Trans-European transport networks - prospects for intelligent transport systems
The European Commission, DG VII, has published a brochure outlining the prospects for the development of intelligent transport systems in Europe in the framework of the trans-European transport networks (TENs). The brochure includes details of the EU's objectives for intelligent transport systems in sectors including road transport, rail transport, inland waterways, air traffic control, shipping information and management and navigation and satellite positioning systems. The TENs guidelines, adopted in July 1996, identify four priority areas for initiatives: - Development of traffic data collection; - Monitoring of road and weather conditions; - Management of traffic through Traffic Control Centres and Traffic Information Centres; - Implementation of traffic information services. The funding available for projects in this area under the transport TENs budget could reach ECU 100 million between 1995 and 1999, with some ECU 35 million already allocated for studies in 1995 and 1996. The brochure is accompanied by a number of fact sheets, outlining in greater detail the work of a number of intelligent transport systems projects supported by the TENs budget. These projects are in three groups, Community-wide projects, projects covering several Member States and national and regional projects.