Institute of Transportation, MOTC

• Date：2020-01-17
• Update：2025-09-30
• Department：IOT

1. Conducting Regional Transportation Planning and Facilitating Balanced Development of Transportation Systems

To strengthen the balanced development of transportation systems across regions, the Institute of Transportation, MOTC (IOT), has launched the sixth phase of its overall transportation planning research series. Intercity transportation demand models and overall regional transportation planning outcomes have been integrated since 2016; model structure and road network integration, investigations on national travel characteristics, model evaluation, supply and demand prediction, strategic research and analysis, and other tasks have been completed in a sequential order since 2025. From 2025 to 2026, research will be conducted on Taiwan’s container demand model series in the context of container transport planning. The data survey, collection, and analysis will be conducted in 2025 to determine the parameters of the container model. In addition, the container demand will be evaluated alongside the results of the data collection to understand the origin-destination (OD) distribution. In 2026, inter-city container transport demand models will be constructed, demand will be predicted, and the results of container analyses will be used to conduct policy sensitivity and transportation plan impact level analyses. In terms of review and assessment tools, the transportation planning support system will be maintained, optimized, and expanded to assist in plan review, evaluation, and other relevant operations.

 2. Strengthening the Competitiveness of Overall Sea and Air Transportation

To enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness in sea and air transportation, international database maintenance and issue analysis planning for 2025 will be conducted. The international sea and air transportation databases will continue to be updated, and big data analysis technologies will be used to understand global development trends and market directions. With this as a foundation, a sea and air transportation issue analysis will be proposed to aid in policy analysis and formulation. Furthermore, in order to facilitate the long-term sustainable development of Taiwan’s airports and align with global trends, the “Environment Development Sustainability Plan for Airports in Taiwan” will be conducted from 2025 to 2026, during which the global trends in airport environmental sustainability, promotion policies, and development experiences in leading countries and international benchmark airports will be collected. Furthermore, Taiwan’s regulations and the current airport development situations will be reviewed in order to develop “The Policy Guiding Principles for the Environment Sustainable Development of Airports in Taiwan” and the “Promotion Guidelines.” The “Research of Taiwan Container Shipping Industry’s Promotion of Digital and Sustainable Dual-axis Transformation” was carried out between 2025 and 2026 to investigate the container shipping industry’s digital and sustainable transformation. In addition to gathering information on the international container shipping industry’s promotion of digital sustainability dual-axis trends, current situation, plans, and cases, the potential for Taiwan’s dual-axis transformation will be assessed concurrently. Furthermore, the focus will be on common core issues or bottlenecks encountered by industries along the container operation chain, allowing for the further development of the container shipping dual-axis transformation plan framework and strategy.

 3. Strengthening  Risk Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Technology to Enhance Road Traffic Safety Management Momentum

To enhance the momentum of road traffic safety management, image recognition of traffic conflict patterns and locations was extended in 2025 from intersections to road segments. Safety risk factors from the road environment and human operations will be identified in advance. For existing roads, a road safety inspection system will be introduced to identify potential safety hazards in existing road facilities, enabling road management authorities to make improvements proactively. The “Reference Guidelines for Installing Road Traffic Signs and Markings” have been formulated to assist road management authorities in planning and installing of related facilities across the country. This will ensure a more consistent, intuitive, and safer road traffic environment for road users.

 4. Continuing to Develop Public Transportation and Implement Human-centered Transportation Services

To assist the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) in facilitating sustainable development and implementing the policy direction of transportation equity, the IOT has supported the Ministry in formulating the “Highway Public Transportation Sustainability and Transportation Equity Plan (2025–2028)” and conducting the “Regional Transportation Development and Research Center Service Upgrade 3.0 Plan” (2025–2026). The resources of local and central governments, as well as industries and academia, have been integrated to assist bus operators in accelerating recovery and improving the enterprise structures, ensuring sustainable operations. At the same time, under the current framework, service quality and competitiveness will continue to be improved while expending service capacity. This will help promote low-carbon and green transportation, implement the concept of human-centered transportation equity, and advance other important policies while boosting industrial upgrading. The former plans encompass four policy areas: “Public Transportation Restoration and Perfection,” “Human-centered Transportation equity,” “Smart Public Transportation and Digital Management,” and “Promotion of Low-carbon and Green Transportation”; the latter plans involve collaborating with the Tourism Burean and the MOTC to improve public transportation travel services. These plans entail integrating the National Development Council’s local revitalization and the Council of Indigenous Peoples’ tribal culture promotion with public transportation and tourism travel services, as well as implementing demonstration plans for public transportation road network integration in collaboration with local governments and bus operators. Cross-ministerial collaboration and cross-regional resource integration demonstration plans can enhance the effectiveness of public transportation and road traffic safety initiatives.

5. Improving the Innovative Applications of Transportation Technology and Strengthening the Promotion of Smart Transportation Research Results

To strengthen the integration of transportation technology, transportation information, and communication, the Smart Transportation Digital Nerve Center System have been developed and integrated in 2025, and then handed over to the Taichung City Government for implementation. Additionally, various application service promotions will be developed to allow for future expansion into other counties and cities, thereby improving traffic management efficiency. Furthermore, through the construction of multi-target AI-enabled learning models, the simulation models of experimental sites, including interchanges in Taipei City, Tainan City, and Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, artificial intelligence-enabled learning model training, testing, and performance evaluations will be completed. At the same time, the Urban Traffic Control Communication Protocol Version 3.5 (Draft) will be implemented. Furthermore, the Proof of Business Model (PoB) phase for drone logistics service verification plans began in 2025. Collaboration with demand-driven units will be conducted to plan and validate feasible drone logistics business models, resulting in innovative applications of smart transportation and logistics integration.

 6. Enhancing the 2050 Deep Carbon Reduction Momentum for the Transportation Sector and Strengthening Adaptability During the Road System Planning Phase

To promote deep carbon reduction in the transportation sector and enhance the adaptability of transportation systems, the IOT will carry out function expansion, data updates, and analysis of the transportation sector’s net-zero emissions model for 2050. This is intended to promote deep carbon reduction and improve the adaptability of the transportation system by 2025. The transportation sector’s greenhouse gas reduction action plan outcomes and the associated carbon reduction benefits will be assessed. Furthermore, the Transportation Sector Greenhouse Gas Reduction Action Plan - Phase 3 (Draft) will be revised in accordance with the transportation sector’s Phase 3 control objectives. Trial runs of carbon reduction commuting activities for business units will be conducted, and the MOTC will receive assistance in integrating the key strategic action plan results and reviews of the net-zero transformation. This will aid the MOTC and related ministries in implementing transportation carbon reduction practices. Practices and guidelines for enhancing adaptability in railway systems, including Taiwan High Speed Rail and Taiwan Railways, will be developed for reference and use by railway system management authorities. Additionally, climate change adaptability education and talent development will be implemented in accordance with the Climate Change Response Act.

 7. Strengthening Sea and Land Transportation Facility Disaster Prevention Capabilities to Maintain Ship Navigation Safety in Taiwan’s Waters and Harbor Operations Development

Bridge foundation protection techniques will be further developed in 2025 to enhance disaster prevention and adaptability for both sea and land transportation facilities. Additionally, technical guidelines for bridge corrosion prevention will be drafted, tools for identifying confined spaces beneath bridge beams will be promoted, and technology for interpreting coastal road images will be developed. These resources will be provided to railway and highway units for facility inspection and monitoring, as well as for disaster prevention applications. In addition, smart environmental monitoring technologies for commercial ports will be developed to improve real-time oceanographic observations, optimize port environmental information networks, develop array marine radars for oceanographic monitoring, and enhance sea simulation technologies, as well as ship monitoring and early warning application modules. These efforts will strengthen commercial ports’ adaptability to climate change responses, resulting in increased ship navigation safety and improved harbor operational management efficiency. Consequently, Taiwan’s commercial port monitoring technology innovations and intelligent upgrades will be enhanced.