1. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS (ITS)
Informal document GRSP-49-05
(49th GRSP, May 2011,
agenda item 21(c))
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS (ITS)
UNECE role to promote ITS
Edoardo Gianotti
ITS focal point of UNECE
I would like to introduce you some of the most relevant activities carried out last year concerning the Intelligent Transport Systems issues in the framework of UNECE.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has a broader understanding of what can come under the umbrella of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). UNECE is dealing with ITS within all modes of inland transportation. ITS is the link between vehicles, the infrastructure and the driver. Therefore, we are examining its use in vehicles, from vehicle to vehicle and from vehicle to infrastructure. Strongly connected to this conception is road safety.

2. Revolutionary innovations supported by UNECE WP.29 regulations
Electronic Stability Control Systems
ABS
Cruise Control
On Board Diagnostic
Adaptive Front-Lighting Systems
Airbags
Automatically commanded braking
Cornering lamps
Brake assist systems (BAS)
Lane Departure Warning system (LDW) - controversial
Regulators and other stakeholders interested in vehicle safety and public health are monitoring the development of new technologies that offer the potential to reduce mortality rates and the economic burdens associated with vehicle crashes. With this aim in mind, many technologies (i.e. as those listed here) have been incorporated into UNECE legal instruments through the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) that have enhanced protection of vulnerable road users and improving fuel consumption.
December 1, 2018

3. WP work and consultations started on ITS
Variable message signs
Who is in control of the vehicle
Round table during ITF 2010
Liability remains a concern
Recently, the Working Party on Road safety (WP.1) approved the creation of an ad hoc group of experts on variable message signs (VMS). To prevent the occurrences of misleading information via these sings it will be an increased effort on international harmonisation.
¨However WP.1 is facing other challenges such as:
The Liability concern:
Where is the limit of technology?
How much can be or how much is allowed to be automated?
Who is responsible, who is liable?
In May 2010, UNECE hosted a side event on the future deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) at the annual session of the International Transport Forum (ITF) in Leipzig, where participants focused on the theme of “Transport and Innovation”.
The ITS side event addressed the main challenges facing Governments, international organizations and the UNECE in promoting the deployment of ITS and discussed the key policies and action to pursuing this aim.
Moderated by UNECE Transport Division Director Eva Molnar, the event played host to some of the most prominent ITS stakeholders in the world. Participants shared information on the benefits of ITS and the present and future challenges facing ITS deployment. Topics included liability problems about the role of the driver and vehicle control systems, road safety issues and other matters such as human error and the use of variable message signs (VMS). The side event also highlighted the impact that ITS could have as a modal integrator and facilitator of green and efficient transport.
As part of the conclusion of the round table it was underlined the need to reflect technological changes in legal instruments such as the 1968 Vienna Convention. However, as was already stated during this ITC session, for the time being it is not the case to change the Vienna Convention because technology is not replacing the driver but assisting the driver. As future driver assistance systems will advance, many implications on liability will be conveyed with intelligent system.
December 1, 2018

4. UNECE Research and Strategy
Research findings
ITS is under-utilized
Resistance to societal changes
Lack of common definition
Major initiatives against the tide
Lack of enabling framework
The way forward - UNECE Package for ITS
Background paper
Strategic note
Road Map
Why under-utilised?
Is it a question of level of economic development?
Is it a question of financing capacity?
Is it a question of institutional capacity?
Is it a question of legal framework?
Is it a question of information architecture?
Is it a question of clear liability provisions?
Is it a question of generation gap?
Is it a question of public – private dialogue?
Societal changes:
ITS is not just technology it is a new culture of doing things
It requires giving up some of our privacy
It requires traditional public institutions to change
Within transport
Within the government
It may pose new threats on our security
In order to devise the way forward the UNECE Transport Division is developing a strategic package in the different areas of its competencies on ITS technologies and their prospective implementation in a harmonized way. A strategic note will focus on past and present UNECE actions on ITS and identifies the ways and means of their deployment in the future. The UNECE assignment on ITS is to know, share and act in order to facilitate harmonized policies.
December 1, 2018

5. Strategic note – public consultations
Draft for consultation
Inland Transport Committee
Key stakeholders
Web-based
To underpin the UNECE Road Map on ITS
UNECE is launching now a Public consultation concering this strategic package. The consultation will be open to all Governments and interested stakeholders. It will be closed on 31st May All information are available at the UNECE Transport Division website (see: Delegates and respective Contracting Parties are warmly welcome to participate and will be informed by letters and .
The strategic package consists of an ITS background document for information, developed in collaboration with the Italian ministry of transport and SINA (the Society for national motorway Initiatives, Italy). And a strategic note prepared by the secretariat of the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) to which we invite comments. Hardcopies of this document are available on the desk of this room.

6. The Road Map (draft) Annual UNECE Roundtable on main ITS issues
Capacity building workshops
Working Party related tasks
Vehicle to infrastructure communication
Vehicle to vehicle communication
Liability concerns (1968 Vienna Convention)
Variable Message Signs
International ITS architecture
Overcome lack of harmonized policies
Once the consultation is closed, all comments received will be reviewed and the Secretariat will finalize the strategic note and present the UNECE Road Map on ITS as a final outcome of the whole process. With the Road Map UNECE aims at defining concrete actions that will be performed in order to foster the deployment of ITS globally. (Such actions could be: annual Round Tables, capacity building workshops, incorporating ITS into the work of all UNECE Working parties through its legal instruments, etc.).
Thank you Mr. Chair.
December 1, 2018