Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) – The EU funds pilot projects of 1,3M€

The Platform for the Deployment of C-ITS in the European Union (C-ITS Platform) was launched by the Commission in July 2014. The platform provides an operational instrument for dialogue, exchange of technical knowledge and cooperation, among the Commission, public stakeholders from Member States and local/regional authorities, and private stakeholders such as vehicle manufacturers, service providers, road operators, telecomm companies, Tier 1 suppliers, etc. with the aim to build a shared vision on issues hampering coordinated deployment of C-ITS across the EU and supporting their actual deployment.

Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) make use of information and communication technologies that enable different parts of the road transport system to share information with the aim to contribute to safety and efficiency. They allow vehicles to become connected to each other, to road transport infrastructure and to other road users. In addition to what drivers can immediately see around them, and what vehicle sensors can detect, all parts of the transport system will increasingly be able to share information to improve driver decision making and optimise transport operation.

C-ITS can cover a very wide range of different services. Depending on the nature of the applications (like for instance information supply, awareness, assistance, warning to avoid an accident, traffic management), C-ITS can contribute to improving road safety by avoiding accidents and reducing their severity. Additionally, they can support in decreasing traffic congestion optimising performance and the available capacity of the existing road transport infrastructure, enhancing the vehicle fleet management, increasing the travel time reliability and reducing energy use and thus the negative environmental impact.

Now, the European Commission funds pilot projects in C-ITS of maximum price 1.300.000€ that shall:

• include all relevant networks (such as urban roads, suburban networks, interfaces with motorways) and modes (public transport, freight and logistics; other specifics in the urban environment like car sharing, bike renting schemes, etc. shall possibly also be taken into account)
• provide an open, connected, multimodal and urban environment, where C-ITS services can be tested with large user groups with different needs (including public transport travellers, freight transport and logistic services, commuters, etc…)
• involve partners at all traffic management levels of different operators (e.g. road, public transport) and authorities (e.g. planning, managing, police, etc.) to work together with industry and public and private service providers
• demonstrate the matureness of C-ITS services in the urban environment based on the current state-of-the-art of C-ITS deployment happening on the motorway network
• evaluate the potential of C-ITS services in urban environments to reduce traffic jams and to make urban transport more efficient.