What can Member States do to accelerate CCAM readiness?

Connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) along with CCAM-related technologies can provide numerous benefits for transportation, safety, and sustainability. To maximize its potential, automated mobility necessitates a coordinated, or even harmonized, approach among different stakeholders, including EU Member States. The following text addresses the main aspects and areas where collaboration has significant potential to enhance CCAM readiness and roll-out. It will cover the legal and regulatory framework, infrastructure and connectivity readiness, research and innovation, and public acceptance and awareness.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

Gradual technological advancement requires to be followed by regulation to ensure its effective implementation and use. A transparent and understandable framework reflecting developments in CCAM technology itself was adopted at the EU level. With the General Safety Regulation and Automated Driving Systems Implementing Regulation, a type-approval framework was established. Subsequently, actions need to be taken at the Member States level.  

Different member states have different rules and standards for testing, licensing, liability, and data protection of automated vehicles, which can create barriers and uncertainties for the market and users. In this context, real-real traffic conditions should reflect the main purpose of EU legislation and enable true change on European roads by adopting rules reflecting the EU homologation framework. Automated vehicles, and in the broader outlook also fully automated vehicles, offer undisputable benefits if their roll-out is framed accordingly.

Therefore, Member States should cooperate and align their national legislations, for example through the newly established European Forum for Automated Transport coordination mechanism. These coherent and synergic efforts are necessary for realistic progress in CCAM that can bring its expected positive results. In this perspective, regulation represents a practical tool, not an obstacle if handled responsibly. For European industry, to keep up with the rest of the world in automation and digitalization of transport and mobility, it remains essential to not overregulate, but to set a clear, predictable, and user-centric framework. A robust yet flexible regulatory framework could in fact become a European advantage over competitors, and a reasonable attitude and approach to regulation is therefore crucial.

Infrastructure and Connectivity

The steady deployment of digital infrastructure, including C-ITS and next generation networks with a special emphasis on cross-border sections and corridors will require both public and private investments. Automated vehicles depend on physical and digital infrastructure, such as roads, signs, sensors, and communication networks, for safe and efficient operation. However, the current status of infrastructure and connectivity in the EU might not be adequate or consistent for wide-scale and cross-border deployment of automated vehicles. Although there are advanced vehicle technologies and use-cases for fully automated vehicles already defined, the main challenge is their limited operational design domain.

Gradual deployment of intelligent transport systems and C-ITS on main European networks and in cities combined with clear plans for future investment must remain long-term priorities of Member States if we want to achieve a complex European CCAM ecosystem. In this respect, the revised ITS Directive outlines an overall framework with a focus on CCAM. Complementary EU and national funding will be essential, with a strong focus on ensuring its efficient use and alignment across regional, national, and European levels to address the complexity of deployment.

Research and Innovation and European cooperation

A third important aspect of the CCAM deployment is the further advancement of research and innovation activities. The efforts need to be focused on large-scale pilots, further innovation in the field of technologies, and CCAM services. Alignment of financial resources coordinated use of public funding, and synergic strategic planning at national and European level can effectively address remaining challenges and boost European competitiveness. The latter should remain central in the following years as CCAM represents area where European industry needs to achieve further growth and gain strong position on a global scale.

CCAM has evolved into strategic area in this respect, and innovation projects and initiatives with involvement of public and private sector will become even more relevant for achieving strategic autonomy. Long-term goals include promoting research and innovation and fostering cooperation among academia, industry, public sector, and society. In this respect, the CCAM Partnership is an effective instrument, also considering that  Member States and Associated countries coordinate and further align their activities with the partnership thanks to the States Representatives Group platform.

Public Acceptance and Awareness

A final crucial element for automated mobility deployment is public acceptance and awareness. Automated mobility is a disruptive and transformative technology that can have positive impacts on mobility patterns, lifestyles, and values. Yet, in the EU, public acceptance and awareness of automated mobility is low and variable, due to the lack of information, education, and engagement.

Member States should enhance public acceptance and awareness of automated mobility, by implementing and supporting EU-wide and national actions and campaigns. They should provide clear information, collect feedback, and address possible ethical considerations. Public acceptance remains a crucial aspect of further CCAM implementation, particularly in the context of mobility services related to public transportation. Large-scale pilots may thus serve as an instrument enabling European citizens’ engagement. Understanding both benefits and early-phase limitations (e.g. operational areas, lower speed vehicles), is therefore vital for developing successful CCAM deployment strategies. Efforts should be focused on building European knowledge in this area, emphasizing methods and effective instruments to raise awareness.

Conclusion

Automated mobility is a strategic and beneficial technology for the EU, needing concerted and comprehensive effort from all the stakeholders, especially member states, to ensure its successful and sustainable deployment. This article suggests how member states can contribute to automated mobility deployment in four key areas: legal and regulatory framework, infrastructure and connectivity, research and innovation, and public acceptance and awareness. Following these suggestions will help the EU to achieve its vision and goals for automated mobility: a safer, smarter, and greener mobility system for the future.

Written by Tereza Čížková, Head of New technologies in Transport Unit, Czech Republic Ministry of Transport; CCAM States Representatives Group Chair & CZ Representative; Head of CZ delegation to Horizon Europe Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility Programme Committee.