The road mobility environment – the area which covers both road transport users and those affected by them – is evolving. Vehicle types are beginning to change as a result of increasing levels of automation. New vehicle types and new types of road user will operate with conventional vehicles and road users as part of an evolving mixed traffic environment. Vulnerable road users are still a continued concern, and in the increasingly connected transport system "vulnerability" may in the future also be more related to the non-connected users and people unable to fully use the potential of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) services offered to mobility. Automated vehicles may enable occupants to be placed out of the traditional seating position (e.g. face to face or in lounge/office environments) while undertaking new activities, thus making them more vulnerable in normal traffic.
(Active and passive) safety systems will need to adapt to the future types of the potential collisions, occupant positioning taking into account possible differences between men and women and vulnerable road users of the future, and address the need to reduce minor and major injuries, as well as fatalities.
Scope:The scope is to assure the development of robust solutions in the context of the changing environment, leading to dramatic improvements in transport users' and road workers' safety. In order to be properly addressed, traffic safety needs to be articulated in terms that are relevant for the connected and automated transport system.
To respond to the challenges proposals should address the following:
In addition at least one of the following themes should be addressed:
The cultural diversity of road users should be considered, as well as age, gender and IT-experience.
In line with the Union’s strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation international cooperation is encouraged.
The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 4 and 8 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
Expected Impact:A reduction of at least a 10% (with respect to 2016 figures) in injuries and fatalities in road accidents, contributing to the ambitions of the Transport White Paper’s goal to reach close to zero road fatalities by 2050. Contribution to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in particular goal 3.6 ("By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents") and SDG 11 (“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”).
Innovative optimum protection systems enabling the occupants of automated vehicles to assume new seating positions and leverage the perceived benefits of automation. Solutions will contribute to industry competitiveness and EU leadership in road safety.
Harmonised and relevant methods for the assessment of safety solutions in both real-world conditions and in future mobility scenarios, e.g. based on virtual simulations with validated models and/or based on experimental results.
Safer use of vehicles, effective education and training schemes and increased awareness of all road users in the evolving road mobility environment.
Cross-cutting Priorities:Gender
Socio-economic science and humanities
International cooperation
COM(2012)497
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