Directive 2010/40 - Framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport - Main contents

Summary of Legislation
Legislative text

1. Summary of Legislation

The deployment of intelligent transport systems in Europe

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2010/40/EU — rules on the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It aims to encourage the development of innovative transport technologies to create intelligent transport systems (ITSs). This will be done by introducing common EU standards and specifications. These aim to establish interoperable* and efficient ITS services while allowing individual EU countries to decide which systems to invest in.

KEY POINTS

ITSs cover a wide area of services

The directive applies to ITS applications and services in the EU road transport sector and to the way in which these applications communicate with other modes of transport.

ITSs are systems in which information and communication technologies are applied in road transport, including infrastructure, vehicles and users, traffic management and mobility management.

The following have been identified as priority areas for the development and use of specifications and standards:

-

optimal use of road, traffic and travel data, for example to allow road users to plan trips;
-

continuity of traffic and freight management ITS services (i.e. services that are uninterrupted when trucks cross borders);
-

ITS road safety and security applications (e.g. alerts of risks of reduced visibility, or of people, animals and debris on the road);
-

linking vehicles with the transport infrastructure, i.e. equipping vehicles to allow for exchange of data or information.

Within these priority areas, there are 6 priority actions which focus on:

EU-wide multimodal travel information services (for journeys involving different transport modes, e.g. train and ship);

EU-wide real-time traffic information services;

how to provide road safety-related traffic information free of charge to users;

the harmonised availability of an interoperable EU-wide eCall service;

information services for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles;

reservation services for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles.

With regard to the deployment of ITS applications and services, EU countries must ensure that the related specifications adopted by the European Commission are applied. However, individual EU countries have the right to decide on the use of these applications and services in their own territory.

EU-wide eCall service to report road traffic accidents

One of the 6 priority actions is an EU-wide eCall service. If there is a serious road accident, eCall automatically dials Europe’s single emergency number 112 and communicates a vehicle’s location to the emergency services. A telephone link is then set up with the appropriate emergency call centre (or public safety answering point (PSAP)) and details of the accident are sent to the rescue services, including the time of incident, the accurate position of the crashed vehicle and the direction of travel.

EU countries agreed to deploy the eCall PSAP infrastructure required for the proper receipt and handling of all eCalls in their territory by 1 October 2017 and on the mandatory fitting of 112-based eCall in-vehicle system on all new types of passenger cars and light-duty vehicles from 31 March 2018.

Work on priority actions

By means of delegated acts, the Commission has adopted specifications for:

An evaluation is taking place to assess to which extent the directive has contributed to:

-

faster and more coordinated deployment of ITSs; and
-

better functioning of the road transport system and its interfaces with other transport modes.

Delegation of acts

Decision (EU) 2017/2380 amends Directive 2010/40/EU extending the period for the Commission to adopt delegated acts for a further 5 years from 27 August 2017.

Working programme

The Commission’s decision on the Working Programme on the implementation of Directive 2010/40/EU was adopted on 15 February 2011.

The Commission decision updating the Working Programme in relation to the actions under Article 6(3) of Directive 2010/40/EU was adopted on 11 December 2018.

FROM WHEN DOES THIS DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It has applied since 26 August 2010 and had to become law in the EU countries by 27 February 2012.

BACKGROUND

The volume of road transport is expected to increase in the EU. This is likely to lead to increased congestion on the roads, rising energy consumption, and environmental and social problems. Innovations such as ITSs are needed to find solutions to these sorts of problems. They are advanced applications that aim to provide innovative services for various modes of transport and traffic management. They enable users to be better informed about transport conditions and to make safer and better use of transport networks.

For more information, see:

-

Intelligent transport systems (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Interoperable: when systems and the underlying business processes are able to exchange data and to share information and knowledge.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of intelligent transport systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport (OJ L 207, 6.8.2010, pp. 1-13)

Successive amendments to Directive 2010/40/EU have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

2. Legislative text

Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport Text with EEA relevance

Contents

1.

Summary of Legislation

2.

Legislative text