METRIC Newsletter
Newsletter Issue 4
January 2015
Inside this issue:
About the project
METRIC maps the regional transport
innovation capacity and identifies the
competitive advantage of regions. Based on
their strengths, guidelines for the
preparation of regional innovation
roadmaps (i.e. strategy plans) will be
developed. METRIC also explores the
regional innovation potential and makes
recommendations on how to support weak
regions. The project will ultimately
contribute to the building of a regional
culture of continuous innovation that
minimizes innovation risks and maximizes
its returns.
METRIC bases its operating principles in
three main blocks of activities:
i) mapping transport research and
innovation activities,
ii) measuring the performance of regional
innovation frameworks and
iii) analysing the main principles and
typology of regional innovation.
The project will deliver a set of
recommendations on innovative strategies
for regions along with a set of innovation
roadmaps based on best practices. The
Smart Specialization Platform (S3P)
approach will be used for the development
of roadmaps and a transport sector specific
S3P strategy will be put forward. This aims
to become the basis for Structural Fund
investments in R&I contributing to the
development of the Cohesion Policy.
METRIC’s objectives
Analysis of
Innovation
Frameworks
&Strategies
About the project
and METRIC’s
objectives
WP3: Summary
1
WP 4: Regional
innovation
potential
3
WP5: Guide on
regional transport
innovation
strategies
4
WP6: METRIC’s
publications
5
METRIC’s Final
Event
6
METRIC’s
cooperation DanubeINCO.NET project
7
2
Results:
Key stakeholders & cooperation patterns

Innovation financing
Key transport research and innovation activities
Transport innovation
indicators
Main principles for regional innovation and classification
of regions
Measuring and
explaining the
regional innovation
potential / SWOT
Typology of regions
Guidelines and tools for adopting innovation
Guidelines for adapting innovation principles for regions
Innovation roadmaps for transport technology at regional level
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



Matrix of main
principles for
regional transport
innovation.
Typology of regions
concerning transport
innovation.
Tool-Box for
adapting the success
factors of innovation
at a regional level.
Guide of regional
transport innovation
strategy.
Transport
innovation
roadmaps
WP3: Measuring and explaining the performance of regional innovation
frameworks
The main aim of this WP was
to explore the regional
transport innovation
landscape in a way that
enables to measure, compare
and explain the innovation
performance of regions. In
view of availability and
quality of NUTS 2 data at
regional level, firstly all
relevant indicators were
defined to enable a
comprehensive,
multidimensional
measurement of the
transport innovation
performance of regions. In a
comparable way indicators
were defined to measure
explanatory factors for the
regional transport innovation
performance. The results of
these activities were reported
in D3.1.
Next, these indicators have
been used in a Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM)
technique for the actual
measurement, comparison
and explanation of transport
innovation achievements.
The results, based on an
analysis for the transport
sector as a whole (i.e.
transport manufacturing and
services together), showed
that the high performing
innovation regions were
predominantly found in
Germany and Sweden, while
low performing regions were
located in Bulgaria, Finland,
Hungary, Poland, Romania,
Spain and the United
Kingdom.
However, it appeared very
relevant to also look at scores
of regions for transport
manufacturing and the
service sector separately,
acknowledging the fact that
activities in these subsectors
are very different and the
presence of these subsectors
is different between regions.
Since the transport services
sector is much greater (in
terms of employment and
number of companies) than
the manufacturing sector, the
scores of regions in the
services sector resemble the
scores for the total transport
sector. The map of
innovation performances of
regions in the manufacturing
sector gave a more
diversified pattern, i.e. more
regional variation within the
different countries.
The results of the SEManalysis indicate a relatively
great importance of funding
possibilities for the
innovation achievements.
This observation was valid
for both the analysis of the
total transport sector and for
the analyses of the
manufacturing and service
sectors. However, the role of
funding appears to be even
more important in the service
sector rather than within the
manufacturing sector. In
general, the results suggest
that the availability and
possibilities for innovation
funding are determined at
national level rather than
regional level, since the
scores of regions on funding
show hardly any variation
between regions within
countries. The importance of
the transport sector structure
for innovation achievements
in the manufacturing sector
is greater than in the service
sector. A striking result is
that the role of innovation
milieu for the innovation
achievements appears to be
negligible for both the
manufacturing and service
sector. The results were
documented in D3.2.
Following this SEM-analysis
the final task of this WP
(reported in D3.3) covered an
analysis into the strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities
and threats to realise
transport innovations at
regional level. For each
country a strong and weak
performing innovation
region was chosen, for which
a SWOT-analysis was
conducted. The strengths
and weaknesses were
determined by the scores of
the indicators used in
METRIC deliverable 3.2.
Opportunities and threats
were assessed using the
regional knowledge of the
METRIC partners and a
concise review of trends in
the transport sector. Spider
diagrams were developed to
visualise the results. Our
METRIC partner FTTE
developed the spider
diagram approach into a
generalised user-friendly tool
to enable extensive
comparisons of performances
between all regions.
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Measuring and
explaining the
Performance of
regional innovation
frameworks
Main principles of innovation in transport sector
In Work package 4 main
principles of innovation in the
transport sector were discovered.
The following main principles are
considered to be a part of it:
Level of education can be
interpreted as a precondition of
innovation providing highskilled labour force.
A dense transportation network
accompanied by innovation
potential could also be
interpreted as a characteristic of
an established, mature economic
region.
Proportion of innovative
companies seems to be an
obvious aspect related to high
innovation potential.
Teachers and employees in
technical/ scientific professions
point to the fact that innovation
in transportation, as measured, is
closely linked to science and
technology serving as a
precondition for the innovationoriented regional economy,
which in turn attracting a
corresponding labour force.
Company size is related to
innovation potential on a regional
level, although innovation might
be located in small and medium
enterprises located in close
proximity of big companies.
Public funds for R&D and
financial proportion of R&D in
the region/ enterprise are related
to innovation leading to the
conclusion that innovation needs
investment – whether from
policy or public sector.
Specialization of industries is
related to innovation providing a
two way interpretation:
specialized industries might be a
precondition for innovation,
while in turn innovation might
be necessary to sustain
specialized companies by
renewing uniqueness in
products, services and processes
thereby enabling
competitiveness.
Cluster analysis in Work package 4
WP4: The clusters
range from
economically very
strong to very
weak
economically.
In Work Package 4 types of
regions based on various
factors have to be
distinguished. These are mainly
the areas of innovation
framework and economic
performance. ZHAW decided
to undertake socio-economic
factors also. It is important that
the clusters are not overly
formed by innovation factors,
as this has already happened in
a different form elsewhere in
Work package 4.
These were now clustered after
some pre-calculations and
considerations. The optimum
number of clusters in this case
is 10 clusters. Afterwards, these
clusters are evaluated according
to location in Europe, features
and characteristics where the
results of Work Package three
and two are also included. The
properties are determined
using the 26 indicators that
were used for the cluster
analysis.
It may be said that the clusters
clearly distinguished from each
other. The clusters range from
economically very strong to
very weak economically. This
can be applied to the
innovation and e.g.
unemployment and prosperity,
too.
Furthermore, it is interesting
that conclusions about the
evolution of the cluster in
recent years can be implied, if
one includes the economic
development in Europe. Thus,
clusters have formed, which
were clearly severely affected
by the regression and currency
crisis of recent years.
Greater Areas and Axes of Innovation Potential in Transport Sector
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WP5: Guide on regional transport innovation strategies
A guide to innovation
strategies for transport at
regional level showing the
contribution of the sector to
smart specialization
strategies is presented
indeliverable 5.1. It targets
Structural Funds Managing
Authorities, policy-makers
and transport stakeholders
that can benefit from the
implementation of Smart
Specialization Strategies. The
guide can be particularly
useful as during the current
Cohesion Policy funding
period (2014-2020), EU
regions are asked to draw up
national/regional innovation
strategies for smart
specialization (RIS3) as an exante conditionality for
European Structural and investment Funds (ESIF).
As other economic sectors,
transport is spatially
concentrated in some
European regions, and for
that reason it is identified as
a priority in their RIS3. For
those regions, the current
guide offers the possibility to
revise their innovation
strategies with specific
information that relates the
RIS3 methodology with the
transport sector. The
information provided in this
guide can also be useful for
other regions that plan to
include the transport sector
in future RIS3. For other
transport stakeholders (i.e.
industry, universities) this
guide provides an overview
of the RIS3 process that
regions are following in
order to meet the ex-ante
conditionality of ESIF.
strategy process and
governance;
3. Developing a shared
vision;
4. Identifying the
priorities;
5. Defining an action plan
with a coherent policy
mix;
6. Monitoring and
evaluating.
The guide includes ready-touse materials to allow
regional policymakers to
answer these key identified
questions. Examples of good
practices in the field of
transport are also identified
and presented to illustrate
the application of RIS3
principles. Furthermore a list
of useful services provided
by the European
Commission and other
institutions is also offered.
The guide is structured
around the six practical steps
of the RIS3 methodology:
1. Analysing the
innovation potential;
2. Setting out the regional
transport innovation
4
The guide to
innovation
strategies for
transport at regional
level targets
Structural Funds
Managing
Authorities, policymakers and
transport
stakeholders that
can benefit from the
implementation of
Smart Specialization
Strategies.
Mapping of Regional Transport RTD Frameworks in Europe
ABSTRACT:
This paper presents the results of a
mapping process of regional
research and innovation activities
across the European transport
sector. Particular attention has been
given to the examination of
prioritized objectives in R&I
infrastructure in different EU
countries, with specific emphasis
on the area of regional transport
research. The mapping process was
based on efforts to collect
significant amount of useful
indicators and indexes relating to
European regions (quantitative
data), as well as relevant policies,
initiatives, strategies, clusters,
actors, etc (qualitative data).
Lessons have been drawn from
specific regional cases of transport
research and innovation policy
governance. In this respect, we
elaborated and researched the state
of regional research and
innovation activities, policies and
programmes and their most recent
trends in European regions at
NUTS2 level. Furthermore, we also
detail the importance of various
transport sectors for a selection of
NUTS2 regions. The work
undertaken also included an
analysis on how the priorities of
innovation and RTD strategies are
formulated, determined what type
of innovation is the focus of
transport sector, and how this
varies across European regions.
International Conference on Traffic and Transport Engineering, 27-28 November, 2014, Belgrade,
Serbia, pp. 755-764.
Innovation performance of the transport sector at regional level
ABSTRACT:
METRIC's
quantitative
dissemination
target:
- 2 Publications
Acknowledging the fact that
regions are important engines of
economic development, regional
innovations can be important
drivers for growth and
improvement of the transport
sector in Europe. The innovation
process and relative performance
of the transport sector at regional
level is, however, not extensively
studied. In the framework of the
European FP7-funded project
METRIC a method has been
developed to measure and explain
the innovation performance of the
transport sector at regional level.
This paper outlines this method
and presents the results of
applying this method to 251
European regions. The method is
based on structural equation
modelling. This modelling
technique enables to get scores for
the innovation performance of each
region and to derive estimations
that express the relative
importance of the explanatory
factors for innovation performance.
The analysis showed that the high
performing regions were
predominantly found in Germany
and Sweden, while the low
performing regions were located in
Finland, Poland, Romania,
Bulgaria, Hungary, Spain and
United Kingdom. However, the
scores of regions on innovation
performance are rather different
when the performance is measured
for the transport manufacturing and
transport service sector individually.
Among the factors that may explain
transport innovation performance of
regions funding possibilities appear
to be highly important, while the
relevance of innovation milieu is
outmost limited.
International Conference on Traffic and Transport Engineering, 27-28 November, 2014, Belgrade,
Serbia, pp. 746-754.
European Diversity – Regional Innovation Potential in Transportation
ABSTRACT:
Transportation is essential for
European competitiveness. While
the transportation system
guarantees location quality for the
economy and citizens, the
transportation industry provides
jobs and strengthens the economy in
general. The European Commission
aims to support the transportation
sector by promoting innovation on a
regional level. To ensure successful
effects of funding, financial support
should not be spread but focus on
regions of highest innovation
potential in transportation. The
European FP7-funded project
METRIC has developed a method to
measure innovation potential in
transportation applying it to the
regions in Europe. The results
should serve as a basis for funding
distribution and should also identify
certain types of regional innovation
patterns.
This paper describes the analytical
approach to measuring the
innovation potential in the
transportation sector, also showing
first results. While the
methodological approach has been
developed the results have to be
considered preliminary. The project
will run until March 2015; the work
is still in progress. Already at this
stage certain pattern and types of
regional innovation can be
distinguished showing that enabling
factors, including funding, are not
always connected with innovation
output and at the same time are no
preconditions for innovation.
Besides this, some regions show a
connection between funding and
innovation in transportation
allowing us to identify the success
factors for innovation in a later step.
International Conference on Traffic and Transport Engineering, 27-28 November, 2014, Belgrade,
Serbia, pp. 736-745.
5
METRIC Final Event
European Commission building, Shuman area, Brussels
19th March 2015 – SAVE THE DATE!
Innovation is essential for every economy. Transport is the backbone of the
European economy, accounting for about 7 % of GDP and more than 5 % of total
employment in the EU. According to the White Paper (2011), innovation is essential
for the European transport strategy in order to achieve the challenges. Perhaps the
biggest challenge for the EU and its Member States is to adopt a much more
strategic approach to innovation. METRIC will explore the transport innovation
potential and capacity of NUTS 2 regions and develop innovation roadmaps based
on the comparative and competitive advantages of the regions.
The METRIC event “Supporting EU Regional Transport Innovation” will be a place
to present research results, practical experiences, real-world problems and to
communicate and discuss between/beyond disciplines. The vision is to raise
awareness and, in parallel, to actively contribute to the shaping of a consensus
among various stakeholders. This leads to the most effective recommendations on
transport innovation strategies, technologies and methodologies for achieving
regional transport innovation.
More information on the agenda, useful materials, the organising committee, the
event location as well as the event brochure can be found at
http://metricfp7.eu/conference/.
For any questions on the final conference, please contact Dr Vladislav Maras,
through e-mail: v.maras@sf.bg.ac.rs.
WP6 – Dissemination activities
Project web site
http://metricfp7.eu/
Presence at various events
 Annual POLIS Conference, 27-28
November, 2014, Madrid, Spain
Social Networks Presence
https://twitter.com/METRICFP7
 International Conference on Traffic
and Transport Engineering – ICTTE
2014, 27-28 November, 2014,
Belgrade, Serbia
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/metric-fp7project/93/49/913/
http://www.slideshare.net/METRICFP7
Web sites presence:
http://wbc-inco.net/object/project/13568
http://www.transportresearch.info/web/projects/project_details.cfm?id=46
717
http://www.sf.bg.ac.rs/index.php/en-GB/faculty
http://www.ijtte.com/article/102/ICTTE_Belgrade_2
014.html
http://danube-inco.net/object/project/10128
Project meetings
 4nd Project Meeting, 16th & 17th of
October 2014,Seville , Spain

Network of stakeholders has been created in
the first Months of activities and will be
expanded throughout the project
6
METRIC Final
Event “Supporting
EU Regional
Transport
Innovation”
Danube.INCO-NET project active to support cooperation in
Research and Innovation in the Danube Region
Danube-INCO.NET “Advancing Research and Innovation in the Danube
Region” is an initiative funded under FP7 to support the official EU Strategy
for the Danube Region (EUSDR), with particular focus on the research and
innovation (R&I) field while mainly tackling only two of the EUSDR Priority
Areas (PA): i.e. PA 7 „Knowledge Society“ and PA 8 „Competitiveness“.
The project is carried out by 19 organisations from 14 EU and non-EU
countries (including Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine
etc.), under the coordination of ZSI - Centre for Social Innovation, and
intends to overcome those obstacles hindering the social and economic
development of the Danube Region which is one of the most diverse in
Europe, in terms of economic strengths and research and innovation systems
METRIC’s
cooperation
activities
Danube.INCONET project
and profiles, and home to over 100 million residents. The envisaged
activities shall therefore foster policy dialogue, create networks among key
stakeholders, and contribute analyses to support R&I development in the
Region as well. Similarly, events, publications and policy recommendations
for R&I cooperation shall reach an audience as broad as possible, as well as
interested and engaged in the future macro-regional development of the
Danube Region.
A General Assembly of the project that was held in Vienna on 11th
December 2014 back to back with a meeting and workshop of Priority Area
7, served to take stock of the situation and identify common problems. The
debate addressed issues ranging project financial and administrative
management, support to policy dialogue, bibliometric analysis, cooperation
among energy and bioeconomy players, R&I funding mechanisms,
communication aspects, etc. In the end, the Assembly as well as the
European Commission monitoring the project confirmed that the activities
are making excellent progress in achieving the key aims and objectives.
For more information, please visit: http://danube-inco.net/ or contact
office@danube-inco.net
7
The METRIC project makes use of different media available. You can
find information on the project and its workings at:
Project Coordinator:
Eleni Anoyrkati
 Our homepage: http://metricfp7.eu
Coventry University Enterprises Ltd
Puma Way, CV1 2TT
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/METRICFP7
E-mail address:
 Linked-in: www.linkedin.com/pub/metric-fp7-
e.anoyrkati@coventry.ac.uk
info@metricfp7.eu
project/93/49/913/
 Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/METRICFP7
Web site address:
http://metricfp7.eu
METRIC Partners
Project Coordinator:
Coventry University
Enterprises Ltd
Zurich University of Applied Sciences,
Institute of Sustainable Development
University of
Belgrade, Faculty of
Transport and Traffic
Engineering
DELFT University of Technology
Joint Research Center
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