The Committee on Transport and Tourism adopted an own-initiative report by István UJHELYI (S&D, HU) on a European strategy on cooperative intelligent transport systems.
The report noted that new technologies, which include the Cooperative Intelligent Transport System (C-ITS), represent both dramatic progress and a real task for European decision-makers. It noted that the European institutions are lagging behind in this field and cannot keep up with the speed at which the technological revolution is advancing.
Members called for the introduction of interoperable Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) services throughout Europe without delay. They highlighted the need for a clear legal framework to support the deployment of C-ITS.
The report noted the potential of C-ITS to improve fuel efficiency, lowering the cost of individual transport and reducing the negative impact of traffic on the environment. It also highlighted the potential of digital technologies and related business models in road transport and recognised the strategy as an important milestone towards the development of C-ITS and, ultimately, fully connected and automated mobility with a view to making transport seamless and safer, reduce congestion, energy consumption and emissions.
Members underlined the urgent need to establish an ambitious EU strategy that coordinates national and regional efforts and maximises cooperation between different sectors such as transport, energy and telecommunications.
The report called on the Commission to:
present a specific timetable with clear targets for what the EU needs to achieve between 2019 and 2029, to prioritise the deployment by 2019 of those C-ITS services that have the highest safety potential and ensure that these services are available in all new vehicles across Europe;
consider how to address the coexistence on the roads of cooperative, connected and automated vehicles and non-connected vehicles and drivers;
facilitate the exchange of best practices aimed inter alia at achieving economic efficiency;
Members also stated that C-ITS services should be integrated into the Space Strategy for Europe since the deployment of C-ITS is to be based on geolocation technologies such as satellite positioning.
Privacy and data protection: Members drew attention to the importance of applying the EU legislation on privacy and data protection with regard to C-ITS and connected ecosystem data, for which reason these data should, as a matter of priority, be used for C-ITS purposes only and not be retained or used for other ends. Smart vehicles should comply fully with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and related rules.
Cybersecurity: the report pointed to the importance of the application of high standards of cybersecurity in preventing hacking and cyber-attacks in all Member States, particularly in the light of the critical nature of security of C-ITS communications.
Common European approach: the report encourages the Member States and local authorities, vehicle manufacturers, road operators and the ITS industry to implement C-ITS by 2019, and recommended that the Commission, local authorities and Member States designate proper funding under the Connecting Europe Facility, European Structural and Investment Funds and the European Fund for Strategic Investments for the upgrading and maintenance of the future road infrastructure by means of a cross-cutting thematic approach.
It called on the Commission and the Member States to continue to provide funding for research and innovation (Horizon 2020) in full respect of the principle of transparency and with the provision of regular information on EU co-financing.
Members are of the opinion that if no significant progress is made by 2022, legislative action may be required to introduce ‘minimum rules’ and enforce integration in this respect.
The EU and the Member States are encouraged to properly enforce the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the forthcoming directive on accessibility requirements for products and services, in order to achieve barrier-free accessibility to C-ITS for all citizens.
Members recommended that the Commission rapidly establish an adequate legal framework to achieve EU-wide cross-border interoperability and a framework laying down rules on liability for the use of the various forms of connected transport and to publish a legislative proposal on access to in-vehicle data and resources by the end of the year. This proposal should enable the entire automotive value chain and end users to benefit from digitalisation and guarantee a level playing field and maximum security with regard to storage of in-vehicle data and access thereto for all third-parties, which should be fair, timely and unrestricted in order to protect consumer rights, promote innovation and ensure fair, non-discriminatory competition on this market in line with the principle of technological neutrality.
Lastly, the report called on car manufacturers to provide consumers with sufficient and clear information about their rights and the benefits and limitations of new C-ITS technologies in terms of safety.