Telematics applications for transport in Europe

Existing telecommunications technologies with Europe-wide standards had already proved excellent for specific telematics applications in transport. The ESC considered that in order to improve safety, reduce pollution, avoid congestion and improve vehicle utilisation, it was essential to act forthwith to create the political framework and develop the Europe-wide preconditions necessary for the implementation of the system, which could then be left as far as possible to the private sector. Sectoral cost/benefit considerations were conducive to private-sector initiatives by both systems providers and users in the transport telematics sphere. Macroeconomic cost/benefit considerations should accommodate political and social imponderables, although the discussion on objectives, means and effects should be conducted as honestly and objectively as possible, taking into consideration the opinions of all those concerned. The development of trans-European transport networks provided a good opportunity to clarify goals and establish a political framework and the conditions necessary for using telematics in transport.