WRITTEN QUESTION E-0869/96 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (12 April 1996)

Subject: Telematics applications for transport

The purpose of Commission communication COM(94) 0469 on telematics applications for transport in Europe is to define measures for the development of telematics infrastructure in all modes of transport, together with proposals for deployment which can:

- secure more efficient, safer and less polluting transport operations,

- open the transport market for telematics services and products benefiting industrial efficiency,

- encourage the promotion of new public-private partnerships for implementing telematics applications in the transport sector.

Telecommunications technologies with European standards are already available that, as has been demonstrated, are best suited for concrete telematics applications in the transport sector. In order to promote safety, reduce environmental pollution, avoid congestion and improve the use of vehicles, does the Commission not consider it essential to create a proper political framework and develop the requirements for such applications at European level as soon as possible and then entrust the development of systems to private initiative wherever possible?

Cost-benefit analyses at micro-economic level favour the development of private initiatives while those at macro-economic level entail political and social imponderables; the objectives, means and implications should be discussed as objectively as possible, taking account of the views of all the parties concerned.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (24 May 1996)

The Commission is confident that telematics applications in the transport sector provide considerable benefits to society and the European economy, as demonstrated by the results of the research and technological development (RTD) in the third framework programme.

The Commission has already initiated the political debate on the topic in its white paper on 'growth, competitiveness and employment' ((COM(93) 700. )), whilst the group of personalities on the information society applications (('Europe and the Global Information Society - Recommendations to the European Council' - final report of the Bangemann group, May 1994. )) have identified telematics applications for road and air transport within the 10 priority areas. The European Council in Corfu endorsed these recommendations and the European Council in Essen supported the report by the high level group on transport and energy (('Tran-European Networks - the Group of Personal Representatives of the Heads of State or Government - Report to the Essen European Council' - final report of the Chrtistophersen group, December 1994. )) which included management of the networks by use of information and communication technologies of European interest.

As a follow-up to these political developments, the Commission, in its communication on the topic, provided an outline action plan consisting of 4 main items namely the technical harmonisation, legal and organisational actions required for the development of telematics infrastructure and services, the description of projects of common interest which could be supported in the framework of the Trans-European Networks, the pursuit of actions on research and development, and the coordination of efforts by all interested parties.

Both the Parliament and the Council have reacted positively by adopting three resolutions ((- EP Resolution, 29.6.1995 (PE 212.659/fin). - Council Resolution on telematics in the transport sector, 24.10.1994 - OJ C 309, 5.1.1994. - Council Resolution on development of telematics in the road transport sector, 28.9.1995 - OJ C 264, 11.10.1995. )). In addition the Council, in its common positions on the definition of guidelines for transport ((Common position guidelines on trans-European transport networks, 23.9.1995 - OJ C 331, 8.12.1995. )) and telecommunications networks ((Common position guidelines on trans-European telecom networks, 21.3.1996. )), has included the complementary aspects of telematics for management of networks (transport) and for value-added information services (telecoms). In addition, the fourth RTD framework programme has included, within the Telematics applications programme ((OJ L 334, 22.12.1994. )), a substantial share of telematics applications for transport.

The Commission's recent proposal on the strengthening of the fourth framework programme has included the telematics element in all transport-related task forces ((COM(96) 12 final. )).

It is therefore evident that the political debate and the political framework - as well as financial support and RTD support - are well advanced. In addition, the Commission, in the framework of its action plan on the information society ((COM(94) 347. )), has announced its intention to propose harmonisation and other legislative measures which will create a stable environment for the private sector.

Also, following the last Council Resolution; the Commission set up a high level group of officials from the Member States which, through interaction with all other interested parties will assist in the identification of the required priority measures for support of the deployment of telematics in the short - and medium-term. To facilitate this debate the Commission will soon report on the findings of its RTD and other actions on a technical, economic and social level.