Intelligent Road Transport Systems

2021/0419(COD)

PURPOSE: to amend Directive 2010/40/EU on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport.

PROPOSED ACT: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) apply information and communication technologies that make mobility safer, more efficient and more sustainable.

Several actions in the scope of Directive 2010/40/EU contribute to the safety of road users, such as eCall, road safety-related traffic information services and safe and secure parking areas. However, in order to be more effective, the 2010 ITS Directive should be adapted to the emergence of new road mobility options, mobility apps and connected and automated mobility. 

CONTENT: the proposed Directive seeks to amend Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport. It aims to: (i) ensure the coordinated and coherent deployment of interoperable Intelligent Transport Systems throughout the EU; (ii) update the Directive in line with new priorities on better multimodal and digital services.

More specifically, the proposal:

- extends scope of the Directive to better encompass emerging services, such as multimodal information, booking and ticketing services (such as apps to find and book journeys that combine public transport, shared car or bike services), communication between vehicles and infrastructure (to increase safety) and automated mobility. It also mandates the collection of crucial data and the provision of essential services such as real time information services informing the driver about accidents or obstacles on the road;

- provides for a new article authorising the Commission to adopt interim measures in the event of an emergency situation that has a severe direct impact on road safety, cyber security or the availability and integrity of ITS services;

- updates rules on data protection and privacy, streamlining the text by removing duplications of existing obligations under data protection rules, e.g. on the security of personal data processed and the need for controllers to comply with their other obligations under data protection rules;

- provides for a new article on the EU Cooperative ITS (C-ITS) security credential management system to ensure the continuous compliance with certain requirements and interoperability ensuring the safety and proper functioning of the system;

- updates rules on the reporting of Member States (common template, common key performance indicators) and of the Commission, as well as updated rules for the adoption of the working programmes of the ITS Directive;

- lists the data types for which availability and accessibility on national access points needs to be ensured by the date indicated for each data type and on the geographical coverage indicated for each data type.