EU Roadmap for CCAM Development

The European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC) is the European Technology Platform for Road Transport, dedicated to focusing the efforts of public and private resources on essential research activities. In February 2022, ERTRAC published its Roadmap to outline the long-term development of Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) in Europe, setting ambitious goals for 2040 and 2050.

ERTRAC's Vision for 2050: The Future of Road Transport

ERTRAC’s vision for 2050 is to create a fully connected, cooperative, and automated road transport system that will:

Enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability across Europe
Ensure seamless integration between vehicles, infrastructure, and transport modes
Reduce environmental impact, improve mobility, and provide inclusive access to transportation

The roadmap includes short-term actions, Agenda 2023, leading to the long-term Outlook to 2040. These key milestones will guide the development of CCAM technologies over the coming decades

Chapter	Key Messages	Content	Rationale
Agenda 2030	Separate domains develop and offer a large variety of use cases	Describes domains, use cases, and their specific characteristics	Operational agenda for research, regulation, and investments
Outlook to 2040	Use cases widen up and grow together	Explains how use cases and business models will evolve further in the next decade	Links the operational agenda with the long-term vision
2050 Vision	Automation domains are linked; transport modes are synchronized for the benefit of all citizens	Delivers a long-term picture of road transport and its key challenges	Long-term vision

Key Phases of the ERTRAC Roadmap

Agenda 2030 is a critical component of ERTRAC’s roadmap, focusing on operational research, standardization, regulation, and investments across four key domains:

Highways and Corridors
Confined Areas
Urban Mixed Traffic
Rural Roads

These areas represent the most impactful sectors for early and mid-term deployment of CCAM technologies.

1. Highways and Corridors: Empowering Automation and V2X Communication

The Highways and Corridors domain is focused on motorway automation, hub-to-hub truck operations, and cooperative assistance with infrastructure support. The goal is to integrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and V2X technologies into highway corridors, facilitating safer and more efficient travel.

Key Features:

Integration of V2X communication for real-time connectivity
Enhanced safety with low-level automation (L0-L2)
Use of 5G corridors for faster, more reliable communication

This domain will set the stage for advanced platooning and automated driving on highways.

2. Confined Areas: A Testing Ground for Highly Automated Vehicles

Confined Areas, such as logistics terminals, port areas, and bus depots, are ideal for testing and deploying Level 4 (L4) automated vehicles. These areas are controlled and have limited access, which reduces risks and allows for safe experimentation with automation technologies.

Examples:

Automated vehicles in parking lots and terminals
Driverless delivery in closed environments

These areas will help to refine safety and efficiency before broader deployment in open environments.

3. Urban Mixed Traffic: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency in Cities

The Urban Mixed Traffic domain focuses on applying CCAM technologies to metropolitan areas to improve safety and traffic flow. With 38% of EU road fatalities occurring in urban areas, CCAM aims to achieve Vision Zero by 2050—zero fatalities and serious injuries in road traffic.

Key Goals:

Improve traffic safety by reducing human error
Optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion using 5G-V2X technology
Increase accessibility with autonomous on-demand mobility services for people with reduced mobility

Urban areas will benefit significantly from the deployment of automated driving technologies, leading to fewer accidents, reduced energy consumption, and improved social inclusion.

4. Rural Roads: Improving Mobility in Low-Density Areas

Rural roads pose unique challenges for autonomous vehicles, such as wildlife, agricultural machinery, and varying road conditions. However, driverless technology has the potential to greatly improve mobility for people and goods in these areas.

Key Features:

Driverless shuttle services for rural communities
Enhanced safety systems (e.g., Automatic Emergency Braking)
Reduced traffic fatalities—over 50% of EU road fatalities occur on rural roads

By deploying lower-level automation (L1-L2) on rural roads, ERTRAC aims to improve road safety and mobility while addressing the unique challenges faced by these regions.

Outlook 2040: Technological Maturity and Widespread Adoption

The Outlook 2040 phase is a “decade of technological maturity” for CCAM. By 2040, mature products will be fully integrated into transport systems across Europe, with widespread user acceptance of automated vehicles and infrastructure.

Key Developments:

Full market acceptance of CCAM technologies.
Establishment of standards for Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA)
Use of AI-driven decision-making for traffic management

The goal is to have autonomous vehicles operating safely and efficiently across highways, urban areas, and rural roads, improving overall transportation systems.

Vision 2050: Fully Connected, Autonomous, and Sustainable Mobility

By 2050, real-time connectivity will be established across 100% of vehicles, enabling seamless synchronization of all transport modes. 5G-V2X technology will facilitate driverless cars, autonomous shuttles, and delivery vehicles, contributing to a zero-emission and low-congestion transportation system.

Key Goals:

Autonomous shuttles and public transport in cities
Fully automated vehicles on highways with minimal driver intervention
Advanced data security, sensor components, and cloud services for real-time communication and decision-making

However, challenges remain in ensuring safe interactions between autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles, as well as addressing unpredictable road user behavior.

Conclusion: A Path Toward Sustainable, Safe, and Inclusive Mobility

ERTRAC’s roadmap outlines the necessary research, regulation, and infrastructure to make Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) a reality across Europe by 2050. The roadmap’s phases—from Agenda 2030 to Vision 2050—set the stage for a future-proof transport system that benefits society, enhances safety, and supports sustainable mobility.

Key Takeaways:

ERTRAC’s Agenda 2030 lays the foundation for CCAM technologies in highways, confined areas, urban traffic, and rural roads
The Outlook to 2040 focuses on the maturity and market acceptance of these technologies
By 2050, autonomous vehicles, 5G-V2X, and connected transport will transform European mobility, ensuring safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly travel

About Ettifos:

Founded in 2018, Ettifos is a 5G-focused V2X solutions provider invested in enabling the most advanced smart city/smart intersection deployments and connected vehicles (CV) technology.

The company supplies innovative and versatile OBU and RSU systems tailored to customers’ specific project and service requirements, with the vision of connecting all entities in motion to create a world with safer, smarter, and more efficient roads.

2050 Vision: EU Roadmap for CCAM Development