European Parliament Approves ITS Directive Revision for Smarter Transport in Europe

Overview of the ITS Directive Revision

Last week, on Tuesday, October 3rd, the European Parliament voted to approve the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) Directive Revision, marking a move towards large-scale deployment of intelligent transportation systems across the European Union (EU).

The newly approved revisions, set out by the European Commission, aim to update the Directive to adapt to the emergence of new road mobility options, mobility apps, and connected automated mobility. The ultimate goal is to stimulate faster deployment of new, intelligent services across the EU.

This revision also seeks to address previous shortcomings, including:

Lack of interoperability
Insufficient consultation and cooperation between stakeholders
Limited availability of data

What is the ITS Directive?

Originally devised in 2010, the ITS Directive was created to accelerate the implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems that utilize Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication. This communication connects vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrians to improve road safety, traffic management, and transportation efficiency.

The European Parliament recognized the value of these systems in providing innovative services for different modes of transport and traffic management, allowing users to be better informed, make safer decisions, and use transport networks more efficiently. While some Member States had already begun deploying ITS in their road transport systems, the Directive aimed to ensure a coordinated and effective deployment of ITS across the entire EU.

Challenges and Legal Setbacks

In 2019, the European Commission proposed a Delegated Regulation to provide legal clarity for the deployment of ITS. However, the proposal faced opposition in the Council due to legal and technological concerns, and no act was implemented. As a result, the deployment of ITS relied heavily on voluntary cooperation from stakeholders. This meant that the implementation of ITS within vehicles and road infrastructure was not mandatory, slowing down its full-scale deployment.

Leading Principles for ITS

The European Commission has emphasized several key principles that will ensure the success of ITS across Europe. These principles focus on creating an interference-free zone, ensuring seamless communication, and providing broad availability to all road users.

The Directive includes four leading principles for ITS:

Technology Neutrality: Services should be evaluated based on their end-user and ecosystem value, not the underlying technology. This approach fosters market-led innovation.
Coexistence: Encourages the development of multiple systems that can operate together harmoniously.
Interoperability: Ensures seamless data sharing and communication between various systems and services.
Compatibility: Focuses on ensuring that different technologies and systems can work together effectively.

Key Provisions of the Revised ITS Directive

The newly revised ITS Directive includes several provisions aimed at improving the deployment and functionality of intelligent transport systems across the EU:

Focus on Rural Areas: Special attention is given to the development of ITS in rural areas for social and economic inclusion.
Data Access: National Access Points must ensure that data is easily readable and commonly understood by commercial transport operators.
Digitized Data: The Directive proposes the digitization of data related to vehicles, drivers, and trailers, including electronic proof of compliance.
Integration with eCall System: The integration of electronic consignment notes (eCMR) within the eCall system, enabling emergency responders to access real-time cargo information.
Voluntary Data Sharing: Data sharing between ITS applications and services should be voluntary, ensuring compliance with GDPR for data protection.

Standardization of Message Formats: A call for standardized message formats for communication between connected vehicles, infrastructure, and authorities.
Cybersecurity: Emphasis on minimizing cyber-attacks, ensuring data security, and upholding privacy legislation.

Next Steps for the ITS Directive

The European Commission is required to consult with the European ITS Advisory Group and other relevant stakeholders within 12 months of the Directive’s entry into force. This consultation will help adopt a working program through an implementing act.

Key areas of focus under the Directive’s ‘Priority Area IV’ include:

Development and implementation of specifications for information and warning services.
Establishment of an EU security credential management system for Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS).

While the ITS Directive sets out broad goals, each individual EU Member State will be responsible for devising their own laws and regulations to meet these goals, leading to a more customized approach to implementation.

Conclusion

The approval of the ITS Directive Revision marks a significant step towards a more connected, efficient, and safe transportation system across the European Union. The revisions aim to address past challenges and accelerate the deployment of intelligent transportation systems, benefiting road users and transport operators alike. As countries across the EU begin to implement these measures, the shift towards smarter, connected mobility will provide great impact for the region.

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.

European Parliament Approves ITS Directive Revision