'IKT Schlüssel zur Reduzierung von Verkehrstoten, Verschmutzung und Staus'[en] 

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There is a lot of talk of 'Intelligent Transport Systems'. What do you understand by these? Are they already on the market and in use? 

ITS or Intelligent Transport Systems and Services, are the convergence of transport infrastructure, vehicle technology and information and communication technology. 

In order to keep Europe moving, people and goods need to be connected with information. This is already happening and, by sharing vital information, ITS allows people to get more from transport networks, in greater safety and with less impact on the environment. 

This convergence is an important step on the path to seamless mobility. 

In the beginning, we imagined the convergence of information technology with vehicle technology and transport infrastructure. This is what we call first generation ITS and it includes such innovations as anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, adaptive cruise control, night vision, lane departure warning systems and blind spot monitoring. 

Second generation ITS offers direct interaction between vehicles and infrastructure thanks to the convergence of first generation ITS with advances in communication technology. 

By incorporating the latest in communication technologies, ITS has become more affordable and heterogeneous and is able to benefit from permanent connectivity and standard interfaces between vehicles and the infrastructure, as well as other vehicles. 

In such a co-operative environment, one can take advantage of online services, such as the pan-European in-vehicle automatic emergency call technology, eCall. 

Other online services include pay as you drive tolling and insurance, breakdown assistance and the tracking of hazardous goods and stolen vehicles. 

Now, also, the introduction by phone companies of GPS and low-cost mapping is taking applications a new level, moving them off the vehicle and into your pocket. This focus on connecting travellers and goods with the information necessary to benefit from greater mobility is what characterises third generation ITS. 

For this to be achieved however, we need a platform that is open, secure, certified and configurable. Future vehicles will need to be equipped with various communication means to interact with each other and their environment, based on a common architecture and standard interfaces. 

Drivers and occupants would then be able to rely on onboard, integrated telematics systems to access a dynamic offer of on-line safety-, efficiency- and comfort-enhancing services, wherever they drive in Europe, with a single system, contract and invoice. 

The GST Integrated Project, which is supported by the Commission and coordinated by ERTICO-ITS Europe, has for the last three years been developing such an overall architecture for end-to-end telematics service delivery. 

There are basically three major challenges relating to road transport nowadays: road safety, pollution and congestion. What can ICT contribute to EU policies in these areas? For example, firstly, how can ITS help to meet the EU's goal of halving number of deaths on our roads? 

Advances in passive safety systems - including features such as protective structures, airbags and sophisticated seatbelt systems - have made cars considerably safer over the last decade. 

Subsequently, European road fatalities have decreased by 50% over the last 15 years. However, despite such improvements, more than 40,000 people die and 1.7 million are injured annually on Europe’s roads. 

Further progress in reducing these numbers cannot be achieved by merely ensuring the best possible protection when an accident occurs. Greater attention must be devoted to developing and deploying systems that intervene before the accident happens. 

By decreasing the driver’s workload, detecting dangers and providing the necessary support in hazardous situations, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) could save a considerable number of lives every year. 

Studies show that at least 93% of accidents are caused by human error, so the case for increased driver assistance is clear. Whether due to poor perception of danger or mistaken interpretations of driving conditions, ill-advised decision-making causes the majority of accident-producing situations. 

Several systems can address this problem, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) that prevents rear-end collisions. These systems hold great potential, with estimates showing that as many as 4,000 accidents could be avoided if as few as 3% of European cars were fitted with ACC. 

These applications are designed to protect not only vehicle occupants, but also other potentially vulnerable traffic participants, such as pedestrians and cyclists. So the potential is enormous. 

To accelerate the development and deployment of these life-saving technologies, ERTICO, the European Commission and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) launched the eSafety Initiative in 2002. It aims to create the necessary partnerships and leadership, both at the business and policy levels, around one safety vision and one overall integrated programme of action supported by all players. 

According to Commission estimates, congestion costs the EU roughly 0.5% of GDP or €50 billion per year and this cost could rise to 1% by 2010 if nothing is done. Can ICT offer any solutions in terms of reducing congestion? 

ITS, coupled with appropriate investments in infrastructure, can definitely help increase the efficiency of our transport networks. 

For example, collecting and delivering real-time information to urban traffic control centres can help infrastructure operators manage traffic more efficiently, potentially reducing standstill traffic and congestion by up to 40%, according to recent estimates. 

In fact, ITS technology has already made great strides to improve the efficiency of the road network. Systems such as co-ordinated traffic control, variable message signs and traffic and incident detection systems have been implemented across Europe to monitor road conditions and provide quick and smooth journeys. 

Second generation ITS also offers a better understanding of vehicles' destinations and can minimise delay in the road network by identifying the quickest routes and informing drivers of them. By warning drivers of congestion and accidents and allowing them to find alternative routes, traffic information applications improve traffic flow and help drivers avoid potentially dangerous situations. 

Also, technology could allow local junctions to communicate with each vehicle or vehicle 'clusters' enabling synchronisation, so as to create 'green waves' that result in the reduction of waiting times and lead to less fuel consumption and lower emissions. 

The EU will shortly be presenting legislation that will oblige carmakers to produce less polluting cars (down to 120 grammes of CO2 per km by 2012). Can information technologies offer any assistance? 

Yes, ITS technology designed to improve travel efficiency can also bring corresponding benefits to the environment. 

Research shows that the fuel consumption of road transport could be reduced by up to 50% by encouraging efficient driving behaviour and reducing traffic congestion. 

Navigation systems alone enable drivers that are trying to find parking or go to unfamiliar places to drive 18% fewer kilometres, according to studies. 

By improving the flow of information among vehicles and infrastructure, we can create a smoother, more flexible traffic flow of people and goods. 

But aren’t these "intelligent systems" very expensive? Does that explain why they are not used more? Are they really a realistic solution? 

What's important is to raise awareness important among car drivers, because once a mass market is created, costs will decrease heavily. 

It took 20 years to introduce ABS, for example. But there are now a whole range of relatively cheap and mature technologies that already exist. 

We have to look at how we can speed up their deployment, through awareness campaigns and incentives to speed up the deployment of ITS, to achieve safety, efficiency and environmental benefits. 

As for the price, I think that active safety systems will become standard in many vehicles and thus become an integrated part of the price of the vehicle. 

Also, convergence between systems – so between mobile and portable systems and in-vehicle systems – will further drive down the total hardware costs for the end user. 

Do you think the EU is doing enough to promote the uptake of such ICT technologies? What positive initiatives already exist at Community level and what more is needed? 

The EC has initiated the eSafety programme and the road safety action plan to bring together all stakeholders to identify and work on the update of ICT technologies.

Today the EC and member states have mostly used the voluntary principle for the take up. But, member states could be more important players, for example, by providing incentives for end users to buy these systems. 

Also, insurance companies could play a role here to ensure a faster uptake.