‘Driverless cars to be on European streets within five years’, says EU Commissioner

Driverless cars will be deployed in significant numbers in controlled environments within the next five years, predicted Violeta Bulc, Commissioner for Transport, European Commission, during the opening of the 22^nd ITS [Intelligent Transport Systems] World Congress in Bordeaux. 

“It is really exciting to see how quickly this technology is emerging,” said Bulc. “The technology itself is almost ready, I am sure we are talking about a few years… in controlled environments, for example, ports, airports and campuses.”

However, Bulc did note that concerns on safety, security and acceptance of the technology could delay the further take-up of autonomous vehicles in common city settings.

“I am sure we will overcome these as well, as I have already seen some good partnerships being developed,” she said. “However, it will take another few years to come up with the legislative framework. We also need to look at the depreciation cycles of infrastructure, which could be 10 to 15 years, and the importance of global and regional standards and frameworks.”

Cees de Wijs, Chairman of ERTICO–a multi-sector, public-private partnership that develops and deploys intelligent transport systems and services–said driverless vehicles are just one dream that is becoming a reality due to the convergence of mobility as a service, electrification and automation.

“This is now happening, and this is why we are supporting the activities we are,” de Wijs said. “In these cities we really see that communication between car and infrastructure leads to less congestion, safer journeys, and better citizen services. As well as improving quality of life, and helping all of us to battle climate change.”

Lifetime achievement awards were presented to three local governments on the second day. The winners from three geographical regions were recognised for their efforts in deploying new ITS products or services within their cities. AustriaTech (Europe), Queensland Department of Transport (Asia-Pacific) and British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (The Americas) accepted their awards and were inducted into the ITS Hall of Fame.

Improved cooperation between the Transport Department and the State Emergency Services in Queensland has resulted in a 27 percent reduction in emergency response times and travel times which has helped save lives. On accepting his award, Philip Lloyd, General Manager of Products and Services, Transmax, said it is sometimes the low-tech basic ITS improvements that can be as powerful as the high-tech solutions.

“It is easy for us to concentrate on cooperative technologies, but this solution shows something more basic which is cooperative people and agencies,” said Lloyd. “The success of this project was teaming together with a common vision to help save lives.”

Over 10,000 global leaders from 100 countries in the ITS industry are participating in discussions and demonstrations at the 22^nd annual ITS World Congress in Bordeaux, France. The Congress, run by ERTICO – ITS Europe and hosted by TOPOS Aquitaine, is held from 5 to 9 October.