#EUCAD2023 – Current State and Future of CCAM Technology Deployment in Europe
The fourth edition of #EUCAD2023 came to a close with great success. More than 600 individuals registered for the two-day event, with over 400 attendees present on-site. Apart from the plenary sessions and breakouts, there were several activities organised, including the launch of the CINEA publication showcasing Horizon Europe-funded research projects in the CCAM field, and the update of the CCAM Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda during the transversal session 2. The conference also featured a showcasing of SHOW H2020 project vehicles (Yapes delivery robot, mini-bus, automated car and shuttle), which promote automated urban mobility and logistics, and advance sustainable transport.
A networking event was organised, together with EUCAR, at the Autoworld Museum, where many CCAM funded projects were exhibiting: Modi, Ultimo, SELFY, PoDIUM, IN2CCAM, Althena, EVENTS, AWARE2ALL, …
#EUCAD2023 – DAY 1
The first day of the conference saw Signe Ratso from EC DG RTD, Herald Ruijters from EC DG MOVE, and Nikolai Ardey from VW Group Innovation expressing support for the European mobility roadmap in building sustainable infrastructure and providing digital CASE services.
The first plenary session of the conference emphasised the need for cooperation between national, European, and international programs to increase the impact of R&I programs and build a common vision to maximise impacts from innovation investments. It will contribute greatly to drive CCAM towards market and societal uptake.
The second plenary session underlined the importance of all stakeholders, such as toll road operators, working together to make CCAM a reality. Data sharing is crucial for the advancement of CCAM (and achieving environmental and societal goals). It needs clear and harmonised legal framework to make C-ITS work, along with the development of widespread infrastructure.
The first transversal session focused on the synergies between funding instruments for research and for deployment. CEF is a key funding tool for CCAM projects in Europe, notably on infrastructures.
While the second transversal session was about the update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda process and how everyone can contribute.
The discussions and presentations on CCAM during the breakouts sparked a lot of questions and debates about its potential to promote sustainable mobility. In order to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of road transportation during the transition era, CCAM must become a governmental priority. It is crucial to keep in mind that road transportation is only one component of the broader transportation system. Engaging a diverse variety of stakeholders to develop extra business models and use cases is vital to build a more stable and effective multi-modal transport system.
#EUCAD2023 – DAY 2
The second day of the conference started with a legislative orientation in the presentations and discussions in plenary session 3. The regulatory framework needs to stay agile in order to keep up with the market in the face of advancing technology. Otherwise, as clearly stated by our Vice Chair, Christian Scharnhorst, at the opening, “Let’s take learnings from electrification to automation as also for this topic there will not be a second chance but rather ‘the winner takes it all’ and will keep it.”
The following plenary session presented two projects on providing 5G coverage for Connected and Automated mobility, which will have an influence on many industries, including logistics and road safety, … beside autonomous transportation. It is essential to modify the regulatory framework so that consumers, stakeholders, and operators may all profit from it.
The last transversal session of the conference confirmed the importance of the CCAM States Representatives Group in implementing CCAM deployment across Europe. Legislative gaps, testing procedures, role of infrastructure operators, etc. are all recognised and addressed there, enabling the involvement of interested parties and the formation of partnerships.
The final three breakout sessions covered a wide range of topics, including inclusivity, sustainability, efficiency, speed, data sharing, shared mobility, safety, and most importantly, user demands. To ensure that the widespread adoption of CCAM solutions is secure and trusted, several use cases must be investigated.
Despite the level of difficulty involved in implementing them, the use cases are crucial because they must show that CCAM solutions are worthwhile. Like the first set of three breakout sessions, collaboration needs to be expanded to include many additional stakeholders in order to develop shared definitions and expertise. Harmonisation at every level is crucial!
#EUCAD2023 – Concluding words
The industry has matured to the point where standards, regulations, and broad adoption are now its main priorities.
Two different schools of thought were represented at the conference: one favoured the widespread implementation of CCAM technologies, while the other favoured a phased approach. It is crucial to understand that both strategies have advantages and that there is room for expanding the use of CCAM solutions (“islands of opportunity”).
More pilots, testing, and information exchange are required to increase public confidence in these technologies. Fortunately, the conference provided a wealth of examples of CCAM programs that were successful, including regulation for automated driving systems, 5G connection corridors, alternatives for short-range connectivity, and mobility data spaces. The development being made is also shown through funded research like SHOW.
As there is still a sense of urgency, we must share our knowledge in order to make the transition to CCAM solutions as smooth and quick as possible.
You can view the photo gallery from the event as well as the replay of each session.
