Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024, EPF and the Smart Ticketing Alliance (STA) jointly organised a hybrid workshop on 16 April 2026 in Brussels and online, focusing on the SIGN-AIR project, in which both organisations are partners.

SIGN-AIR centres on developing a centralised platform for managing data-sharing agreements and smart contracts between Transport Service Providers (TSPs), with a focus on user-friendly design to facilitate each stage of the collaboration process and support effective multimodal transport. Together with the University of Belgrade, STA and EPF have also been working on a concept for a multimodal glossary, to foster shared understanding across stakeholders as a key basis for collaboration.

The agenda featured welcome remarks, an introduction to the SIGN-AIR vision, discussions on the role of the glossary in strengthening collaboration, and an exploration of opportunities for data-sharing agreements. Contributions from Delphine Grandsart (EPF), Jaap de Bie (STA), and other participants helped guide the discussion.

The session evolved into a focused and genuinely engaging exchange around a deceptively simple question: how can we ensure that we are all speaking the same language within a multimodal mobility ecosystem?

One of the key topics was whether the sector actually needs another glossary. The emerging consensus pointed in a different direction: rather than enforcing uniform definitions, the priority should be to connect perspectives and recognise that terminology often varies depending on context. This approach embraces and makes transparent these differences instead of attempting to eliminate them. The shift from standardisation to transparency proved to be one of the most thought-provoking aspects of the discussion.

A closely related question followed: is it even realistic to establish a single, fixed terminology across all modes? Mobility systems are shaped by long-standing practices, institutional frameworks, and ingrained habits. Imposing a universal language would likely face resistance. While clarifying context to build shared understanding may take more time, it is ultimately more effective.

Participants also explored how a “living glossary” could function in practice, highlighting it as a flexible and pragmatic tool to support transparency and interoperability across the mobility ecosystem.

We would like to thank all speakers and participants for their thoughtful contributions and lively exchange.

👉 Access the glossary here