Brussels,

Smart Mobility

MOBILITY & TRANSPORT

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) use digital technologies to make Europe’s passenger and freight transport cleaner, safer and more efficient, while creating new services and jobs. Their benefits, however, depend on a coherent, EU-wide rollout.

The European Commission therefore combines funding for innovative ITS projects with legislation that harmonises standards and removes deployment bottlenecks.

Under the Digital Single Market Strategy, the Commission is accelerating digitalisation across the network and preparing for the next wave of Cooperative ITS, which will let vehicles communicate seamlessly with one another, with infrastructure and with other road users—laying the groundwork for automated mobility.

Creating a common European mobility data space

​The EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy identifies digitalisation—and, in particular, data sharing—as indispensable to making European transport greener, more efficient and more resilient. Yet the vast quantities of data already generated across road, rail, air and maritime operations remain scattered in separate national or private systems.

To overcome this fragmentation, the Commission’s November 2023 Communication proposes a Common European Mobility Data Space (EMDS). Rather than creating one giant database, the EMDS will act as a unifying framework that links existing and future transport-data platforms, sets common technical standards and establishes shared governance rules. Built on wider EU data legislation such as the Data Governance Act and the Data Act, and drawing on mechanisms like the ITS‐Directive National Access Points and the Digital Transport and Logistics Forum, the EMDS will introduce an “interlinking layer” so data from multiple ecosystems can be found, accessed and reused securely.

By turning today’s fragmented information into an interoperable, trusted network, the EMDS will let operators, authorities and users exchange real-time data—from delays to freight availability—thus enabling seamless multimodal travel, smarter logistics and progress towards the European Green Deal and “A Europe fit for the digital age” goals.

The common European mobility data space (EMDS) is expected to transform the way information flows across Europe’s transport system. For passengers it will mean faster, better-informed journeys: real-time data on traffic, delays and multimodal connections should reduce travel times, improve safety and make switching between modes seamless.

Public authorities will gain a richer evidence base for policy and infrastructure planning, supporting cross-border coordination and more targeted investment that strengthens the single market. Businesses—especially small and medium-sized ones—will be able to build innovative services and forge new partnerships once access to high-quality, standardised data is simplified; real-time operational information will help them cut costs and use resources more efficiently.

To catalyse this shift, the Commission is financing preparatory and deployment work through the Digital Europe Programme and the Connecting Europe Facility. Recent actions include a one-year mapping and gap-analysis project that set out the first building blocks of the EMDS, an €8 million three-year deployment call focused on traffic and urban-mobility use cases, a proof-of-concept on personal-data management, and a technical-assistance study addressing governance and architecture.

​A €15 million multi-country call will follow, aimed at establishing a federated data infrastructure and services for the sector. Because the data space must respond to real operational needs, the Commission is inviting continuous feedback from transport stakeholders so that the EMDS evolves organically and leverages existing national and private initiatives across the Union.

Cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM)

The European Commission's project in the realm of Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) represents a significant push towards innovative and intelligent transport systems. This initiative is designed to transform the way people and goods move across Europe, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create a safer, more efficient, and sustainable transport ecosystem.

COM (2016) 766 - "A European strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems, a milestone towards Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility".
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Key Aspects of the CCAM Project:

1. Cooperative Systems: Focus on enabling communication and cooperation between vehicles and infrastructure to enhance traffic efficiency and safety.
2. Connected Mobility: Utilizes advanced connectivity technologies to ensure vehicles can communicate with each other and with traffic management systems, thereby optimizing route planning and reducing congestion.
3. Automated Mobility: Introduces automation in transport, allowing vehicles to operate with minimal or no human intervention, aiming to reduce accidents caused by human error and improve traffic flow.

Despite the ambitious vision and potential benefits of the CCAM project, it encountered a legislative hurdle. A specific Delegated Regulation, which was part of the broader legislative framework intended to facilitate the implementation of the CCAM initiative, did not enter into force. This was due to an objection by the Council of the European Union.
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The objection by the Council indicates differing views or concerns among EU Member States regarding the specifics of the regulation or its implications. Although the exact reasons for the objection aren't specified here, such objections can arise from considerations related to technical standards, privacy concerns, the impact on existing infrastructure, or other regulatory implications.
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The objection and the non-implementation of the Delegated Regulation highlight the complex and multi-faceted nature of introducing transformative technologies in the transport sector. It underscores the need for aligning technological advancements with regulatory frameworks, stakeholder interests, and societal norms to ensure the successful integration of innovative mobility solutions like CCAM into Europe's transport landscape.
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For more detailed information on the CCAM initiative and the Commission's approach to intelligent transport systems, visit Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM).

Road

Intelligent transport systems (ITS) have been part of European road transport for more than two decades—millions of vehicles already use real-time navigation and traffic-management tools. Yet deployment remains fragmented, and the full benefits will only materialise if services and standards operate seamlessly across borders. EU-level coordination can deliver that scale: common technical rules, shared liability frameworks and interoperable data platforms will enable continuous travel-information and traffic-management services, generate economies of scale and accelerate market take-up.

Widespread ITS use supports the EU’s transport objectives. Dynamic traffic-management based on real-time data can cut congestion, shorten trip times and make journeys more comfortable. Safety features are particularly significant: systems such as electronic stability control and automatic emergency-call (eCall) can prevent crashes or speed up rescue responses, reducing injuries and fatalities. Looking ahead, connected and automated driving technologies promise smoother traffic flows, fewer critical situations and new opportunities for growth and jobs.
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Environmental gains, though less developed, are also within reach. By managing demand through electronic tolling or access schemes that vary charges by vehicle type or emissions, ITS can curb congestion-related pollution and contribute to EU climate targets. In short, only an EU-wide, interoperable approach will unlock the full safety, efficiency and sustainability potential of road ITS.

Rail

The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is the EU’s common signalling and control-command platform that replaces national systems and allows trains to run seamlessly across borders. It combines a trackside control-command layer with a GSM-R radio network for voice and data, giving operators real-time speed supervision and greatly improving safety, capacity and interoperability.

More on ERTMS

To complement ERTMS, the EU has adopted two sets of telematics applications that standardise how rail undertakings, infrastructure managers and third-party providers exchange data:

• TAP-TSI – Telematics Applications for Passenger Services harmonise reservation, ticketing, real-time journey information, luggage handling and multimodal connection data.
  Commission Regulation (EU) 454/2011
• TAF-TSI – Telematics Applications for Freight create common data formats for real-time train and wagon tracing, electronic consignment notes, marshalling, capacity booking, invoicing and links to other transport modes.
  Commission Regulation (EU) No 1305/2014

​Both TSIs define the functional and technical standards needed for full interoperability across the Trans-European Rail Network, ensuring that digital systems developed by different operators or vendors can communicate without barriers.

Air

The SESAR project is the European programme to modernise air traffic control infrastructure. SESAR develops the new generation air traffic management system capable of ensuring the safety and fluidity of air transport worldwide over the next 30 years.

Maritime and Inland Navigation

Vessel traffic management including information exchange intends to minimise risks for safety and the environment, while maximising the efficiency of waterborne transport. 

​Harmonised information services support traffic and transport management in inland navigation. The River Information System (RIS) contributes to a safe and efficient transport process and helps utilise the inland waterways to their fullest extent.