Competition in road freight transport is fierce and the recent increase in fuel prices and strong competition from East-European countries have resulted in an increased pressure to reduce costs. Systems for transport planning and warehouse management, automate administrative processes and electronic exchange of messages will become inevitable to defy competition. ECORYS helps market parties through pilot studies and market analyses to get insight in the benefits and costs of several ICT applications.

Better occupation of available infrastructure
Construction of new infrastructure is often too expensive to meet the growing demand. This requires better use of existing infrastructure by applying dynamic traffic management, variable message signs, ramp metering and other telematics applications. ECORYS can help u to better utilise the opportunities ITS offers and to increase insight in its impacts.

Transport safety and ICT
Despite an increase in traffic, the number of traffic victims has gradually decreased the last decades due to the adoption of intelligent in-vehicle technology and information provision to road users. Special sensors for safety belts and ABS make vehicles safer for their passengers. Also dynamic speed signals above the road and warning messages for extreme weather conditions have a positive impact. ECORYS performs policy and impact studies on transport safety.

ICT in public transport and other transport modes
In The Netherlands it soon becomes possible to pay electronically for all public transport means using one single public transport chipcard. This chipcard also enables effective and efficient enforcement of fare dodgers. The provision of dynamic traffic information on bus/tram stops fulfils a clear need of travellers. Systems for information exchange and communication become also more and more introduced in inland navigation (RIS), the maritime sector (MARNIS), rail transport (ERTMS) and intermodal transport.

Information and Communication Economics
Europe is developing relevant legislation for harmonised use of ICT systems in transport. The Directive on Interoperability of Electronic Fee Collection means that European road users can make use of all roads subject to toll all over Europe by having one on board unit and one contract. Currently, there are several different systems in use in Europe which all require a different on board unit as well as a different contract with the issuer. ECORYS studies the impacts of implementing this Directive for the different stakeholders in Europe.

The digital tachograph Directive for digitally recording driving and rest hours has to prevent fraud as happened with the analogue tachograph in buses and trucks. After years of delay, all new trucks and buses have to be equipped with the digital tachograph since May 2006.

After September 11th 2001, Europe has observed an increased attention to security. Security of transport chains and crucial infrastructures are high on the political agenda. In addition to the ISPS code for security in seaports, Europe is now preparing a Directive for supply chain security. ECORYS performs several impact assessments of such European policy initiatives and legislative actions.

ECORYS issues a digital newsletter on Transport and Mobility, 'ROTA'. You can find the latest issue here.

For more information, please contact:

Dick Mans
T 0031 (0) 10 453 88 58
E This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it