EC Adopts Action Plan for Intelligent Transport Systems
December 16, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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The European Commission (EC) took a major step towards the deployment and use of intelligent transport systems (ITS) by adopting an action plan on Dec. 16.
Intelligent transport systems can significantly contribute to a cleaner, safer and more efficient road transport system by applying information and communication technologies to various modes of transport.
Intelligent transport systems can substantially reduce road sector CO2 emissions. In addition, the costs of traffic congestion - estimated at 1% of the European GDP - could be reduced by up to 10% through the deployment of ITS. ITS could also prevent more than 5,000 deaths from road accidents.
"The Intelligent Transport System Action Plan proposed by the commission today will provide much needed policy instruments to complement the work that the Intelligent Car initiative and the eSafety forum have been doing to make cars safer, cleaner and smarter," said Viviane Reding, EC commissioner for information society and media.
"We are determined to drive Europe towards cleaner, safer and less congested road transport, and the early roll-out of life-saving breakthroughs, like ESC and eCall," Reding added.
"Making transport greener, reducing congestion and saving lives on Europe's roads are high priorities for the commission. Intelligent transport systems will help us make progress towards achieving these goals. Today's initiative will therefore foster a more efficient, safer and more sustainable mobility in Europe," said Antonio Tajani, EC vice president responsible for transport.
The EC's action plan suggests a set of concrete measures and a directive laying down the framework for their implementation.
The action plan, launched as part of the Greening Transport initiative (see IP/08/1119), aims to accelerate the deployment of these systems in road transport and their interfaces with other modes of transport.
The EC contends that everyone - from commuters to hauliers - needs reliable, real-time traffic information for better route planning and to avoid delays caused by traffic jams. Multi-modal travel planners will allow seamless travel in and between cities and towns and across borders.
According to the EC, relatively small investments in ITS can allow better use of existing infrastructure. The action plan proposes strong European coordination of ITS and services in various European Union member states to accelerate the deployment of these systems across Europe.
For more information, see EC's web site on Intelligent Transport Systems.
More information on the eSafety forum and the Intelligent Car initiative, launched in 2006 to promote the use of information and communication technologies for smarter, safer and cleaner road transport, is available on EC's eSafety web site.
Source: European Commission.