The European Commission has approved new rules to accelerate the deployment of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (CIT-S) on the EU’s roads.
The cooperative intelligence technology, to be implemented in line with EU clean mobility targets, allows vehicles to communicate with each other and the surrounding infrastructure. In doing so, it is hoped, road transport across the EU can become cleaner, safer and more efficient, mobilising interconnectivity and interoperability solutions to modernise the transport sector. With the EU committed to working towards near-zero road fatalities and injuries by 2050 as part of the Vision 2050 initiative, as well as its long-stated goal of achieving full climate neutrality by 2050, road transport has come under scrutiny as a prevalent issue.
From 2019, newly built vehicles, motorways and road signs will be fitted with technology to allow them to send preset messages to vehicles up to a kilometre away, informing drivers of delays, safety hazards and other traffic issues. The integration of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems into new cars is expected to cost the manufacturer around €300 per unit; and the sharing of traffic information between vehicles will by fully compliant with European data protection restrictions: only essential data will be shared, with the identities of drivers and vehicles kept strictly private.
Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, said: “This decision gives vehicle manufacturers, road operators and others the long-awaited legal certainty needed to start large-scale deployment of C-ITS services across Europe, while remaining open to new technology and market developments. It will significantly contribute to us achieving our ambitions on road safety; and is an important stepping stone towards connected and automated mobility.”
Having received the approval of the European Commission, the rules governing the implementation of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems will be open to potential opposition from the European Parliament and Council for two months before entering into force.
