During June 2026, two royal decrees were approved concerning traffic management, road digitalisation and the protection of vulnerable road users.

The first is Royal Decree 450/2026 of 3 June, which establishes the framework for deploying intelligent transport systems in Spain. The second is Royal Decree 518/2026 of 24 June, which amends the General Traffic Regulations concerning the protection of vulnerable road users.

The two pieces of legislation regulate different areas. Royal Decree 450/2026 focuses on data, interoperability and digital transport services. Royal Decree 518/2026 amends traffic rules affecting pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and users of personal mobility vehicles, among other groups.

1. Royal Decree 450/2026 on Intelligent Transport Systems

Royal Decree 450/2026 establishes the framework for the coordinated deployment and use of Intelligent Transport Systems, referred to by the Spanish abbreviation SIT in the legislation.

Its scope covers road transport and its interfaces with other modes of transport. The decree transposes Directive (EU) 2023/2661 into Spanish law and replaces Royal Decree 662/2012, which had regulated this area since 2012.

Intelligent Transport Systems apply information and communication technologies to infrastructure, vehicles, users, and traffic and mobility management.

The decree identifies four priority areas:

  • Information and mobility services.
  • Traffic and transport management services.
  • Applications relating to road safety.
  • Cooperative intelligent transport systems.

The latter, also known as C-ITS and referred to as SIT-C in the Spanish legislation, enable information exchange between vehicles, between vehicles and infrastructure, or between different components of the infrastructure itself.

2. Availability and exchange of traffic data

One of the central elements of Royal Decree 450/2026 is the availability of road and mobility data.

The decree establishes obligations concerning certain data and services within specific geographical areas. The information covered includes data on infrastructure, traffic rules, restrictions, network conditions, incidents, traffic and the availability of certain mobility services.

The royal decree also regulates national access points as digital interfaces for accessing data from different authorities and operators.

Three main nodes are envisaged:

  • The National Access Point for Traffic and Mobility.
  • The National Access Point for Multimodal Transport.
  • The National Access Point for Safe and Secure Parking Areas for Trucks and Commercial Vehicles.

Within a maximum of twenty-four months of the royal decree entering into force, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic must publish a resolution setting out the requirements for exchanging and communicating data to the National Access Point for Traffic and Mobility.

3. Digitalisation of road equipment

ITS applications may include sensors, communication systems, management platforms and devices installed on the infrastructure.

The use of sensors makes it possible to collect information on physical quantities, traffic, environmental conditions, the presence of road users or impacts against particular elements. The data can be sent to platforms or control centres for processing.

In the field of road equipment, Metalesa develops vehicle restraint systems and ITS equipment for high-capacity roads that combine physical protection with monitoring and communication technologies.

PlugSmart® Pro technology enables digital functions to be added to vehicle restraint systems. Meanwhile, Metaurban® SMART integrates sensors, LED lighting and connections to external traffic management systems.

These solutions can measure variables such as temperature, proximity, acceleration and ambient light levels, as well as activate light signals and transmit information to control centres.

4. Royal Decree 518/2026 on vulnerable road users

Royal Decree 518/2026 amends the General Traffic Regulations and other provisions relating to the movement of pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and personal mobility vehicles.

The decree introduces the definition of a vulnerable road user or a road user at greater risk of vulnerability. This refers to anyone who, because of their mode of travel or the physical characteristics of their age group, faces a greater risk of injury or of more severe injuries in the event of an accident.

It also updates concepts such as cycle route, cycle lane, protected cycle lane, cycle track on a pavement, shared-level street, residential priority zone and safe route to school.

The amendments concerning motorcycles include permission to use the hard shoulder in certain congested traffic conditions, compulsory protective gloves on interurban roads, the use of closed footwear and the requirement to carry a high-visibility reflective vest. The royal decree will enter into force on 1 October 2026.

The amendments relate to the design and management of spaces shared by different modes of travel. In infrastructure terms, these spaces may incorporate motorcyclist protection systems, cyclist-pedestrian railings, physical separators, parapets and signalling devices.

5. Two areas of regulation relating to the road network

Royal Decree 450/2026 regulates the coordinated deployment of technologies, data and digital services for road transport. Royal Decree 518/2026 updates traffic rules relating to vulnerable road user safety and urban mobility.

The first concerns the collection, availability and exchange of traffic and mobility information. The second introduces changes to road user behaviour, road-related definitions and traffic conditions.

Together, the two provisions form part of the regulations approved in 2026 concerning traffic management, the digitalisation of road infrastructure and the regulation of different road users.