DIGITALEUROPE urges technology neutrality in draft C-ITS delegated act
DIGITALEUROPE has learned that the European Commission is planning to release a delegated act in the context of its work on the deployment of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS).
While we fully support the Commission’s objectives of improving the safety, efficiency and environmental impact of transportation, it is crucial for the delegated act to ensure technology neutrality, one of the guiding principles of EU regulation.
“Connected cars are part and parcel of the digital transformation of Europe’s economy and society. If we get deployment wrong we risk reinstating silos in the transport sector and delaying the broader uptake and interoperability of connected mobility”, said Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, Director General of DIGITALEUROPE.
“The digital ecosystem is highly dynamic: technology neutrality is a key principle that we need to protect and enhance if we want to deploy the best technologies and achieve scale for the EU ecosystem”, she concluded.
The C-ITS Directive (Directive 2010/40/EU) creates a framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport. Within this framework, the delegated act should not mandate one connectivity technology but establish the necessary specifications. Failing to do so would endanger the creation of sustainable business models in the transportation and digital ecosystems. Technology neutrality is key for Europe to maintain and innovate digital mobility infrastructure and services. We should never stop innovation and the opportunity to benefit from mainstream, market-driven developments.
DIGITALEUROPE therefore urges the European Commission, Member States and European Parliament to allow for sufficient review of this important delegated act, which will have a significant impact on the future deployment of connected and automated mobility in Europe. The principle of technology neutrality should not be only upheld in formal terms but should allow for practical inclusion of all existing connectivity solutions.
