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The application of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is seen as a very promising way to address the negative consequences of road transport. However, not much is known about the very complex mechanisms that have an impact on CO2 emissions. TNO has been coordinating a study commissioned by the EC to find out the ‘Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Energy Efficiency in Road Transport’.
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The aim of the report, whose results are due to be revealed at the end of September, was to analyse how ICT can contribute to reduction of CO2 emissions of and other greenhouse gases through innovative technologies. In addition to its role as coordinator, TNO is responsible for assessing the key systems and models that will be able to resolve some of the challenges related to clean and efficient mobility. The study will help to support the policy making process and to define the role of the DG INFSO role in the ICT debate. The other contributors to the study are VTT (Finland), Volvo Technology (Sweden) and the University of Crete (Greece).
The study reviews three types of ICT based solutions that can contribute to improved energy efficiency. These are eco-solutions, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and traffic management solutions. As many studies are supported by simulation, the study also surveyed existing CO2 emission models that are suitable to calculate the effects of ITS measures on CO2 emissions. In addition, an assessment of aspects relevant to policy making was performed with regard to implementation and deployment of the most promising ICT based CO2 reducing systems and services. TNO’s substantial track record in ITS and wealth of experience and expertise in the field of emissions were essential to both the effective coordination and efficient performance of these tasks that included the analysis of ICT based solutions, synthesis of the results and a review of the state of the art in CO2 emissions modelling.
Over 50 systems were assessed. Initially, quantitative and qualitative information related to environmental impact and implementation issues was collected from earlier studies. A key part of the extended assessment was the estimation of the potential CO2 reduction at EU27 level. This made use of the distribution of total vehicle kilometres in the EU over motorways, rural roads and urban roads as well as over types of traffic flow (free flow, heavy traffic or congested) and vehicle types (percentage of heavy vehicles). TNO combined this information with its expertise in the area of the relationship between speeds and driving dynamics and CO2 emissions for different vehicle types. The official results, which are due for release very soon, will be made known in a subsequent issue of this mobility newsletter.
