Techno-economic assessment of the potential of intelligent transport systems to reduce CO2 emissions

This study assesses the technical feasibility, economic affordability and social acceptability of low-greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intelligent transport systems (ITS) that could be implemented in the European road infrastructure over the next 40 years for passenger and freight traffic. Three ITS applications are considered: driver assistance systems and the automated highway system (AHS) for passenger traffic and commercial vehicle operations for freight traffic. These technologies are anticipated to lead to a more efficient use of the existing road network, while potentially reducing GHG emissions generated by vehicles. The impact of ITS on road capacity and vehicle's CO2 emissions is determined. Assessment is based on a reference system, which consists of the average new vehicle in the road network of the EU-27 countries. The various opportunities offered by the selected ITS technologies are specified and the major constraints for reducing GHG emissions are identified. Cost-effectiveness and sensitivity analysis is carried out. The results are validated by a suitably designed expert-based survey. It is found that ITS have the potential to improve capacity and reduce emissions. The most significant benefits are offered by the deployment of AHS. Social acceptability issues such as privacy and liability need to be further addressed to facilitate wide deployment of ITS.