Public funding guidelines

The 2011 White Paper on Transport calls for a concerted and interoperable roll-out of Intelligent Transport Systems and Services in direct support of the achievement of a pan-European co-modal and truly integrated transport system by 2050.

Developing awareness for the unleashed potential of ITS and documenting its pros and cons compared to just adding more hard infrastructure should boost acceptance of this type of investments as a valid option for mobility-related problem solving.

As investment decisions typically are steered by perceived benefits and costs and also require appropriate policies and frameworks, the Commission services have commissioned a study under the terms of the ITS Action Plan (Action 6.3) on existing (national) policies and procedures with regard to the funding of ITS in Europe and beyond. Community funding frameworks and applicable rules (e.g. cohesion funds, framework programmes, competitiveness and innovation programme…) however have not been assessed in detail.

The aim of the initiative completed in 2011 was:

- to screen existing frameworks for the deployment and operation of ITS from an economical and financial perspective in light of taking stock of best practices and indicators applied to judge effectiveness of the action, and

- to assess applicable mechanisms in light of, potentially, the identification of common elements and/or the minimum framework (requirements) to be put in place to support a correct positioning and consideration of ITS in mobility-related decision-making processes.

Finally the study provides recommendations to further enhance awareness and understanding of ITS and to foster harmonised approaches in Europe when it comes to funding, investment, deployment and evaluation.

In light of enhanced awareness for the potential and role of ITS the study results are made publically available.

Guidelines for public funding of Intelligent Transport Systems