Intelligent Transport Systems

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) can significantly contribute to a cleaner, safer and more efficient transport system. A new legal framework ( Directive 2010/40/EU ) was adopted on 7 July 2010 to accelerate the deployment of these innovative transport technologies across Europe. This Directive is an important instrument for the coordinated implementation of ITS in Europe. It aims to establish interoperable and seamless ITS services while leaving Member States the freedom to decide which systems to invest in. Under this Directive the European Commission has to adopt within the next seven years specifications (i.e. functional, technical, organisational or services provisions) to address the compatibility, interoperability and continuity of ITS solutions across the EU. The first priorities will be traffic and travel information, the eCall emergency system and intelligent truck parking. The Commission already took a major step towards the deployment and use of ITS in road transport (and interfaces to the other transport modes) on 16 December 2008 by adopting an Action Plan. The Action Plan suggested a number of targeted measures and included the proposal for this Directive The goal is to create the momentum necessary to speed up market penetration of rather mature ITS applications and services in Europe.

The link address is: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/its/road/action_plan/index_en.htm