Telematics Applications in Transport - Introduction
The projects in the Transport sector of the TELEMATICS APPLICATIONS Programme (TAP) develop and validate telematics applications which provide enhanced services to transport users through improved efficiency, safety and environmental quality, taking into account European policy objectives. The programme aims at providing a sound basis for economic growth and the development of the European industry.
User benefits and acceptability as well as compatibility with environmental and energy constraints are demonstrated through validation, integrating telematics services and confirming potential exploitability with accompanying measures in the fields of Trans-European Networks and the Information Society action plan.
The further movement towards standards and development of common functional specifications, practices and guidelines will be ensured.
The research and development work continues and consolidates on telematics in road transport and is extended to cover other transport modes (air, maritime and railways).
The entire telematics chain, from data capture and processing to transmission and reception is covered. Particular attention is given to the needs of users (transport operators and travellers) and emphasis is given to research into
telematics tools common to several transport modes. Importance is given to the need to facilitate the integration of transport services for both freight and people, and to the development of interoperability to support the emergence of multimodal transport services.
The Fourth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (1994-1998, 4th FP) of the European Union was adopted in April 1994; the TELEMATICS APPLICATIONS Programme (TAP, a Specific Programme of the 4th FP) was adopted in October 1994. The Transport sector of the TAP (TAP-Transport) had its first Call for Proposals published in December 1994, and another one in December 1996 (4th TAP call).
Altogether 113 projects have been selected for a budget of about 200 MECU.
76 projects were selected following the first TAP call and started in early 1996, while the other 37 resulted from the fourth TAP call and started at the end of 1997 or the beginning of 1998. Whereas Support Actions as well as
Integrated Applications for Digital Sites (IADS) projects managed by TAP-Transport are included in the above number of projects, 4 projects for a total budget of 5 MECU were, in addition, retained as a result of the joint DG
VII/DG XIII Intermodality call in December 1997. All these projects are contributing to so called vertical areas (Area 1 to 6) as well as to common activities (Area 7 to 9).
Figure 1-1: Concertation Areas in the TAP-Transport sector
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Telematics Applications Programme