EU steers its way towards intelligent transport systems

A coherent EU-wide framework for interoperable transport systems is the aim of a proposal adopted by EU transport ministers today. Following negotiations with the European Parliament, the European Council today approved a proposal for a directive on the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the field of road transport.

The Council adopted its position at first reading on the ITS directive proposal. The text will now be transmitted to the Parliament for a second reading, which is due to take place in June. If the Parliament accepts the Council's position, the directive will be considered adopted in this form.

The objective of the draft directive is to accelerate and coordinate deployment of interoperable ITS in road transport, including interfaces with other transport modes, by creating the necessary conditions and mechanisms through a coherent EU-wide framework.

The Council agreed on a two-step approach paving the way for swift introduction of ITS through EU legislation: first, the Commission adopts the necessary specifications for the ITS applications and services concerned; then, within 12 months and, where appropriate, after an impact assessment, the Commission presents a proposal for deployment of those ITS to the European Parliament and the Council, which will jointly decide for or against the proposal. In any case, EU Member States will have the final say on whether or not to deploy an ITS application or service on their territory. However, if they do so, they must respect the specifications adopted under the directive.

Intelligent transport systems integrate innovative information and communication technologies with transport engineering and traffic management. They are intended to enhance road safety, improve transport efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of transport. To foster the deployment of ITS, the directive defines priority areas and priority actions within those areas. The Commission will have the task of adopting specifications for the actions planned in the priority areas. The priority areas and corresponding main actions outlined in the draft directive include:

• optimal use of road, traffic and travel data priority actions: EU-wide multimodal travel and real-time traffic information services as well as road safety related minimum universal traffic information services
• continuity of traffic and freight management ITS services (actions: e.g. ensuring information flow; tracking and tracing of freight)
• ITS road safety and security applications priority actions: EU-wide eCall services as well as reservation and information systems services for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles
• linking the vehicle with the transport infrastructure (actions: e.g. systems for exchange of data or information between vehicles, infrastructures and between vehicle and infrastructure).

Position of the Council at first reading with a view to the adoption of Directive of the Eruopean Parliament and of the Council on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other transport modes (first reading)

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other transport modes