Brussels, 11/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 10 May, after consultation with the European Parliament, the EU Council of Ministers approved its common position on the directive for deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in the field of road transport. As in the initial proposal presented by the European Commission in December 2008, it will be up to the Commission to adopt technical specifications for ITS services and applications. First and foremost, the Commission is expected to legislate in four priority areas with a view to: - optimal use of road traffic and travel data; - continuity of traffic and freight management ITS services; - ITS road safety and security applications; - and linking the vehicle with the transport infrastructure. Within a 12-month period following adoption of the specifications, and after an impact assessment and cost analysis, the Commission is expected to present a plan of action to the European Parliament and Council for deployment of these systems. The final decision concerning deployment of ITS on the territory of a member state will be up to the national authorities, the Council says, but once the go-ahead for deployment has been received, the choice of ITS technology should comply with criteria adopted by the Commission. For each of these fields, the Council has also defined priority measures aimed at setting up these systems more speedily. Six of them should benefit from absolute priority. Thus, according to member states, the Commission should present specifications for ITS making it possible to: - provide information in real time on traffic everywhere in Europe; - provide pan-European information services on transport using a combination of transport modes; - define data and procedures for ensuring minimum traffic information that is both universal and free of charge, in relation to road safety; - harmonise and make e-Call systems interoperable; - provide information on safe parking places for commercial vehicles and HGVs; - and provide reservation services for such parking places. The European Parliament, whose position in first reading was largely taken on board by the Council, is expected to take a stance on the text in June. (A.By./transl.jl)