transportation processes and related infrastructure, including risk management and identification of crisis situations
• Interoperability and resilience – the interconnectivity and compatibility of individual systems in the built environment
For more information about the center’s activities, visit https://ncd40.com/.
Translated with DeepL.com