TRANSPORT COUNCIL : INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT: MEMBER STATES WILL HAVE LAST WORD.

• Position: Brief article

Member states are sure to have the last word in the decision on whether or not to introduce intelligent transport systems (ITS) in the field of road transport on their territories. ITS integrate telecommunications, electronics and information technologies into transport systems: systems that calculate the itinerary, help for drivers, road tolls, help in emergency breaking, etc.

The subject was raised briefly during the Council of EU transport ministers in Brussels, on 17 December 2009. Ministers debated a proposal for a directive presented in December 2008 which would result in the compulsory deployment of ITS on the territory of all EU member states. But it will not be the case: after informal discussions between the European Parliament and the Council, the formula which is looking the most likely outcome will leave member states to choose for themselves. In order to avoid any ambiguity on the subject and insofar as the Commission will always reserve the possibility of proposing the...