Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of transport (1994-1998) (94/C 228/12) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(94) 68 final - 94/0090(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 30 March 1994)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130i (4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,

Whereas, by Decision . . ./. . ./EC, the Council and the European Parliament adopted a Fourth Framework Programme for Community activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) for the period 1994-1998 specifying inter alia the activities to be carried out in the field of transport; whereas this Decision takes account of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision;

Whereas Article 130i (3) of the Treaty specifies that the Framework Programme shall be implemented through Specific Programmes developed within each activity under the framework programme and that each Specific Programme shall define the detailed rules for implementing it, fix its duration and provide for the resources deemed necessary;

Whereas this programme will be carried out mainly through shared-cost activities, concerted activities and preparatory, accompanying and support measures;

Whereas, in accordance with Article 130i (3), an estimate should be made of the financial resources needed to carry out this Specific Programme; whereas the final amounts will be decided upon by the budgetary authority in accordance with the relative priority assigned to the areas covered by this programme within activity I under the Fourth Framework Programme;

Whereas Decision . . ./. . ./EC (Fourth Framework Programme) lays down that the overall maximum amount of the Fourth Framework Programme will be re-examined by 30 June 1996 at the latest with a view to its being increased; whereas, as a consequence of this re-examination, the amount deemed necessary to carry out this programme could increase;

Whereas this programme may make a significant contribution to growth, strengthening competitiveness and the development of employment in the Community, as indicated in the White Paper on 'Growth, Competitiveness and Employment' (2);

Whereas the Commission communication to the Council on the future development of the common transport policy (3) states that the prime objective of research for a European transport policy is to contribute to the development, integration and management of a more efficient and safer transport system that respects the environment and the quality of life, in order to promote sustainable mobility of people and goods;

Whereas the development of trans-European transport networks facilitating network access, interconnection and inter-operability will have a predominant role in creating an open, competitive market; whereas the research activities must be concentrated on the conditions necessary to network inter-operability and interconnection, particularly as regards intermodality and access possibilities; whereas they must promote the design and management of infrastructures compatible with a safer environment for the user and with a better quality/price ratio;

Whereas the research activities for a common transport policy must be focused at the strategic European level on modelling and transport scenarios with a view to gaining a better understanding of transport demand and of the impact of transport systems in Europe;

Whereas, in order to optimize trans-European transport networks, the research activities must contribute to developing the efficiency of transport modes and of individual operators, enhancing the scope for intermodal operations, improving accessibility for users and supporting the development of multimodal transport at the urban, rural, regional and trans-European levels;

Whereas the achievement of these objectives requires a European approach to research activities in the field of transport, particularly with a view to exploiting the synenergies between the various specific activities, at national and Community level, and those conducted by other international organizations;

Whereas the RTD activities must be system-oriented and integrated, and take account of the strategic goals of European transport policy and the results of research conducted within the other themes of the first activity, in order to devise specific solutions applicable to the transport sector;

Whereas the research activities in this field will primarily concern the identification of needs calling for new technologies, and the evaluation, integration and global validation of technological innovations;

Whereas this research must also attach particular importance to ergonomics and human factors in an operational framework and to defining a new, harmonized set of methods for evaluating the global impact of European transport systems with a view to optimizing the trans-European networks;

Whereas several concerted activities in the field of transport research are carried out in the framework of European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research (COST); whereas some activities provided for in this programme may follow on from or supplement those concerted activities;

Whereas the content of the Fourth Framework Programme for Community RTD activities was established in accordance with the subsidiarity principle; whereas this specific programme sets out the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance with this principle in the field of transport;

Whereas Decision . . ./. . ./EC (Fourth Framework Programme) lays down that Community action is justified if inter alia the research helps to reinforce the economic and social cohesion of the Community and to encourage its harmonious development while at the same time meeting the objective of scientific and technical quality; whereas this programme is intended to help meet these objectives;

Whereas this programme will help to strengthen synergy between the RTD activities carried out in the field of transport by research centres, universities and enterprises, in particular SMEs, in the Member States and between the latter and the corresponding Community RTD activities;

Whereas the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres (including the JRC) and universities and the rules governing the dissemination of research results specified in the measures provided for in Article 130j of the Treaty apply to this Specific Programme;

Whereas, in accordance with Article 130m of the Treaty, it may be appropriate to engage in international cooperation activities with international organizations and third countries other than the countries covered by the EEA Agreement for the purpose of implementing this programme;

Whereas this programme also comprises activities for the dissemination and utilization of RTD results, in particular targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, and in particular those in Member States or regions which participate least in the programme, and schemes for promoting the mobility and training of researchers within this programme to the extent necessary for proper implementation of the programme;

Whereas provision should be made for measures to encourage the involvement of SMEs in this programme, in particular through technology promotion measures;

Whereas an assessment should be made of the economic and social impact and any technological risks arising from the activities carried out under this programme;

Whereas progress with this programme should be continuously and systematically monitored with a view to adapting it, where appropriate, to scientific and technological developments in this area; whereas in due course there should be an independent evaluation of progress with the programme so as to provide all the background information needed in order to determine the objectives of the Fifth RTD Framework Programme; whereas at the end of this programme there should be a final evaluation of the results obtained compared with the objectives set out in this Decision;

Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has been consulted;

Whereas the JRC may participate in the indirect activities covered by this Programme;

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

A specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of transport, as set out in Annex I, is hereby adopted for the period from . . . to 31 December 1998.

Article 2

1. The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme is ECU 240 million, including 8,5 % for staff and administrative expenditure.

2. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex II.

3. The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme, as indicated above, could increase as a result of and in accordance with the Decision referred to in Article 1 (3) of Decision . . ./. . ./EC (Fourth Framework Programme).

4. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations available for each financial year in accordance with the scientific and technological priorities set in the Fourth Framework Programme.

Article 3

Detailed rules for implementing this programme, in addition to those referred to in Article 5, are set out in Annex III.

Article 4

1. The Commission shall continually and systematically monitor with appropriate assistance from independent, external experts, the progress within this programme in relation to the objectives set out in Annex I. It shall in particular assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate. It shall submit proposals to adapt or supplement this programme depending on the results of this monitoring process.

2. In order to contribute to the overall assessment of Community activities provided for in Article 4 (2) of the Decision adopting the Fourth Framework Programme, the Commission shall, in due course, have an assessment made by independent experts of the activities carried out in the field directly covered by this programme, and of their management during the five years preceding the assessment.

3. At the end of this programme, the Commission shall instruct independent experts to conduct a final evaluation of the results achieved compared with the objectives set out in Annex III to the Fourth Framework Programme and Annex I to this Decision. The final evaluation report shall be forwarded to the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee.

Article 5

1. A work programme shall be drawn up by the Commission in accordance with the objectives set out in Annex I and shall be updated where appropriate. It shall set out in detail the scientific and technological objectives and specify the stages in the implementation of the programme and the proposed financial arrangements.

The work programme may also make provision for participation in certain Eureka activities.

2. The Commission shall issue calls for proposals for projects on the basis of the work programme.

Article 6

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme.

2. In the cases provided for in Article 7 (1) below the Commission shall be assisted by an advisory committee consisting of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The Commission representative shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall give its opinion on this draft within a period which the chairman may determine on the basis of the urgency of the issue, if necessary by taking a vote.

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

Article 7

1. The procedure laid down in Article 6 (2) shall apply to:

- the preparation and updating of the work programme referred to in Article 5 (1),

- the evaluation of the RTD projects proposed for a Community contribution and of the estimated amount of this contribution on a project basis, where this amount exceeds ECU 0,4 millions.

- the measures to be taken to evaluate the programme,

- any adjustment to the indicative breakdown of the amount shown in Annex II, which has not been the subject of a budgetary decision.

2. The Commission shall inform the Committee, at each of its meetings, of progress with the implementation of the programme as a whole.

Article 8

The Commission is authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 228 (1), international agreements with European third countries with a view to involving them in all or part of the programme.

Article 9

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

(1) OJ No C 230, 16. 8. 1993.

(2) COM(93) 700 final of 5. 12. 1993.

(3) COM(92) 494 final, 2 December 1992.

ANNEX I

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT

This Specific Programme fully reflects the broad lines of the Fourth Framework Programme, and applies the selection criteria and spells out the scientific and technological objectives set out in that programme.

Paragraph (. . .) of Annex III (first activity) of the Framework Programme is an integral part of this programme.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

(a) The development and implementation of the common transport policy calls for research designed to achieve an efficient and cost-effective transport network for goods and passengers under the best possible environmental and social conditions and with an acceptable level of energy consumption (sustainable mobility).

This specific research programme is intended to improve the efficiency of the individual transport modes and speed up their integration into a European transport network and to support Community transport initiatives at both national and European levels.

In 1991 transport services in Europe, including own account transport and private transport, accounted for 5,6 million jobs and between 7 and 8 % of GNP, while the transport equipment industry accounted for 2,6 million jobs.

The demand for transport has risen in spectacular fashion (70 % since 1970) and this trend is continuing. The growth has resulted in increased congestion, inefficiency and lower safety performance. The consequent cost to the European economy is estimated to be at least ECU 50 billion per year for road and ECU 4 billion for aviation growing to ECU 10 billion by 2000. Transport is the second largest consumer of non-renewable energy and, unlike industrial and domestic users, its level of consumption is steadily increasing.

The results of transport research will therefore have a direct effect on the economy and quality of life in the Community. In addition to the direct effect on the transport equipment industries, it will contribute to the development of the whole European industrial fabric.

(b) The general objective of research under this Specific Programme is to arrive at prenormative or prelegislative conclusions making it possible to incorporate into the transport sphere the development of new generic technologies and further the development of the European Union by establishing an efficient transport system.

The aim of the research in question is to provide information for technical and political decisions and quantify the foreseeable impact of the various possible options.

With this in mind, it is necessary to acquire an understanding of mobility in order to analyze potential developments. In some cases, it is also necessary to set up experiments in order to confirm in practice the findings of more theoretical, technological studies and in particular the results of various other specific programmes. The methodologies for these experiments are part and parcel of this research activity. They should make it possible to establish in socio-economic terms the merits of introducing new technologies and carrying out any technical adjustments that may be necessary.

Two types of approach are needed:

- strategic research into the general functioning of the transport system,

- specific research concerning the optimization of each mode.

This research covers passenger transport and goods transport. Special attention will be paid to the interrelationship between the management of these two types of flows.

The two approaches must take into account:

- general policy concerns: competitiveness, safety, energy, and environment, the different geographical levels: European, national, regional, urban.

(c) The exploitation opportunities provided by new technologies, economic development and environmental improvements now make it possible to break down the barriers separating different modes of transport (and those between transport and information and communication systems) and establish an integrated approach.

This research programme therefore has two priorities: to provide the basis for a strategy for a trans-European multimodal network and for the optimization of networks.

The first priority will provide industry and authorities with the appropriate decision-making instruments based on better knowledge and understanding of traffic flows (by establishing appropriate forecasting models for European transport developments), their interactions and interdependencies for an assessment of transport demand, developing effective transport network scenarios, determining the impact of changes in transport demand, modal split, economic, social, environmental, energy and institutional influences based on statistical information making it possible to define the needs and constraints to orientate future actions. These tools are essential before large amounts of public and private money are committed by the political authorities for long-term investments in infrastructure projects, and the application of new management and communication systems to transport services.

The second priority will ensure, on the one hand, the development of compatible management systems for the individual transport modes as these are crucial for network interoperability, interconnection and accessibility as well as, on the other hand, improving capacity, safety, reliability and quality of the transport services.

The research activities will be conducted within a coherent and coordinated framework taking account of the activities under other themes: industrial technologies, telematics, environment and energy, where they relate to the objectives of the common transport policy. Work focusing on generic technologies will be carried out under the relevant themes within the first activity, with the result that the demonstration activity will address the integration and systematic validation of the results via an integrated approach aimed at achieving the objectives of the common transport policy.

Tangible results should become available in the short and medium term, in particular enabling a modular approach and phased implementation of transport systems in coordination with Eureka.

Technology stimulation measures, based on the experience of CRAFT activities and feasibility awards, will be carried out to encourage and facilitate participation by SMEs.

Outline proposals may be submitted at any time (a continuously open call for proposals) and those proposals selected will receive a feasibility award to search for partners and to prepare a detailed proposal. That proposal will then be evaluated in order to decide on the funding of the research project itself.

A. STRATEGIC RESEARCH FOR A TRANS-EUROPEAN MULTIMODAL NETWORK

The purpose of this research is to improve the efficiency of the European transport system regarded as a whole with different modal components. The research is subdivided into five areas of investigation:

Understanding mobility. An understanding of mobility (of passengers and goods) and foreseeable developments in mobility at European level is a prerequisite for improving European transport policy.

Research will be carried out into the establishment of a European database which is as compatible as possible with the existing national, regional or local databases. Attention will focus on defining the procedures for aggregating existing bases and using, for this purpose, by-products of existing systems or systems being developed whose primary purpose is different (centralized reservations, road information, electronic tolls, logistics, car phones, etc.). The general aim is to achieve an adequate overall understanding, at the lowest possible cost, while respecting the privacy of individuals and allowing links with more detailed bases and less aggregated geographical levels. Special attention will be paid to flows into and out of the Community.

This database should make it possible to highlight links and types of flows for which modal switching can be considered, and should make it possible to provide information for a European flow forecasting model.

Certain regions and transport links in the Community are affected by extremely acute congestion problems. By dealing with this matter on a European scale, with a common transport policy, it should be possible to make better overall use of the existing networks. An interesting avenue of approach would seem to be the diversification of entry and exit points for flows of goods and people: 'extra-Community' optimization may facilitate 'intra-Community' optimization, by reducing internal trips. In this connection, special attention will be paid to the consequences of the increasing opening up of the Community to eastern Europe.

The above research concerning the present situation and medium-term developments should be supplemented by research aimed at establishing long-term forward planning scenarios.

Developing intermodality. The development of intermodality and complementarity between the different modes of transport is generally regarded as a promising way of improving the European transport system. The above research will, as a whole, seek to clarify the area of excellence of each mode and the technological and organizational conditions governing the achievement of complementarity. The desire to develop intermodality and complementarity is based on the (often implicit) observation that the comparative efficiency of modes is variable depending on the area in question and the type of flows involved. The research will aim to objectivize this observation by developing multicriteria methodologies making it possible to define the conditions under which each mode can be better employed. It will contribute towards helping to formulate a European transport policy compatible with the sustainable development objective.

Economics of the transport system. The transport system does not have an intrinsic purpose in itself but is intended to enable other activities to take place (production, consumption, leisure, etc.). It is increasingly becoming a burden for household budgets and, more generally, for the economy as a whole. Efforts must be made to combat or even reverse this trend. Two possibilities should be explored as a matter of priority: new infrastructures and funding.

The choice of new infrastructures has major budgetary consequences and has a lasting effect on the modal split between flows. It is a virtually irreversible act necessitating solid guarantees.

The system should be funded at the lowest cost by spreading the burden between the direct and indirect beneficiaries so that, as far as possible, the sum total of individual choices approximates to the optimum.

Systems organization and interoperability. Implementing transport policy may result in organizational problems associated with technological developments and institutional changes. Efforts should be made to improve the existing organizational set-ups, while complying with the principle of subsidiarity and free competition.

The different national systems need to be interoperable in order to ensure continuity of services for users throughout the European network. The research will aim to define the conditions needed for such interoperability, with particular attention being paid to standardization.

A final point is that the introduction of new technologies and the Europeanization of the market will bring about changes in working practices. Consequently, it will be necessary to provide training in line with the changing structures. There needs to be a degree of convergence in working conditions and training if network interoperability is to be achieved satisfactorily.

Forward studies. In addition to research aimed at acquiring a better understanding and ensuring an improvement in the European network in the short and medium terms, it is necessary to prepare for the longer-term future through appropriate research.

Incorporating and applying new generic technologies in the transport sphere, including strategies for using the global positioning systems by satellite developed under the telematics specific programme, in order to improve network efficiency and safety, remain major concerns. Appropriate scientific and technical research should make it possible to find out which are the most promising in terms of matching means and processes to the general objectives of European transport policy.

Lastly, a better understanding of the European transport system and its probable developments should make it possible to highlight the main dysfunctions.

Research aimed at resolving them should be carried out, in particular concerning the establishment of economic and policy instruments, covering both the development of new technologies and institutional, organizational and socio-economic changes.

In particular, the aim will be to maximize system synergies and compatibilities to develop the interoperability and interconnection of individual transport modes for their integration in the trans-European transport network through a full knowledge and understanding of the European transport system, its individual elements, their inter-relationships and interdependencies. Within these objectives national initiatives will undoubtably play a role, but research at Community level is also essential to:

- coordinate and reinforce research to maintain technological development, and to face up to competition from America and Asia;

- control the development of international traffic, which requires a strategy and initiatives;

- enable the common transport policy to be supported through Community research.

This work will help achieve a full understanding of the European transport system, by providing the necessary elements for the development of a multi-modal trans-European network, through socio-economic and technological research to guide the development of the common transport policy, taking account of social benefit (welfare economics), external costs and economic instruments.

This knowledge (expertise) includes exploring the new technological means for gathering and processing data on European transport, the comprehension of modelling techniques and techniques for developing scenarios of mobility needs at urban, regional and international level; common methodologies for accessing technological innovation or new transport concepts in relation to economic efficiency, safety performance and environmental impact; common criteria for evaluating the capacity of each transport mode to contribute effectively to the total trans-European transport network and, lastly, validation parameters, implementation strategies and economic instruments.

This work will make it possible to assess the nature and volume of transport flows, develop common methodologies for assessing the contribution of new technologies and the growing constraints of environmental impact, safety performance, energy efficiency and the impact of economic instruments. It is necessary at the same time to define development strategies, experimental programmes including pilot projects making use of existing infrastructure and technological innovations.

This information system will be further developed through new technologies (e.g. EDI) to facilitate and accelerate the data-collection process, improve the quality and reliability of information collected and improve user access. The statistics will also benefit from the progress made in spatial representation and modelling systems (geographical information systems) which will permit a better interpretation of data as a function of topographical elements.

In the course of this work it will be necessary to ensure the coherence of the activities within theme 6 of the first activity as well as with all other transport-related activities of the Fourth Framework Programme to guide the initiatives of the common transport policy.

B. NETWORK OPTIMIZATION

In addition to the above research aimed at overall optimization of the European transport system, it is also necessary to carry out research into the internal optimization of each mode (air, rail, road, urban, inland waterway and maritime transport). Of course, the specific optimizations must be compatible with the overall optimization which remains the priority objective. It will be necessary to iron out any contradiction between sectoral optimization and overall optimization.

The research in question will take into account areas of investigation common to all modes but which need to be specified in terms of the features of each individual mode.

Railways

The work will basically be aimed at removing obstacles to the compatibility of the national rail systems and, to this end, should provide economic and technical solutions to the problem of the interoperability of the rail network as a subsystem and part of a European intermodal system.

Firstly, one of the priority issues is the compatibility of train traffic control systems, on which research was started in the framework of the EURET programme. This research has the objective of developing a European rail traffic management system and its principal functionalities through the integration of the results of research on generic technology in other programmes. It was developed with the collaboration of the railways and industry. This work needs to be continued so as to develop a common architecture for the European rail traffic management system, before moving on to the stage of pilot projects to validate the technology through specific applications.

In this context it is necessary to develop the system specifications, study the ergonomic aspects and human factors, communications and equipment design. The interfaces between connected systems, i.e. communications, management, and information for the public and other services must be taken into account. Finally, considering the importance of this common architecture for the development of the European rail network, and notably high-speed trains, the research results will be validated in the framework of safety criteria established at a Community level.

Secondly, rail safety is based on the principle of the intrinsic safety of equipment and systems. For the new functionalities, it is necessary to use hardware and software components whose failure mode is not necessarily known or finite. No system is therefore ever totally safe and there is always a risk, however small, of failure. This risk will be quantified to allow harmonized criteria to be applied throughout the Community and ensure that investment decisions for safety equipment can be taken as a function of their 'added value'. The research work will, if possible, build on techniques developed for other industries, and adapt them to specific rail applications, if necessary by defining new concepts.

The capacity of a rail section is limited by the need to maintain sufficient distance between trains to enable each one to stop in complete safety in the remaining portion of available track. To be able to achieve this, the current safety systems often leave a gap which is much greater than necessary, in the absence of knowledge of train braking performance, communication systems and the specific approved spacing used. In high-density areas improved train flow is necessary; this requires recourse to innovations developed in other programmes and new techniques and safety systems. Research work is also needed to improve performance and reliability of safety systems.

Thirdly, with regard to the interconnection and interoperability of rail networks, the work will concentrate on the elimination of obstacles to rail traffic, especially at frontiers, due to national equipment and requirements, entailing new common solutions to overcome them. This research using the results of other Community research activities, will result in the development of interoperability specifications, and mandatory requirements foreseen in Community drafts in the framework of the trans-European high-speed and conventional rail networks, and their associated sub-systems (infrastructure, electrical power systems etc.).

Integrated transport chains

With the opening of single market, the future extension of the European Community and the progress of the central European countries towards market economies, the international transfer of goods will inevitably grow strongly. It is generally expected that traffic will double in 20 years. Faced with such a growth in demand, the public authorities need to try to modify the supply structure radically, otherwise the major part of this growth will fall to current dominant mode: road transport.

It is generally recognized that road transport causes significant external costs. In effect, considerable nuisance such as atmospheric pollution, lack of safety, network congestion and noise arises from road transport and is currently borne collectively.

Multimodal transport therefore appears to be a promising solution. Through its development, it could contribute to a reduction in road transport and an improvement in the quality of the environment.

The work will be based on existing research in technological, economic, social and environmental fields and analyze the costs/benefits of transfers between modes through an evaluation of effective transfer options (e.g. short sea shipping). It has four main priorities:

- improving the interfaces between transport modes and transfer points to ensure a rapid and reliable transfer of goods or transport equipment, taking account of technical, logistic and economic aspects as well as the access of small and medium-sized enterprises to multimodal transport;

- for multimodal loading units, including those more specifically intermodal, the work will also consider unit loads adapted not only to the needs of industry but also to infrastructure constraints;

- for existing and planned infrastructure, modal interoperability will be addressed, notably to ensure links with peripheral or isolated regions of the Community;

- for logistics, applied to the whole multimodal chain, the work will address the management and use of integrated data-processing and communication media.

Air transport

Firstly the work will address air traffic management (ATM) as part of an overall European strategy developed in close cooperation with Eurocontrol and the Member States. Building upon existing work defining a consolidated ATM concept, it will evaluate and demonstrate the integrated elements, both operational and technological, for a future ATM system foreseen for 2006 - having at least double the existing capacity, with enhanced safety and at a minimum cost. This work will contribute notably to the definition of the European application of the work carried out in the framework of the ICAO (CNS/ATM).

In particular, a strategic approach will develop an overall ATM concept including integration of airport management systems through appropriate modelling and simulation to enable the definition of the system requirements and high-level functional architecture.

This work will also integrate the results of generic technology research developed under other programmes, identify the application-related technologies necessary to develop an effective system from the technological, operational and organizational viewpoint.

Operational consolidation will also address the specific aspects, such as the role of human intervention, automation of the planning and executive control functions, the use of an experimental aeronautical telecommunications network (ATN), using, and adapting as necessary, the innovations developed in the context of other activities. The integration of these elements will be validated initially on experimental test benches to enable the improvement in capacity and safety of the overall ATM system to be quantified. To facilitate the integration and validation process a validation plan will be developed together with the methodology to be used in the process. Suitable certification methods will be developed and validated for such failure-critical ATM systems.

Secondly, the work will address air-transport safety to complement the work of the joint aviation authorities and national aviation administrations.

In particular it will model and assess the airworthiness and operational factors that affect the safety of air transport, determine possible solutions to safety shortcomings and support future standardizaton and regulatory activities in the field of certification and inspection of airworthiness.

Through strategic research, including modelling of the influence of critical factors, the work will address: passenger survival criteria; external hazards (icing, collision with the ground, electromagnetic integrity, engine ingestion, etc.); as well as aircraft reliability and safety standards (airworthiness requirements) linked with noise, emissions etc.

More precisely, with regard to survival, the inspection of airworthiness and flight operations, work will take account of the results of the industrial technology programme concerning aircraft design and will address the feasibility and socio-economic and systematic evaluation of technologies design to improve crash and fire protection, passenger evacuation, integrity and reliability of crack-detection techniques, certification methods, human factor issues for long-range and high-workload operations, and take-off and landing criteria for runways rendered difficult because of atmospheric conditions.

Urban transport

Urban transport poses three types of problems, namely energy efficiency, transport-system efficiency and environmental protection.

The technical responses to these problems are not necessarily the same but together they must contribute to resolving these three problems. To this end, the action undertaken in the telematics, energy and transport spheres must be developed in a coherent fashion.

The work will address the solutions able to improve the 'attractiveness', efficiency and capacity of urban transport systems, to rationalize traffic management and transport demand by improving the conditions of urban life and contributing to the creation of a real citizens network. In particular, the work will address:

- ecological traffic management,

- safety management, including unprotected users,

- optimization of road use,

- measures and conditions to stimulate public transport as opposed to private transport,

- design of transfer points between local and long-distance traffic to improve town accessibility.

In addition, it will also analyze on the one hand the financing and charging systems for urban transport and in particular public transport as advocated in the White Paper on a common transport policy, and on the other hand the external costs entailed by the different modes of transport in built-up areas (public/private, level of responsibility). In particular, the effects of different systems of financing public transport will be looked at.

With the coming of the internal market, all Member States are today looking for new forms of organization and new financing modes for urban transport systems. This involves the application of new technologies, namely use of telematic tools, new energy sources, use of new means of transport, traffic regulation, urban tolls, planning of transfers and management of parking. It will be necessary to integrate these elements taking account of the individual conditions in urban areas, and to proceed to a large-scale evaluation of this integration through pilot projects.

Most built-up areas will have to introduce a range of measures (road pricing, modal split, . . .), but little is known about the complex interactions which will arise in these different combinations and their interfaces with inter-urban systems. A progressive introduction of selected measures could be carried out in towns, chosen for the purposes of research, to validate them and ensure their gradual implementation.

A validation of procedures by simulation and tests on the ground is, in effect, necessary to evaluate their environmental and socio-economic effects as well as the contributions of new technologies and types of organization (industrial or telematic innovations, regulatory measures or new transport organizations) necessary for the achievement of sustainable mobility.

Maritime transport

The research has the objective of increasing efficiency, improving safety and processing the environment of maritime transport through the development of common solutions to the major problems, not only strategic but also technological, for the development of operational systems which integrate new generic technologies, organizational factors and human resources.

Firstly, the work will address, amongst other things, the evaluation and modelling of maritime transport supply and demand and flows of goods, at both world and intra-European levels. In particular, the role of short-sea shipping in maritime transport will be analyzed within the framework of the logistics chain and the need for harmonization of procedures. This will include the development and evaluation of sea/inland waterway systems and analysis of competitiveness between operators (both Community and non-Community) for the whole operation (land and maritime), management structures, the chain of human resources and the quality of service (total quality control, . . .).

Secondly, the work will evaluate (particularly through simulations) the contribution of new technologies, notably those developed under the telematics programme, to the improvement of maritime traffic management. In particular, information exchange between ports and port communities will help the flow of goods, improve safety and the interface role of ports. It is also necessary to analyze and develop new techniques for the whole operation (ships and ports), notably taking into account the problem of standardization of cargo unitization.

It is also necessary to analyze the options for improving the provision of maritime transport through the application of new technologies, notably new rapid transfer systems for goods and passengers and by the analysis of their impact on professional qualifications and infrastructure capacity. This will address the definition of a new generation of operating systems and higher-performance ships, able to ensure more efficient, safer and environmentally friendly operations (e.g. higher speed, reduced emissions and fuel consumption); in particular the conceptual and design requirements resulting from safety measures linked with the transport of dangerous goods must be analyzed. The use of alternative, more environmentally friendly energy sources will also be examined, as well as the treatment of refuse from ships and in the ports.

Thirdly, the work will also evaluate the factors having an influence on maritime safety. Simulation methods for traffic scenarios will be developed. The application of integrated telematic tools will be evaluated. The impact on safety of the whole chain of human factors will be assessed (e.g. ship operation, traffic management and control, shore-based operations). Common criteria for establishing the level of training of crews, as well as procedures for the whole operation (ship and shore-based), communications and traffic management will be developed.

Finally, the work will address specific research such as:

- a common methodology to investigate and determine accident causes, and the means and tools to remedy them,

- the provision of an operational solution for a working European 'electronic chart display and information' system,

- the harmonization of common procedures at European level to facilitate the flow of goods,

- a common approach to evaluate the problems of pollution and sedimentation in ports and remedy them.

Inland waterways

The work will address the integration of new generic technologies together with organizational factors and human resources for inland waterways.

It will analyze in particular the role of this transport mode in the whole chain and will define evaluation criteria for scenarios which are able, as a whole, to reflect the importance and potential of inland waterways and in particular, the obstacles which could hamper the development and transfer of goods transport demand to inland waterways.

In particular, the work will enable the transfer of the results of generic technology research to inland waterways with respect to cost-benefit, safety and environmental impact criteria, notably to improve the whole operation of ships and ports. It will also be necessary to examine the evolution of barge construction and characteristics as a function of increased speed, reduced emissions and energy consumption. Similarly, human factors with regard to safety on barges and inland infrastructure need to be analyzed, particularly the requirements for certification, training and the operational use of information and communication means. Finally, the work will address restrictions to navigation, low-depth hydrodynamics, infrastructure, ports, traffic management and organization, and goods information flows.

Road transport

Research in this area should contribute to greater efficiency of road transport, enlarged capacity of road infrastructure and rationalization of movements.

Many technologies have been developed independently and now have to be subjected to comprehensive assessment in relation to the objective of sustainable mobility.

Assessment will be done through modelling, simulation and field tests, including pilot projects.

This work will serve as an instrument for identifying appropriate applications, their interaction and their socio-economic effects.

This involves pre-normative and legislative activities in support of a common policy for road safety.

In particular it will address, amongst other things, the integration of infrastructure, vehicles, human beings and telematic tools with the objective of improving traffic circulation and safety.

ANNEX II

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ANNEX III

DETAILED RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME

1. The detailed rules for the Community's financial contribution are laid down in Annex IV to the Decision on the Fourth Framework Programme.

The detailed rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities, and for the dissemination of results will be laid down in the measures provided for by Article 130j of the Treaty.

However, for the purpose of implementing this programme, the following exceptions shall apply:

1.1. Participation in this programme is open, with financial support from the Community:

(a) to all legal entities, established and regularly carrying out RTD activities

- in the Community, or

- in a third country associated, wholly or in part, with the implementation of the relevant programme through an agreement concluded between the Community and the said third country,

(b) to the Joint Research Centre.

1.2. Participation in this programme is open, without financial support from the Community, and on condition that their participation is in the interests of Community policies:

(a) to legal entities established in a country which has concluded a scientific and technical cooperation agreement with the Community relating to activities covered by the programme, provided the participation accords with the terms of the agreement,

(b) to legal entities established in a European country,

(c) to international research organizations.

1.3. The participation of European international organizations may be financed on the same basis as that for Community organizations in duly specified cases.

2. This programme will be carried out in the form of:

2.1. Financial participation by the Community in RTD activities carried out by third parties or by JRC institutes in association with third parties:

(a) Shared-cost activities:

- RTD projects carried out by undertakings, research centres and universities, including consortia for integrated projects with a common theme;

- technology stimulation to encourage and facilitate participation by SMEs by granting an award covering the exploratory phase including research by partners of an RTD activity and via cooperative research. The award will be granted following the selection of outline proposals which may be submitted at any time;

- support for financing the infrastructure or installations necessary for coordinated action (closer coordination).

(b) Concerted action, which consists of coordinating, particularly with the aid of concertation networks, RTD projects already funded by public authorities or private bodies. Concerted action can also include the requisite coordination of thematic networks bringing together manufacturers, users, universities and research centres to work on the same technological or industrial objective under shared-cost RTD activities (cf. first paragraph of Section 2.1 (a)).

(c) Specific measures such as action to promote standardization, and measures to provide general tools to research centres, universities and undertakings. The Community's contribution covers up to 100 % of the cost of these measures.

2.2. Preparatory, accompanying and support measures:

- studies in support of this programme and in preparation for future activities;

- conferences, seminars, workshops or other scientific or technical meetings, including intersectoral or multidisciplinary coordination meetings;

- use of external expertise, including access to scientific databases;

- scientific publications, including the dissemination, promotion and utilization of the results (in coordination with the activities conducted under the third area of activity);

- studies to access the socio-economic consequences and any technological risks associated will all the projects under this programme. Close cooperation will be ensured between the socio-economic impact studies and socio-economic research programme, to ensure that the results of the studies are exploited and used;

- training activities related to research covered by this programme;

- independent evaluation (including studies) of programme administration and of the implementation of the activities.

- measures in support of the operation of networks to provide information and decentralized assistance to SMEs in coordination with the Euromanagement auditing activity on RTD.

The activities relating to dissemination and utilization of results carried out under this programme will complement those of the third activity and will be closely coordinated with them. The RTD project partners constitute privileged networks for the dissemination and utilization of results. They will be enhanced by means of publications, conferences, promotion of results, studies of technical and economic potential, etc. In order to ensure optimum exploitation, account must be taken right from the outset in RTD projects of factors that can encourage subsequent utilization of results.