New technologies and innovation: digitalisation of road transport - works

Objective

The objective of this call is to modernise transport infrastructure and enhance the digitalisation of road transport on the TEN-T network.

Scope

Works related to:

Projects fostering the deployment of new technologies and innovation by supporting test-beds / infrastructure for autonomous vehicles [1]. The focus will be specifically on investments in infrastructure for commercial (pre-) deployment of autonomous vehicles, implementing sufficiently mature technology that do not include Research & Innovation activities.

The projects to be financed shall contribute to the deployment of highly automated vehicles on the road for real operation, requiring investment in infrastructure to ensure the efficient operation of autonomous vehicles, in two areas:

1. Establishing control centers (IT equipment for remote supervision of highly automated vehicles, offering support in challenging or unexpected situations). Support is not provided to the construction of actual buildings (such as TMC building).
2. Deploying digital infrastructure for accurate vehicle positioning and communication with the surrounding environment (including interaction with emergency services). Particular attention will be paid to digital infrastructure that enables the automatic transmission of driving data and the recording of events (e.g. accidents or near-accidents). Where necessary, to complement the deployment of digital infrastructure, modifying road infrastructure (such as extending merging lanes) can also be supported, as long as demonstrated to be limited to the necessary for the objectives of deployment of autonomous vehicles.

In both cases applicants are expected to explain in their application if/how their project will use EU harmonized (e.g. C-ROADS [2]) and sovereign digital infrastructure.

Projects may be complementary to those financed by Horizon Europe [3].

Projects can be located on the core, extended core and/or comprehensive network as well as in urban nodes of the TEN-T network. In case the application covers certain road sections outside the TEN-T network, applicants have to justify their need and demonstrate their positive effects for the TEN-T network.

Support is not provided for the funding of vehicles, vehicles equipment and alternative fuels infrastructure.

[1] The funded infrastructure should be in line with Directive 2010/40/EU as amended by EU 2023/2661 on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport if relevant.

[2] https://www.c-roads.eu/

[3] The Horizon Europe call “Flagship-pilot: large-scale demonstrations of CCAM (CCAM Partnership) HORIZON-CL5-2026-10-D6-01” finances research and demonstration projects on the integration of technologies, testing, validation, operation, public engagement, awareness campaigns, other research and eventually vehicles.