# An Overview of Intelligent Transportation Systems in Europe
## 3 Key Components of Intelligent Transportation Systems  
Intelligent Transport Systems comprise strategies and technologies designed to increase the sustainability, safety and efficiency of transport networks. To improve the user experience and optimize traffic management, these systems integrate both software and hardware modules [7]. ITS components are divided into hardware and software, as shown in Figure 4. Short-range IoT devices and wireless communications, as well as long-range infrastructure sensors that can be connected to smartphones, are part of the hardware. The platform includes data analysis platforms and traffic management applications. Through this integration, ITSs can improve mobility in cities. A variety of devices designed to collect, process and transmit transport-relevant data are part of the hardware components of ITSs. These include a wide range of technologies, such as sensors, cameras, traffic signals, IoT-based transportation devices and vehicle detection systems, all of which are essential for the efficient operation of modern ITSs [8; 12; 17]:  
* Sensors, cameras and traffic signals: Due to road conditions, vehicle movement and traffic flows, cameras and sensors collect data in real time. Smart traffic signals with GPS technology reduce congestion and manage dynamic traffic. * IoT transportation devices: Road units, sensors, detection cameras and traffic light control devices are just a few of the IoT technologies that are widely used in ITSs. These devices are vital for traffic control systems and route optimization, as they collect real-time data on weather conditions and road traffic flow. * Vehicle detection systems are aimed at tracking vehicles in critical areas using technologies such as electronic beacons, automatic license plate recognition and magnetic  
Figure 4: Main hardware and software components of ITSs. signature detection. Automatic incident detection and the monitoring of traffic flows at intersections and checkpoints require these software components of ITSs. * ITS software processes and analyses data collected by hardware components, enabling real-time decision-making and the efficient management of road traffic. Road traffic management software enables the control of vehicle flows, optimization of routes and reductions in environmental impacts. They help with vehicle-to-everything (v2x) communication and adaptive traffic light control, respectively [6]. * Platforms that enable data analysis: By processing and interpreting data collected from traffic, data analysis platforms improve vehicle flows, increase safety and reduce environmental impact. These platforms help transport management to optimize road infrastructure [15]. * High-definition (HD) maps, which provide accurate and up-to-date geospatial data, are another vital part of ITSs. They are essential for autonomous driving, traffic control and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) communication. Currently, in Europe, a number of applications, including HERE HD Live Map and TomTom's HD Map platform, are used to facilitate the localization and decision-making processes for autonomous vehicles. Compared to traditional maps, HD maps provide centimeter-level accuracy in identifying road geometry, traffic signs, lane markings and static objects [18]. In order to support level 4-5 autonomous systems and complex traffic management approaches, the integration of HD maps into ITS infrastructures is becoming increasingly important. ITSs require the integration of mobility solutions and interoperability between different technologies. This is essential to facilitating a continuous flow of information between different means of transport. According to European Directive 2010/40/EU, interoperable systems that enable smooth communication between vehicles, infrastructure and other modes of transport are essential [5]. Figure 5 presents the main components of ITSs, as well as their roles in the process of collecting, transmitting and analyzing data to optimize urban mobility.