Page 38 - European Energy Innovation - Autumn 2016 publication

38 Autumn 2016 European Energy Innovation

COMMUNICATION

Intelligent Transport Systems
– a Tool or a Toy?

Message from the organisers

THE EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND UNIVERSITY OF ŽILINA
TECHNOLOGY (COST) The University of Žilina has a long tradition in transport and
Over the past 30 years, the European Cooperation in Science information and communication technologies research – two
and Technology (COST) has been helping researchers main technological pillars of Intelligent Transport Systems.
coordinate national initiatives leading up to today’s Intelligent
Transport Systems (ITS) concept. COST networks – also known In 2014, the University was awarded an ERA Chair grant for
as Actions – have been proposing solutions for transport ITS, meant to unlock the university’s research potential and
issues affecting European citizens’ lives, especially in urban strengthen Žilina region’s position in the field, while boosting
areas: air quality, congestion, safety, accessibility, equity, ITS solutions Europe-wide.
inter-modality and journey time.
We are very proud that the event is held under the auspices
For instance, transport operators and experts are now able of the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European
to analyse harmonised EU data thanks to the COST Action Union. This transdisciplinary conference – organised
“SHANTI” methodology, meant to measure urban mobility. alongside the European Cooperation in Science in
Travellers are also receiving more reliable information and Technology (COST) and ERTICO – is the perfect opportunity
experiencing safer journeys thanks to the work of TU1004 to set up a unique platform for leading European research
and TU1305, the latter using big data to improve transit institutions, companies, and government agencies to
predictive models. Similarly, app users may soon take exchange ideas. This will help build stronger connections
advantage of European tracking and tracing technology, between European researchers and all other stakeholders.
as Action SaPPART is advancing work on a standard use of
Global Navigation Satellite Systems for personal mobility We are confident that the debate will identify all the
applications (EGNOS and Galileo). necessary tools to improve decision makers’ understanding
of ITS uses, in order to meet transport policy goals at all
Understanding, analysing and developing ITS is a complex levels.
matter, requiring a wide range of expertise. We noticed that
COST Actions in ITS tend to grow more interdisciplinary, Dr Karl Ernst Ambrosch
as they engage experts from different backgrounds: urban ERA Chair holder
planners, architects, transportation engineers, sociologists University of Žilina l
and economists. This way, COST networks sum up the
interdisciplinary nature of ITS.

By co-organising the conference, COST and the invited
Actions aim to share their experience and expertise with
the wider ITS community, and certainly stimulate future
collaborations.

Dr Mickael Pero
Science Officer
COST Association
www.cost.eu/events/itstooltoy

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