ICTs for Safer, More Efficient Transport

• i2010: one of the i2010's three pillars is to foster Inclusion, better public services and quality of life through ICTs.
  • As part of the i2010 implementation, a Flagship Initiative on Intelligent Cars has been launched to tackle transport-related societal problems and accelerate the uptake of intelligent vehicle systems.
  • It builds on the eSafety Initiative, a public-private partnership between European Commission and stakeholders to accelerate the development, deployment and use of Intelligent Integrated Safety Systems to reduce accidents on European roads.
  • An example of such an intelligent Safety System is eCall, where cars automatically dial 112 - the European emergency number - to reach the nearest emergency center in the event of a crash. This should save up to 2.500 lives in the European Union each year. Read the eCall Factsheet and press pack as well as the 112 Factsheet
• Wider Context - Transport Policy: "Sustainable mobility for our continent" (June 2006), the mid-term review of the "European Transport Policy for 2010", "puts an increased emphasis on intelligent transport systems ...", incorporating initiatives such as Galileo, smart charging and a major programme to roll out intelligent infrastructure for road transport.
• The Privacy Enhancing Technologies page covers projects in various Commission programmes aimed at minimising risks such as identity theft, discriminatory profiling, continuous surveillance and fraud.

Research: Europe has co-funded ICT developments to improve transport safety and efficiency, and to reduce fuel consumption and pollution, for many years.

See the IS Research theme for an introduction to EU research, browse some relevant Example Projects, and visit the following sites for details:

• The EU's new ICT research programme (FP7, 2007-2013) includes two relevant Challenges:
  • Mobility, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency: intelligent vehicle systems, new mobility services and more;
  • Components, systems and engineering: intelligent electronics and embedded systems to boost European industries as diverse as semiconductors, transport and industrial automation.
• Similarly, under FP6 (2002-2006):
  • Two Strategic Objectives address transport directly: see ICT for Transport;
  • Embedded systems: computers "hidden" in everyday devices, from mobile phones to cars and planes.

Other Activities:

• Galileo: services based on Europe's satellite navigation system will be used throughout the transport sector, with transport applications playing a key role in developing intelligent transport systems and services;
• Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment: one of the key actions outlined in the Commission's Sixth Environment Action Programme, this includes specific actions related to urban transport , both of which can benefit from ICTs;
• CIVITAS: supports cities pioneering urban transport development;
• Marco Polo II, like the original Marco Polo Programme, aims to shift road freight off Europe's roads, particularly via sophisticated logistics to support intermodal transport.

Highlights from the Transport Newsroom and Library:

• News: Driving safely when using in-vehicle ICT systems (7 February 2007)
• Press Pack: Press pack - Bringing eCall back on track (11 December 2006)
• Brochure: Information Society and Transport (October 2006)
• Press Pack: Intelligent cars: life-saving technologies need stronger support (21 February 2006)
• Factsheet 44: 112 - the single European emergency number
• Factsheet 48: eSafety - Improving road safety using information and communication technologies  (February 2006)
• Factsheet 49: eCall (February 2006)
• For the latest Transport news, publications and more from the Newsroom & Library, see right hand column, or select Economy & Work when you subscribe to the Portal Newsroom Update;