TEPR projects: Intelligent Transport Systems

The development and implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) – and particularly Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) – pave the way for autonomous (or self-driving) vehicles. Currently ITS tend to focus on the provision of information to drivers and other users of the transport network, e.g. about potential disruptions to their journey. For vehicles to be self-driving, they will have to communicate with each other and with infrastructure, on a frequent, if not continuous, basis.

ITS potentially have many advantages, e.g. in terms of improved road safety and improved efficiency of road use. However, they also pose many challenges for technology and for policy. In order to support the development and implementation of ITS and C-ITS in Europe, the policy framework is being developed at the EU level. This is important to ensure that the same high standards for privacy, security and safety are implemented across the continent and that vehicles travelling between different countries can benefit the services available.

As the technology is developing quickly, the EU’s ITS Directive (Directive 2010/40) needs to keep up-to-date with developments, while a policy framework for C-ITS is also needed. TEPR is currently working on the following project, as part of a consortium:

• Impact assessment support study for the new proposal addressing market challenges for the development of multimodal digital mobility services and a cost-benefit analysis for the revision of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1926 on multimodal travel information services, for the European Commission. TEPR is leading on the stakeholder engagement.

In addition, TEPR has supported the European Commission on:

• Impact Assessment support study for the revision of the ITS Directive 2010/40/EU. TEPR was part of consortium that undertook this project for the European Commission (see our blog for more details).
• Ex-post evaluation of the ITS Directive 2010/40/EU, which involved a literature review, the development of case studies and extensive stakeholder engagement.
• Support study for Impact Assessment of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems, which involved the development of options for the future policy framework supporting C-ITS. It included extensive stakeholder engagement, including an analysis of the results of the Open Public Consultation.