*The vision of an interconnected Europe through “Intelligent Communications Transport” *

  On July 17, 2012, the EU transport and telecommunications ministers will meet in an Informal Ministerial Meeting in Lefkosia (Nicosia) to discuss how to optimise the use of information and communications technologies for transport. The Cyprus Presidency aims at integrating two central policies, the Digital Agenda for Europe and the EU Transport Policy, thus contributing to economic growth, sustainability and social cohesion. The meeting will be held at the “Filoxenia” Conference Center in Lefkosia (Nicosia) in the presence of Vice President Kallas, while its conclusions will be presented at the World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems to be hosted in Austria in October.

Ministers will discuss the role of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in the implementation of the European transport policy.
A modern and well developed transport and telecommunications infrastructure is vital for the growth of the EU economy and its competitiveness. By promoting the development of public open data policies and by addressing multimodality through the effective development of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), the Cyprus Presidency looks to contribute substantially to the successful implementation of these infrastructures.
“The development of trans-European transport and telecoms networks, which form part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) could be achieved more effectively through the integration of these two central policies” the Minister of Communciations and Works Mr Efthymios Flourentzou underlined.

Intelligent Communications Transport to boost Connecting Europe Facility

Paraphrasing the well-known abbreviation ICT (Information Communications Technology) to “Intelligent Communications Transport”, the Cyprus Presidency attempts to reveal the benefits that could arise from the successful interaction of these two policy areas.
This interaction will greatly contribute to the effective implementation of the underlying objectives of the Connecting Europe Facility for Europe’s growth and economic recovery.
“We should endeavour to remove barriers in order to acquire the full benefits from the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems” Mr Flourentzou said.
Opening up public data resources, which is one of the key actions of the Digital Agenda for Europe, will facilitate the access to transport data (especially public transport information) and its availability for re-use. This will foster the emergence of reliable multimodal travel information and the creation of safe and effective transport management services.
During the morning session, discussions will focus on the role of the re-use of public open data as a key element to smart transport.  The vision of working towards a Pan-European Data Portal, the need to address barriers to data access as well as their effect on transport will be highlighted.
Discussions during the afternoon session will focus on the potential of deploying ITS and Multimodality in and between cities.  The need for the development of European Multimodal Journey Planners and integrated ticketing, the wider deployment of ITS on the Trans-European Transport networks and their contribution in fostering sustainable mobility in urban areas will be addressed.
Eminent speakers from industry stakeholders will also take part in the debates on the current developments and future prospects on these fast growing innovative sectors.

Bien à vous,

Morgane BRAVO

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