Answer to Parliamentary Question: Intelligent Transport Systems and Services

Publication date: 20 May 2009

WRITTEN QUESTION by Jim Higgins (EPP-ED) to the Commission

Subject: Intelligent Transport Systems and Services

Could the Commission indicate whether funding is available to support small scale Intelligent Transport Systems and Services projects and, if so, could it clarify the appropriate funding programme(s) for such projects?

Answer given by Mr Tajani on behalf of the Commission

A number of EU support programmes for small scale projects exist notably in the areas of energy (Intelligent Energy Europe), urban transport (CIVITAS) and environment (LIFE). They do not specifically focus on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), although sometimes relating to them.

The Commission has however several support mechanisms especially targetting ITS projects and deployment, although they do not specifically address small scale projects.

The Commission supports the harmonised deployment of ITS in the framework of the funding of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T budget line). The Commission has earmarked in total €300 million for 2007-2013 for the harmonized deployment of ITS for Road. Following a call for proposals, a first slice of €100 million has been allocated to the EasyWay project for the period 2007-2009. Two more budget slices of each €100 million have been provisionally earmarked for ITS deployment projects under the Multi Annual Programme 2007-2013 in order to cover the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 timeframes respectively, which will be attributed following a call for proposals. In addition to the Multi-Annual Programme, funding may also be available under the European Economic Recovery Work Programme. Both programmes are managed by the TEN-T Executive agency, which has just launched on 31 March the 2009 Calls for Proposals. An Info Day to provide background information on the Calls was organised on 22 April 2009. The deadline for submission of proposals is 15 May 2009.

In addition to this funding possibility, the Commission also supports innovation and research in the field of Intelligent Transport Systems and Services, through different programmes such as the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development (especially Theme 3 "Information and Communication Technologies" and Theme 7 "Transport"), or the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (and notably the ICT Policy Support Programme). Numerous research projects on ITS have already benefited form the previous calls for proposals and additional calls are still open.

For further information, please consult the appropriate web sites at:

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/projects/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/infrastructure/ten_t_ea/infoday_2009_en.htm

http://tentea.ec.europa.eu/en/apply_for_funding/follow_the_funding_process/calls_for_proposals_2009.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/esafety/calls/index_en.htm or http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/ict_psp/about/index_en.htm

Source: European Parliament