Jun 24, 2020
To implement and deploy new mobility solutions effectively, a collaborative and European approach is important. Especially in challenging times, it is essential to create awareness of European solutions and to promote them. Because mobility does not stop at borders. We have summarised the effects that EU projects can have here with a few examples.
The INFRAMIX project was successfully completed in May 2020. Within the project it could be shown that by supporting the infrastructure, the efficiency and safety in "mixed traffic" - that is with automated and non-automated vehicles - can be increased. Due to the European orientation of INFRAMIX, findings and results could be successfully introduced into the European discussion. An example are the ISAD classes developed in the project, which are to support the coordination for the implementation of components of the digital infrastructure and are already discussed on a European level.
The ICT4CART project is developing communication solutions for the long-term transition to Connected Automated Driving (CAD) (at SAE Levels 3 and 4). The development of such solutions only makes sense on a common level (at least European). In order to demonstrate the wide range of possible applications of the architecture, four use cases were defined, which play an essential role in the use of automated mobility. In the cities of Ulm and Verona, for example, the topic of smart parking and IoT services in urban areas is being addressed and the supposedly largest possible accident scenarios of automated vehicles are being examined. On motorways near Graz and Trento, infrastructure adaptations in higher automation levels are being tested and on the Brenner motorway on the Austrian-Italian border, cross-border interoperability is being tested. C-ITS messages can be sent via the WLAN-based ITS-G5 network or via the cellular network. The method is chosen by each state. In order to ensure that automated driving at border crossings functions smoothly, the hybrid communication structure of ICT4CART will be installed and tested at the border.
The ARCADE project also shows long-term development opportunities for Connected and Automated Driving (CAD). In order to continue to act in a coordinated manner at European level in this dynamic area of automated and networked driving, the CAD Knowledge Base was set up in 2019. This database provides an overview of CAD projects and activities in Europe and facilitates the exchange between stakeholders.
However, not only the cooperation itself is important, but also the shared results and a common learning curve. In the development of concepts and pilot projects, the recognition of errors is just as important as results. By sharing the knowledge gained, other, subsequent projects can take this up and make faster progress. An exciting aspect here is also a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches in projects such as Dynaxibility4CE, which primarily addresses cities. The project aims to improve the ability of transport authorities to deal with new trends by developing strategies and tools for them to strengthen their planning capacities, thus making them key actors in the creation of decarbonised and low-emission mobility systems in our cities and regions. In the cities one is closer to the citizens and their problems, which arise in the mobility system. Cities can therefore also implement changes quickly. The experiences that are gathered selectively must be channelled and brought to the European level.
National pilot projects can be the starting point for international cooperation. One example is the SHOW project. Following the demonstration of automated shuttles in many countries at national level, 69 partners from 13 countries have now joined forces to share and standardise the experience gained so far and to develop uniform guidelines and recommendations for the use of automated shuttles in urban public transport.
The focus is on the development of use cases, possible business models, technical and legal foundations and approval processes. In the future, potential operators (e.g. transport companies) wishing to establish and operate a shuttle system should be able to refer to the recommendations developed in SHOW. This should result in time and cost savings.
An overview of all current and completed projects of AustriaTech can be found in our project overview.
