MEPs of the European Parliament's ‘Transport’ Committee largely adopted (33 votes in favour, 3 against, 0 abstentions), on Thursday 22 November, the own-initiative report drafted by Wim van de Camp (EPP, Netherlands), and are calling on the European Commission to present a strategy regarding data, data access and cyber security in relation to autonomous mobility.
This question of data was one of the main points of debate on this vote, echoing the draft own-initiative report by Mr van de Camp (see EUROPE 12073), which had been favourably received by MEPs from the Parliament’s ‘Transport’ Committee in August (see EUROPE 12084). This text should be seen in conjunction with the European Commission's communication of 17 May last, published at the same time as the proposals of the third ‘mobility’ package (see EUROPE 12019, 12022).
Two compromise amendments were in the balance. The first, supported in particular by the EPP and ALDE, aimed to ask the Commission to present a data strategy in the context of mobility automation. The second, supported by the S&D and GUE/NGL groups, was stronger and advocated legislative action. It was therefore ultimately the first compromise, which was more favourable to car manufacturers, that won the day.
The final text also emphasises the need to ensure legal certainty as to the conformity of autonomous vehicles with EU privacy legislation. The Commission is therefore invited to specify which generated data could fall within the public and private domains.
MEPs also supported a “clear regime governing liability” for interaction between vehicles, infrastructure and road users. They point out that the texts currently in force at EU level are not adapted to the challenges of autonomous mobility.
And several recommendations were also adopted concerning the different types of transport. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)