Hermann Meyer CEO
ERTICO – ITS Europe
ERTICO is a key player in ITS development and leads a number of innovative projects. What are the highlights achieved in 2008?
Hermann Meyer: In 2008 several new projects began to further develop and deploy ITS systems and services. These projects included a service platform for the connected traveller to plan book and pay ahead for his/her trip using mobile handheld devices (iTravel) the ROSATTE project working to establish an efficient and quality ensured data supply chain from public authorities to commercial map providers with regards to safety-related content and SIMBA II to further strengthen road transport research cooperation between Europe and emerging markets including Russia. Major deployment initiatives were launched focusing on large-scale field operational tests of in-vehicle safety systems (euroFOT) as well as establishing a platform for the strategic networking of existing and future national European and global field operational tests (FOT-Net).
A real highlight in 2008 was the unveiling of the integrated technical platform for vehicle-infrastructure communication by the ERTICO-coordinated Cooperative Vehicle-Infrastructure Systems (CVIS) integrated project. This platform presented in December 2008 in Berlin will be incorporated in the on-board units and roadside units deployed next year at the CVIS test sites. The multi-purpose CVIS platform represents both a first for Europe and a reference for a fully-flexible core available for other projects and for future cooperative system activities.
How do you expect ERTICO to develop in its role as a promoter of ITS in Europe?
HM: ERTICO has played a vital role in supporting the most recent political activities to implement ITS effectively in order to improve mobility and its safety and environmental performance. We gave input to the European Commission and the EU Parliament on the ITS Action Plan the Communication on Urban Mobility the eSafety Forum and the European Commission’s Intelligent Car Communication. Together with the EU Commission and other stakeholders we are working on an appropriate deployment scenario for eCall on more awareness of ESC on the safe integration of nomadic devices into vehicles and on the CO2 reduction potential of ITS.
How will the new ITS Action Plan launched by the European Commission in December 2008 impact ERTICO’s work?
HM: ERTICO has provided input to the ITS Action Plan from an early stage. We welcome the strong commitment of the European Commission to promote the development and implementation of ITS in the EU. ERTICO has long been working for an effective deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems and Services. We welcome the commitment of all EU institutions to bring ITS into the daily life of European citizens and make transport safer greener and more efficient. ERTICO will continue to support the European Commission and other stakeholders on practical solutions for making ITS a reality. ERTICO is already involved in many projects which will help the ITS Action plan to be realized and we are currently working on further activities to support it.
What are ERTICO’s key initiatives for 2009?
HM: ERTICO is already preparing project proposals for the Commission on a variety of issues which will further strengthen its role as the promoter of ITS in Europe. In the Partner Topic Groups in particular there are already exciting preparations for future projects like ITS for clean and efficient mobility intelligent vehicle systems and support to the Intelligent Car Initiative. We are also preparing a showcase of cooperative systems with the Commission and other stakeholders in 2010. The next phase of field operational tests and new concepts for urban mobility are already paving the way to an exciting year ahead.
Another highlight of 2009 will be the ITS World Congress in Stockholm in September which will provide ERTICO Partners and key ITS stakeholders with the opportunity to showcase their ITS solutions to improving every day mobility. All in all I think ERTICO and its Partners are well prepared to take Intelligent Mobility to the next level in 2009.
Link to original Article
http://www.ertico.com/ertico-news-achievements-2008-outlook-for-2009-interview-with-hermann-meyer/
Original Publication Date: Tue 27 Jul 2010
