SMARTIness


Hi guys,
How you doing?
First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR (c'on it's still January, it's not too late for greetings!)
Today I would like to tell you about this amazing experience called SMARTI ETN that I am lucky enough to be part of!

SMARTI is a project that has received founding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Programme under the Marie Curie-Sklodowska actions for research, technological development and demonstration. Within a consortium of 30 partners, 19 of which from industry from 8 European countries, USA, Asia and Australia, we (15 fellows) are having the amazing opportunity of a 48 month time frame for learning-by-doing towards the smartening of transport infrastructures in Europe and beyond.  We are developing our own research with the possibility of reaching a Doctoratus Europeus while we periodically receive advanced scientific training courses hold during what we call "SMARTI TRAINING WEEK". During these “thematic” weeks we have the chance to develop our soft and technical skills. Moreover we are supported by secondments that expose us to both academia and industry. 
SMARTI vision is built on 4 pillars, and in particular it is:
  • designed by using improved decision frameworks aimed at improving durability, maximising recycling and minimising environmental, economic and social impacts
  • conceived not for transport purposes only but also towards optimisation of land use by adding energy harvesting capabilities
  • equipped with low-cost, wireless sensors to allow pro-active communication aiming for a more intuitive use and a simplified management
  • conceived to self-repair and be adaptable to changes due to natural and anthropogenic hazards.
We already attended 3 SMARTI training weeks, the first two organised by University of Nottingham and the third one by University of Palermo. We improved our knowledge in road pavement, railway, sustainability but we also improved soft skills like communication and dissemination. 



But, of course, it's not all about seriousness. We really enjoy each other company and now, almost one after we first met, I can say this is a really nice bonded group. Having dinner and a beer after an intense day of training all together is always a pleasure!



Next training week is going to be organised by IFSTTAR in 3 days in Paris and Nantes. A whole week focused on "MULTI-FUNCTIONAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURES". 
Can't wait for it! 

Ps: we are going to have our mid-term review from the EU commission so wish us good luck!

Later :) 

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