Sustainable and smart mobility is at the forefront of EU’s research with the goal of developing, testing and exploiting innovative technological solutions for a safer road transport. The field of Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) aims to facilitate the communication between vehicles, physical and digital infrastructure, and road users by incorporating all digital services and functions necessary to achieve viable, efficient, equitable and inclusive automated driving, also employing a vast and ever-expanding range of advanced technologies. The wide range of complex CCAM terminology poses the need for a common vocabulary that would enable a common understanding by all stakeholders involved in the CCAM ecosystem.
Currently, there are several vocabularies in place, each addressing different aspects of connected and automated vehicles, connectivity and automation. However, a common comprehensive vocabulary addressing both technical and social aspects is still missing. To this end, a classification of terms is considered important to facilitate the utilisation of a common vocabulary from different stakeholders and for different purposes. For example, terms related to vehicles equipment is just one class of terms that need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner. Then we also have data, communication and connectivity, automation capabilities of vehicles, infrastructure and management, legislation, social aspects of CCAM that also contain specific terms that need to be documented and used with consistency. Moreover, the ever-evolving nature of CCAM is expected to be enriched with new concepts and terminology as we move forward and increase the need for continuous updates to keep track of all new advances.
In addition, a common CCAM vocabulary has the potential to enhance the evaluation and assessment of direct and indirect impact of CCAM solutions, as it will facilitate the development of a common evaluation and impact assessment methodology based on well-defined terms. Therefore, a taxonomy of terms ensuring a common language understood by all stakeholders is considered imperative. A detailed taxonomy of the CCAM ecosystem can also constitute the basis for a knowledge map where the inherent complex and strong interrelationships between stakeholders and end-users needs, requirements, desires and expectations could be further detailed.
SINFONICA aims to create a comprehensive CCAM vocabulary to support the project’s its activities, allowing partners to operate with a common understanding of the notions and the terminology. It is also intended to be used after the end of the SINFONICA project as a reference point for future CCAM projects. Moreover, it serves as the basis of the SINFONICA CCAM Taxonomy, capturing the technical and social aspects of CCAM which will be used for the development of SINFONICA’s Knowledge Map Explorer. The SINFONICA Knowledge Map Explorer will serve as a decision-making support tool for decision makers, designers and deployers of CCAM solutions, allowing them to explore best practices, long-term recommendations and practical guidelines based on the specific needs and requirements of end-users.
It becomes evident that a comprehensive CCAM vocabulary can act as the backbone of future CCAM deployment simplifying the discussion between stakeholders and offering the opportunity to build innovative recommendation and evaluation tools.
Keywords: CCAM vocabulary, classification, taxonomy, innovative tools
Author: Lazaros Giannakos (ICCS)
Picture by pch.vector on Freepik
