Mobility of the future
The European transport sector is one of the biggest sources of emissions, contributing significantly to the overall carbon footprint of the continent. At the same time, people and goods are more mobile than ever before. Mobility is the foundation of economic strength, security of supply, and Europe's global connectivity. This makes it all the more important to make transport more sustainable. Modern, resilient transport infrastructure plays a central role in this.
STRABAG builds modern transport infrastructure
The German government's decision to set up this special fund sends a clear message: investment in rail networks, bridges, roads, waterways and tunnels is essential for creating transport routes that are future-proof. At STRABAG, we have many years of expertise and deliver infrastructure projects that actively support this transition. We build roads, bridges, railways and waterways, laying the foundations for economic development and social cohesion.
Rail networks: In the fast lane across Europe
When people travel by rail in Europe, they often find that the transport infrastructure is overburdened and not fully interconnected. Nevertheless, trains are one of the most sustainable ways to travel. If the rail network is consistently expanded and modernised, trains can make a decisive contribution to reducing emissions in the transport sector.
In Germany, the federal government and Deutsche Bahn are now responding with comprehensive refurbishments. Take the Hamburg-Berlin rail line, for instance. This is one of the country's busiest routes, and we have upgraded its key rail infrastructure.
The European Commission's goal is to double cross-border rail traffic by 2030. A key step towards achieving this is the expansion of high-speed rail lines. In the Czech Republic, for instance, we are upgrading a section of the Brno–Přerov railway line to a double track. In future, trains will be able to travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h – twice as fast as before. Improved connections strengthen Europe’s connectivity and establish rail as a viable alternative to cars and planes. The construction of the new Metro Line 5 in Hamburg shows that sustainable mobility starts with proper infrastructure. By using sustainable construction processes and low-carbon building materials, Hamburger Hochbahn aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 70 per cent on this major tunnel construction project. STRABAG subsidiary ZÜBLIN is helping to build an extension to the local transport network with a central, fully automated east-west link.
Safe travel on roads and bridges
Roads remain essential for mobility in Europe. Cars and trucks are still the most important form of transport. In Germany, STRABAG is helping to build a network of fast-charging stations for electric lorries. This project is part of the nationwide road infrastructure programme commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport and carried out by Autobahn GmbH. A total of over 800 charging points are set to be installed at 124 locations across Germany.
In the future, innovative technology could enable electric cars to be charged wirelessly as they drive or park. We are testing an inductive charging method for this purpose together with the manufacturer Electreon, ensuring effective installation and optimal system communication.
Modern transport infrastructure allows for new mobility solutions. One such solution is electric mobility, which is a key technology for low-emission transport. In the future, innovative technology could enable electric cars to be charged wirelessly as they drive or park. We are testing an inductive charging method for this purpose together with the manufacturer Electreon, ensuring effective installation and optimal system communication.
The need for modernisation is particularly evident in bridge construction. Many European bridges now need to be replaced to cope with increasing traffic volumes. Within Germany, 18,000 motorway bridges require refurbishment. However, by 2024, only 40 per cent of the planned refurbishments had been carried out. Bridge refurbishments often result in long closures and significant traffic restrictions. With the STRABAG modular bridge, however, we integrate planning and implementation at an early stage. Thanks to a high degree of prefabrication, we are able to enable the faster renewal of infrastructure in need of refurbishment.
We achieve sustainable mobility in various ways. A modern and connected transport infrastructure is crucial.
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What defines the mobility of the future?
The mobility of the future is connected, efficient, and diverse. Different modes of transportation, digital solutions, and new, environmentally friendly propulsion technologies work together to reliably move people and goods from A to B. At the same time, this lays the foundation for increasingly low-emission and resource-efficient mobility.
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What role does infrastructure play in the mobility of the future?High-performance roads, bridges, railways, and charging infrastructure form the foundation of modern mobility. By building, maintaining, and modernizing this infrastructure, we lay the groundwork for sustainable transportation networks and support the transition to more climate-friendly forms of mobility.
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What contribution do alternative propulsion systems make?Electric, hydrogen-based, and other alternative propulsion technologies are key building blocks of future mobility. To realize their potential, the right infrastructure is needed—from charging stations and power grids to new logistics solutions. This will create the conditions for a gradual reduction in transportation-related emissions.