Towards a Single and Innovative European Transport System SINTRAS : barriers analysis and action plans : final report

Europe faces the challenge of meeting growing demand for transport with shrinking public financial resources, while reducing environmental impacts, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, reducing dependency on imported hydrocarbons and lowering accident rates. The European Commission's transport strategy responds to these challenges. It recognises that innovation is vital in achieving these aims but notes that the adoption of innovative solutions is hampered by barriers due, in part, to the fragmented nature of Europe's transport system. This report presents the final results of a study to examine these barriers and to propose actions to overcome them. The report examines five Focus Areas: connected driving and automation of transport, and the use of automated optimisation of traffic flows; transformation of infrastructure to address connectivity, resilience, new fuels and energy efficiency; smart mobility services (including provision and use of data, and urban mobility), freight and logistics; standardisation and interoperability; and alternative fuels other than electrification. Although technology development in the five Focus Areas continues, the report finds that the main barriers relate to the implementation and exploitation of existing innovations. The proposed actions address European-level policy; incentive schemes; standardisation; transnational collaboration; the use of data; funding for research, development and innovation; and capacity building.