As the Impact Monitor project reached its conclusion, we reflect on the substantial advancements made in aviation impact assessment, paving the way for a more sustainable future. Incorporating a groundbreaking system-of-systems approach, the project has achieved several key innovations that strengthen the European Commission’s ability to make informed, science-based decisions in aviation research and innovation (R&I).
Key Innovations and Achievements
Throughout its duration, Impact Monitor has delivered a range of significant outcomes, including:
Collaborative Framework: A collaborative digital framework designed to seamlessly connect and integrate distributed impact assessment models
Impact Assessment Toolbox: A comprehensive document providing guidelines for the complete impact assessment cycle.
Three Multi-Level Demonstration Use Cases: Exeplary use case demonstrating the practical capabilities of the developed framework across various aviation contexts (Advanced Propulsion System, Continuous Descent Operations, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel).
Interactive Dashboard Application: A web-based platform for intuitive data visualization, enabling stakeholders to explore and interpret assessment results effectively.
Identification of key EU R&I projects and stakeholders, fostering productive collaboration and information exchange.
Impact Monitor Academy: An educational initiative aimed at empowering students with practical skills in collaborative impact assessment, ensuring the next generation of aviation professionals is well-equipped for future challenges.
Final Internal Review Meeting
These achievements were showcased at the final internal review meeting held in Brussels on January 29, 2025, attended by the Project Officer, executives from CINEA and the European Commission’s DG-RTD, as well as our committed consortium partners. The meeting highlighted the project’s successes and laid the groundwork for the future.
It is notable that Michael KYRIAKOPOULOS from EC's DG-RTD appreciated the collaborative effort and the systematic framework approach for EU research & innovation. Given the numerous EU projects, this framework can provide valuable support to many initiatives.
On the technical side, Prajwal Shiva PRAKASHA along with Patrick RATEI (DLR) initially shared the project implementation approach and final outcomes of the coherent framework and toolbox, featuring the demonstration by multilevel use cases where simulation models were connected by various partner organizations across Europe. Prajwal also outlined the vision for the next phase of Impact Monitor, emphasizing collaboration with other Horizon Europe and Clean Aviation R&I initiatives, such as EXAELIA, CLAIM, and others.
Michel VAN EENIGE (NLR) then elaborated and presented the guidelines laid out in the final toolbox document, while Marko ALDER and Andrea MANCINI (DLR) explained how openly available digital technologies are integrated to form the foundation of our collaborative framework. Thierry LEFEBVRE (ONERA) demonstrated the multilevel use cases and assessed the robustness of the framework, and Atif RIAZ (CU) showcased the interactive dashboard application for result visualization and exploration. Last but not least, Mario Antonio SOLAZZO (CIRA) explored various R&I initiatives across EU research programs, identifying opportunities that could help shape the selection of preliminary impact assessment studies for the next phase of Impact Monitor.
Following the consortium's presentations, the Project Officers Agnieszka ZAPLATKA and Leonidas SIOZOS-ROUSOULIS (CINEA) provided guidance on project administration and shared insights on interconnections with other EU-funded projects.
Introducing Impact Monitor 2: Expanding Horizons
While the Impact Monitor project has concluded, the journey continues. We are excited to announce the launch of Impact Monitor 2, the next phase of the Impact Monitor initiative. This phase will expand the collaborative framework and enhance the toolbox, enabling preliminary impact assessment studies of SMR and LR aircraft concepts, innovative operations, and aviation-related policies. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Horizon Europe, Clean Aviation (CAJU), and SESAR3 initiatives.
The aforementioned meeting also featured a kick-off presentation by CINEA and valuable insights from representatives of the European Commission’s DG RTD, CAJU, and other EU initiatives, including the PULSAR project.
As we embark on this new chapter, we invite you to stay tuned for more updates. Together, we are setting the stage for the next era of impact assessment in aviation, driving forward the mission of sustainable, innovative, and efficient air transport.