Intelligent, Connected, and Cooperative Transport Systems (C-ITS)
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) leverage information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve transportation management, optimize traffic flow, and enhance safety. By integrating ICT into infrastructure, ITS enables local authorities to manage transportation networks efficiently, provide real-time information to users, and implement integrated payment schemes, making urban mobility smarter and more sustainable.
Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) take this a step further, focusing on communication between vehicles and infrastructure. This allows for enhanced coordination, improving road safety and traffic efficiency. C-ITS complements existing ITS technologies by introducing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, enabling actions like traffic signal prioritization for emergency vehicles and improved pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Despite its promise, C-ITS deployment has been slow in urban environments due to challenges like infrastructure complexity, data privacy concerns, and the need for standardization. However, significant European and national investments have been made in C-ITS R&D, and real-world applications in urban areas are starting to emerge.
POLIS is committed to advancing C-ITS in urban settings and has been involved in EU-funded projects like CODECS and CIMEC, which focus on overcoming the challenges of deploying C-ITS in cities.
Key references
Views and requirements of city authorities:
- Requirements of urban transport authorities regarding cooperative V2I and I2V systems and their strategic policy implications – Dec. 2016- CODECS D4.2
- City status and requirements for C-ITS deployment (including results of ITS/C-ITS survey involving 50+ cities) – October 2016 – CIMEC D1.1
- C-ITS roadmap for European cities – CIMEC D3.2– one-pager in English, German and Spanish – CIMEC roadmap summary (16 pages)
Supplier views:
- Supplier views on C-ITS derived from survey and outreach activities – May 2016 – CIMEC D2.3
Urban standardisation issues:
- C-ITS standardisation requirements for the urban environment – Dec. 2016 – CIMEC D2.5
- Feasibility study on common technical specifications for interfacing the vehicle and urban traffic management system – Dec. 2016 – CODECS D4.3
Other useful references:
- UK guide to connected vehicles for local authorities
- UK guide to C-ITS communication technology options - policy implications
- C-ITS Deployment Platform Phase 1 report
- C-ITS Deployment Platform Phase 2 work programme
- C-ITS and public transport article (Eurotransport magazine, issue 1, 2017)

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