The aim of this survey is to measure public awareness and attitudes towards connected and automated driving considering their role in the European strategy to improve road transport in terms of safety and efficiency as also laid down in the recent European Green Deal, and the 2018 Communication on connected and automated mobility. In this light, this survey seeks EU citizens’ views on automated and connected vehicles and sheds light on how comfortable they would feel with such vehicles as part of their daily lives.
The survey’s objectives are to: * Assess EU citizens’ awareness of automated vehicles and their experience with automated or semi-automated driving functions * Measure attitudes towards driving in or interacting with automated vehicles on the road * Evaluate citizens’ willingness to purchase and use automated vehicles * Determine what citizens expect with regard to automated vehicles.
This survey was carried out by the Kantar network in the 28 Member States of the EU, between 11 and 29 September 2019. A total of 27,565 respondents from different social and demographic groups were interviewed face to face, at home, in their mother tongue. The survey was carried out on behalf of the European Commission’s Joint Research Center. The Methodology used is that of Eurobarmeter surveys as carried out by the Dictorate-General for Communication (“media monitoring and Eurobarmeter”). At the time of fieldwork, the UK was still a member of the EU, and therefore the UK results are included in the report.
Overall, the results suggest respondents are not yet ready to fully adopt connected and automated vehicles. If connected and automated vehicles are set to play an important role to achieve the European policy objectives in the transport field, efforts will be needed to raise awareness of the options and their implications, and to engage citizens and build their trust with respect to this innovative type of technology
This is a report based on the synthesis of insights gained from a global open foresight project exploring the future of autonomous vehicles that was undertaken throughout 2019 and early 2020. It combines an analysis of existing research with opinion gained from multiple interviews and discussions that have taken place over the past year or so in Shanghai, London, Tokyo, Gothenburg, Austin and Toronto plus a series workshops held in Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Singapore, Wellington, Melbourne, Dubai, Singapore (at the global ITS World Congress event) and, finally, as a finale in Silicon Valley. The authors have done their best to accurately reflect the views they heard and the context in which they were expressed.
It is clear that, across the various markets, there are areas of alignment on some issues – but also notable nuances in approach to AVs that are different, country to country. From all discussions, nine key issues are emerging as significant – all of which are intricately inter-connected and collectively do indeed amount to a highly ‘wicked’ problem:
1. Fleets are now driving progress: In terms of the dominant business models, momentum is clearly behind both robo-taxis and truck fleets.
2. Automated trucks are coming: Freight has much to gain in terms of efficiency; this has regulatory momentum and wide industry support.
3. Safety is a pre-requisite: Expectations are high, but as many advances are already in process, improvements look likely.
4. Congestion is a conundrum: While the aim is for less congestion and the role of connectivity is pivotal, user behaviour and Transportation Network Company (TNC) strategies could initially mean more congestion.
5. Multiple options for the last mile: There are many alternatives in the mix, all bridging different needs and location gaps.
6. First vs widespread deployment: Where and why we see initial AV services may not necessarily align with where mass impact will occur.
7. Deeper collaboration will be needed: Moving from partnerships to long-term multi-party collaboration is seen as a critical enabler.
8. Technical standards may not be pivotal: Although comprehensive technical standards are advocated, they are not essential for AV; in some regions, safety standards will support regulation.
9. Regulators are influencing deployment: Proactive regulation is attracting companies, but the balance of light vs. heavy regulatory approaches may impact this.
The EU’s automotive sector enjoys a central place in Europe’s industrial landscape. It is the employer of millions of Europeans, often in highly skilled jobs and a major investor in research and development. The sector is one of the most competitive in the world and generates a substantial trade surplus for the EU. It is at a junction of many important EU policies including; competitiveness, research, energy, environment, transport, single market, etc. Today’s automotive industry is at a turning point: it must embrace the upcoming digital revolution, automated and connected driving, environmental challenges (such as climate goals), societal changes and growing globalisation.
In order to develop a co-ordinated and effective EU approach for the automotive industry in this changing landscape, the European Commission established the High Level Group (HLG) GEAR 2030 in October 2015. The group brought together Member States’ authorities and key stakeholders representing the industry, services, consumers and environmental protection and road safety. This Report sets out the HLG’s analysis of the situation and recommendations to address the main challenges and opportunities for the sector in the run-up to 2030 and beyond. It examines the developments in global competitiveness and changes in the value chain. In this context, given the profound impacts of the transformation on the entire value chain, the HLG decided to focus on connected and automated driving (CAD) and on zero emissions and zero emissions-capable vehicles (ZEVs and ZECs). However, the HLG also recognises that cleaner internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will have an important role in the on-going transformation of the sector. They will be especially important in the case of heavy duty vehicles to help their transition to low and zero emission technologies.
The automotive industry is a core engine of European prosperity and an essential part of Europe’s identity. European manufacturers have been global leaders since the invention of the automobile, producing iconic brands that set high benchmarks in innovation and excellence. Today, the sector accounts for €1 trillion in GDP, a third of private research and development investment in the EU and it provides direct and indirect employment to 13 million Europeans. For commercial vehicles, European truck makers account for more than 40% of the world market.1 The European automotive industry leadership commands admiration from the world over. Currently, the sector is undergoing a structural transformation of unprecedented speed and magnitude. The shift to clean mobility is accelerating. In 2024, already one out of five cars sold globally was electric. At the same time, the rapid integration of digital technologies, such as AI, software, sensing and communication devices, together with the increasing importance of digital services and connectivity, are shaking up the sector. It is imperative that the European automotive industry not only navigates, but also shapes the transition to zero-emission, connected and increasingly automated vehicles. While facing this transition, our automotive industry is also confronted with serious competitiveness challenges. It faces global supply chain risks and dependencies on raw materials and battery imports, a still too large reliance on fossil fuels, fierce competition for talent, cost gaps in key inputs, and an increasingly volatile geopolitical context. European companies risk falling behind on key strategic technologies such as batteries, software, infotainment systems, and autonomous driving, and often have less direct control over many raw material inputs, while overseas competitors are often supported by assertive industrial strategies and receive State support in various forms. This is a pivotal moment for the European automotive industry – decisive action is needed, and the European Union (EU) is committed to support the sector in its transition. That is the purpose of this Action Plan, which builds on the Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal and – in recent weeks – a wide series of consultations, led by the President of the Commission and several Commission members, in which more than 100 organisations actively participated.2 It sets out concrete measures to help secure global competitiveness of the European automotive industry and maintain a strong European production base through action in five key areas: 1) innovation and digitalisation, 2) clean mobility, 3) competitiveness and supply chain resilience, 4) skills and social dimension, and 5) level playing field and business environment.
The automotive industry is a core engine of European prosperity and an essential part of Europe’s identity. European manufacturers have been global leaders since the invention of the automobile, producing iconic brands that set high benchmarks in innovation and excellence. Today, the sector accounts for €1 trillion in GDP, a third of private research and development investment in the EU and it provides direct and indirect employment to 13 million Europeans. For commercial vehicles, European truck makers account for more than 40% of the world market.1 The European automotive industry leadership commands admiration from the world over.
Currently, the sector is undergoing a structural transformation of unprecedented speed and magnitude. The shift to clean mobility is accelerating. In 2024, already one out of five cars sold globally was electric. At the same time, the rapid integration of digital technologies, such as AI, software, sensing and communication devices, together with the increasing importance of digital services and connectivity, are shaking up the sector. It is imperative that the European automotive industry not only navigates, but also shapes the transition to zero-emission, connected and increasingly automated vehicles.
While facing this transition, our automotive industry is also confronted with serious competitiveness challenges. It faces global supply chain risks and dependencies on raw materials and battery imports, a still too large reliance on fossil fuels, fierce competition for talent, cost gaps in key inputs, and an increasingly volatile geopolitical context. European companies risk falling behind on key strategic technologies such as batteries, software, infotainment systems, and autonomous driving, and often have less direct control over many raw material inputs, while overseas competitors are often supported by assertive industrial strategies and receive State support in various forms. This is a pivotal moment for the European automotive industry – decisive action is needed, and the European Union (EU) is committed to support the sector in its transition.
That is the purpose of this Action Plan, which builds on the Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal and – in recent weeks – a wide series of consultations, led by the President of the Commission and several Commission members, in which more than 100 organisations actively participated.2 It sets out concrete measures to help secure global competitiveness of the European automotive industry and maintain a strong European production base through action in five key areas: 1) innovation and digitalisation, 2) clean mobility, 3) competitiveness and supply chain resilience, 4) skills and social dimension, and 5) level playing field and business environment.
US DOT has long been a leader in research, development, and evaluation of technologies for transportation and strong supporter of adoption and use of new and innovative technologies—known as intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Through the leadership of the ITS Joint Program Office (JPO) and modal partners, the U.S. DOT has conducted and sponsored pioneering research and development in technology (RD&T) as well as evaluation of each next generation of ITS. These efforts have enhanced the safety, efficiency, and accessibility of surface transportation for almost three decades—resulting in lives saved, improved access and mobility, and increased economic productivity. This document serves as the ITS JPO’s strategic plan for 2020 through 2025. The plan describes the vision, mission, strategies, and research goals that will guide the ITS JPO in meeting key RD&T priorities for the Department, as described in the U.S. DOT’s Strategic Plan, 2018-2022¹ and the corresponding RD&T Strategic Plan. These Departmental documents provide the basis for the primary direction of ITS research activities. The Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025 offers greater detail and transparency about the role of the ITS JPO in RD&T within the Department.
Vision Accelerate the use of ITS to transform the way society moves.
Mission The ITS JPO leads collaborative and innovative research, development, and implementation of intelligent transportation systems to improve the safety and mobility of people and goods.
To fulfil its mission, the ITS JPO employs a focused set of strategies to lead collaborative research, development, and implementation across U.S. DOT modal administrations and with the private and public sectors. These strategies create a framework (see figure below) in which the ITS JPO can identify and suggest technologies to transform transportation systems for the public good.
This position paper, jointly released by the European Technology Platform ERTRAC and European Partnerships 2Zero and CCAM, urgently calls upon the European Union to strengthen support for the road transport sector’s transformation towards digitalization and decarbonization. The authors emphasize the critical need to defend Europe’s competitiveness against global challenges to its economic sovereignty, particularly within the upcoming EU multi-annual financial framework (FP10).
Road transport is fundamental to European society and economy, enabling daily life, facilitating passenger and freight mobility, and significantly contributing to the EU’s GDP, employment (13 million workers), and trade balance (over €100 billion positive). It is also Europe’s highest R&D spending sector, investing nearly €60 billion annually.
The paper argues that massive investment in Research and Development (R&D) is indispensable for global competitiveness and for achieving key EU objectives, including the Green Deal, Industrial Plan, and Digitalization policy. R&D fosters carbon neutrality, enhances road safety, improves traffic efficiency, and ensures the affordability and resilience of transport systems. Such investment is crucial for reaching the EU’s ambitious 2040 and 2050 targets and securing technological sovereignty.
The European Partnerships 2Zero (Towards Zero Emission Road Transport) and CCAM (Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility) are highlighted as effective instruments for addressing decarbonization and automation, respectively. These partnerships have successfully built unique R&I ecosystems, demonstrating efficient, transparent, and multi-stakeholder approaches to defining research agendas and delivering concrete impacts.
To maintain momentum, the paper proposes expanding the scope of both partnerships. 2Zero should evolve to embrace circular economy principles comprehensively, extending its focus beyond vehicle use to include production, end-of-life management, alternative materials, and digital tools for circular processes. CCAM aims to transition from a technology-centric focus to a holistic ecosystem approach, integrating with physical and digital infrastructures, translating technologies into innovative mobility services, and prioritizing digital transformation through software-centric vehicle control, AI integration, and cybersecurity.
The paper also advocates for flexibility and cross-sector collaboration within FP10. It calls for continued horizontal transport calls, allowing for multi-modal and mode-specific research on topics like urban mobility, logistics efficiency, and infrastructure. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of enhanced collaboration with enabling technology sectors (e.g., batteries, hydrogen, chips, data, AI) to maximize innovation potential. Finally, the signatories urge the creation of “European Flagship Projects” with appropriate, ring-fenced budgets in FP10 to demonstrate large-scale innovation impact, identified collaboratively by existing communities and industrial stakeholders. This strategic research support is essential to preserve the automotive and mobility sector’s strength and competitiveness in Europe, delivering critical societal impacts on climate neutrality and road safety.
The European Automotive and Telecoms Alliance (EATA) was created in 2016 following an initiative by Commissioner Günther Oettinger. It has become a unique forum for cooperation between Europe’s automotive and telecoms sectors: the main aim is to jointly explore how to best accelerate the deployment of connected and automated mobility (CAM) in Europe.
It is crucial that the new EU institutions continue focusing on creating the right enabling conditions across the EU to accelerate the deployment of new mobility solutions, leveraging both connectivity and automation. The goal remains to make Europe’s roads and vehicles safer and smarter by using state of-the-art technology. At the same time this supports the competitiveness of both the automotive and non-automotive companies, which have become active players in this new mobility ecosystem.
This Manifesto aims to give you our view on what policy actions require urgent attention. This is of utmost importance as, in the next five years, we will move from testing and pre-deployment of connected and automated vehicles to the actual introduction of these vehicles in Europe’s transport systems.
EATA core policy subjects are:
1. Enabling a clear framework to foster investment and innovation. Europe needs a holistic approach to CAM. One that promotes investment and innovation, while taking into account the complexity of the legal frameworks currently governing the automotive and telecommunications sectors.
2. Avoiding fragmentation by ensuring coordination of policy initiatives. The European Commission and European Parliament must ensure the coordination of policymaking between different areas relevant to CAM. Our sectors stand ready to support the Commission and Parliament in this work.
3. Technology neutrality is critical for the development of CAM.
Avoid favouring one technology over another based on political priorities. Instead adopt a technology-neutral approach in which market-forces drive innovation and deployment.
4. Accelerating cooperation and leverage on the international stage.
Europe should further leverage its CAM leadership at the international level. European policies and regulations need to build on and shape international developments, while reflecting the global reach of the European industry.
One of the milestones of EATA has been the joint application to the CONCORDA (Connected Corridor for Driving Automation) project. The project, co-funded by the Connecting Europe Facility, will prepare European motorways for automated driving and high-density truck platooning with adequate connected services and technologies.
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