Europe’s vision for Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) has made significant strides, reaching a pivotal juncture. With €1 billion invested through Horizon Europe’s CCAM Programme, the CCAM Partnership has fuelled crucial progress in technology, safety validation, infrastructure, societal needs, and pilot projects across Europe. Yet, advancing CCAM from pilot phases to everyday urban applications requires use cases and deployment that meet actual societal needs, complement existing mobility services and is economically viable.
As the 2025 ITS European Congress in Seville approaches, the stage is set for experts to propel CCAM forward into widespread adoption.
This is a defining moment to contribute to the discussions, frameworks, and solutions that can transform European mobility. Here’s how your expertise could be the catalyst for real change.
1. CCAM’s Societal and Economic Impact: Addressing Key Mobility Challenges for a Resilient Future
At its core, CCAM aspires to enhance Europe’s social and economic landscape, positioning mobility as a force for equality and connection. Realising CCAM’s potential for accessible, sustainable mobility in underserved areas requires a nuanced approach to Europe’s diverse infrastructure and regional needs.
Researchers could explore scalable deployment strategies for both densely populated and remote areas. Case studies on the socio-economic impact of CCAM, such as rural connectivity pilots or workforce developments in automated transport, could guide regional integration and support local economies while advancing Europe’s sustainability goals.
2. Bridging Borders with Unified Standards and Policies
One of the critical hurdles in CCAM’s full-scale deployment remains the lack of harmonised standards across Europe. The regulatory landscape is a patchwork, with each EU member state implementing its own standards for data, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications, and cybersecurity. While platforms like C-Roads and the Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) Initiative have laid a foundation for cross-border standardisation, bridging these regulatory gaps remains essential to achieve true interoperability.
Research that proposes a unified framework for cross-border CCAM implementation could be transformative. Imagine a Europe where vehicles and infrastructure communicate seamlessly, regardless of borders. By sharing insights from successful cross-border interoperability pilots, your work could help establish policy frameworks that enable CCAM to operate smoothly across jurisdictions, setting a solid path for scalable and integrated mobility throughout Europe.
3. Scaling Up: Moving CCAM from Pilot Projects to Rural Reality
CCAM pilots have shown great promise – from share autonomous vehicles to last-mile logistics. Yet moving these initiatives from controlled tests and demonstrations to fully operational and integrated systems require more than technology; it demands clear business models and infrastructure support. Each city, with its unique needs, adds complexity to scaling these solutions across Europe.
A contribution that provides actionable models for scaling CCAM in diverse urban environments would address one of the field’s most pressing challenges. Research exploring funding mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and infrastructure adaptations will be critical. Successful case studies of CCAM scaling, especially those revealing adaptable approaches to existing urban layouts, could provide city planners and policymakers with the tools they need to turn pilot projects into long-term, sustainable infrastructures.
4. Artificial Intelligence as the Core Engine of Predictive and Sustainable Mobility
AI is the engine behind CCAM’s most promising applications, enabling real-time environment perception and decision making, predictive maintenance, and seamless traffic management. However, for AI to reach its full potential in CCAM, algorithms must advance beyond theoretical models to handle the complexity and unpredictability of live urban environments. The need now is for AI systems that can process vast data in real time, optimising energy use and enhancing traffic flow while remaining resilient against unexpected disruptions.
A paper that dives into AI’s role in making CCAM adaptive, predictive, and sustainable would be instrumental for the field. By focusing on AI’s real-world applications in reducing congestion and emissions, enhancing safety, and providing seamless urban mobility, your research can demonstrate how AI is not merely a tool but the core enabler of CCAM’s success. Insights into AI’s adaptability in high-density scenarios, backed by specific case studies, could show how intelligent mobility systems can meet Europe’s ambitious sustainability and resilience targets.
Take the Lead in CCAM at the ITS European Congress
The ITS European Congress in Seville is more than a gathering of experts; it’s where Europe’s future in connected mobility takes shape. By addressing CCAM’s complex challenges and seizing its potential, your contributions can directly impact how European cities adopt clean, connected, and resilient transportation.
Submit your research by 10 January 2025 to be part of Europe’s mobility revolution. Don’t miss next month’s issue, where we’ll cover Emerging Data Solutions for Mobility – a crucial pillar supporting CCAM’s seamless, data-driven future.