Transport currently accounts for one-third of Switzerland's total energy consumption, and is thus the country's biggest energy consumer. Generally speaking, energy consumption in the transport sector has continued to increase during the past few decades. This trend can be primarily attributed to increasing mobility and motorisation, and strong growth in air travel. It has also been furthered by constant population growth and associated demographic factors, as well as by increased purchasing power.

The Transport research programme works closely together with other SFOE research programmes and involved federal authorities (Federal Office for the Environment, Federal Roads Office, Federal Office of Transport, Federal Office for Spatial Development, Federal Office of Public Health, Federal Office for Vocational Training and Technology). Its project partners include the two Federal Institutes of Technology, universities and colleges of technology, and the industry.