Introduction

Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) is reshaping the European Union’s transportation landscape, ushering in an era of smarter, safer, and more efficient mobility solutions and technologies. This innovative concept integrates advanced technologies with carefully crafted policies to revolutionize how people and goods move.

In this article, we will briefly delve into the intricate policy aspects surrounding CCAM in the EU. We will explore both the current state of CCAM policy and the future developments poised to further shape the transportation sector.

The current policy landscape of CCAM in the EU

  • Regulatory framework: At the heart of CCAM policy in the EU is a robust regulatory framework. The European Commission has been diligent in establishing legislation aimed at ensuring safety, interoperability, and data privacy. Key regulations include the “General Safety Regulation (EU) 2018/858”, the “Cybersecurity Act (EU) 2019/881″, the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679” – known as the GDPR. Furthermore, the Commission is constantly working to update and enrich the regulatory framework: recent is the proposal, for example, of the “Data Governace Act”, aiming to strengthen the governance of data sharing, enhancing transparency and trust in the CCAM ecosystem. These legislative initiatives provide a sound foundation for CCAM policy, addressing the technical, safety, privacy and cybersecurity aspects of connected and automated mobility. The EU’s commitment to a forward-thinking regulatory framework underscores its dedication to realizing the full potential of CCAM while safeguarding the interests and safety of its citizens.
  • Standardization and interoperability: Interoperability is a critical challenge in the CCAM ecosystem, as diverse systems must seamlessly communicate. The EU has a proactively fostered standardization through organizations lice CEN and CENELEC (https://www.cencenelec.eu/), facilitating cross-border deployment of CCAM solutions.
  • Data governance: CCAM generates vast amount of data, necessitating comprehensive policies for data governance and privacy. As seen, regulations such as the GDPR and the Data Governance Act are fundamental in managing and sharing CCAM-related data securely and transparently.
  • International cooperation: Recognizing that CCAM extends beyond national borders, the EU actively promotes international collaboration. Policies encourage cooperation with non-EU countries on CCAM standards and regulations, ensuring harmonized global approach.
  • Testing and deployment: The EU supports pilot projects and real-world testing to validate CCAM technologies. Initiatives like the European Truck Platooning Challenge and the European Data Task Force promote practical implementations and offer valuable learning experience and knowledge transfer.

Future policies in CCAM

  • Enhanced safety regulations: As CCAM technologies evolve, the EU will continue to update and enhance safety regulations. These regulations will ensure the highest levels of reliability and security, further building public trust and acceptance in automated mobility.
  • Data governance evolution: The EU is expected to refine data governance policies, addressing critical issues such as data ownership, liability, and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in CCAM systems.
  • Cross-sector integration: CCAM does not exist in isolation; it intersects with various sectors. The EU will encourage integration with energy and environmental policies to optimize traffic flow and reduce emissions, aligning with sustainability goals.
  • Ethical considerations: Policymakers will delve deeper into the ethical aspects of CCAM, addressing complex dilemmas like the “trolley problem”. Ensuring that automated system prioritize human safety and well-being will be a top priority.
  • Sustainable mobility: Sustainability is a core pillar of EU policy. CCAM will play a significant role in supporting sustainable mobility, with policies incentivizing the adoption of electric and low emission vehicles within automated systems.
  • Public engagement: The EU will actively engage with the public to ensure the acceptance and trustworthiness of CCAM. This engagement will involve education campaigns and platforms for citizens to provide input, fostering a positive reception of transformative technologies.

The contribution of SINFONICA

Our project aims to make a significant contribution to policy development for CCAM solutions in the EU and beyond. The focus of SINFONICA is precisely on the social aspects of user acceptability and usability of CCAM technologies, with a specific focus on social inclusion. The research and solutions developed in SINFONICA will be a point of reference for public institutions and policy makers, who will be able to rely on the results and outputs of the project to draw insights and best practices with the aim of deploying CCAM services and solutions that are actually socially optimal and inclusive.

Conclusions

The policy landscape of Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) in the European Union is a dynamic and evolving arena. The EU’s current policies provide a strong foundation for the safe and effective deployment of CCAM technologies. As CCAM continues to reshape the transportation landscape, the EU’s forward-thinking policies will play a crucial role in ensuring that benefits of this transformation are realized while addressing potential risks and concerns.

Keywords: CCAM, European Union, EU policy, regulatory framework, standardization, data governance, safety regulations, data privacy, sustainability, interoperability, smart mobility, GDPR, CCAM policy

Author: Dario Irrera (RE:LAB)

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