Brussels, 20/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - An intelligent transport system (ITS) expert group has been set in place by the European Commission. Its role is to provide advice on the technical and commercial aspects of the deployment and use of ITS in the EU. The creation of this group was provided for by the ITS directive of 2010, for a rapid deployment of these systems in Europe (by 2017), notably by adopting specifications (functional, technical, organisational and service provision-related) to foster the compatibility and interoperability of the systems.
This European consultative group is made up of 25 representatives of the ITS service providers in question, or user and operator associations, among the other relevant bodies. For instance, it includes representatives of the cities of Warsaw, Lyons and London, the University of Eindhoven, and the car builders Volkswagen and Peugeot-Citroën, the operator Orange, and representatives of road (ASECAP) and rail (ERC). These experts are in place for a term of three years; on the basis of their recommendations, the Commission will draft specifications regarding ITS, but the meetings of the group will also see the exchange of best practice. (MD/transl.fl)