Intended Participants

This public level consultation is being targeted at EU citizens, local or regional public authorities, national public authorities, public and private transport operators, multimodal travel information service providers, associations, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, companies, academia, and various actors along the travel information data value/service chain who have an interest in the issue of provision and usage of EU-wide multimodal travel information services.

The responses received by the participants will be taken into consideration for the development of the relevant specifications within the frame of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Directive.

Why is the consultation necessary?

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) can significantly contribute to a more sustainable, safer and efficient transport system and the ITS Directive was adopted to accelerate the deployment of these innovative transport technologies across Europe.

The ITS Directive provides for the adoption of functional, technical and organisational specifications in the form of a delegated act to ensure the compatibility, interoperability and continuity for the deployment and operational use of EU-wide multimodal travel information services (Priority Action "A" of the ITS Directive). This delegated act will be a binding policy measure laying down provisions containing requirements or any other relevant rules to be followed in the case of deployment.

At present, multimodal information services across Europe lack interoperability and are fragmented in terms of what they offer including modal and geographical coverage, real-time information and quality levels. These specifications will be aimed at ensuring interoperable travel data and services, where possible based on existing standards and technology.

This initiative is expected to contribute to EU-wide continuity and harmonised delivery of multimodal travel information services. This in turn is expected to encourage a positive modal shift to sustainable modes of transport and therefore improve the efficiency of Europe's transport network management.

It should be noted that the scope of these specifications does not include integrated multimodal ticketing; however this remains a long term vision of the European Commission.

What are multimodal travel information services?

Multimodal travel information and planning services (MMTIPs) allow travellers to plan their journey by comparing different travel options and combining different modes of transport.

MMTIPs may include a combination of two or more of the following transport modes which might be used by a traveller: air, rail, waterborne, coach, public transport, demand responsive transport, walking and cycling. Such services can allow the traveller to receive personalised routing results according to their specific travel preferences or needs including the fastest route, the cheapest route, the fewest connections, the most environmentally friendly, the most accessible for persons with reduced mobility etc. or simply a routing result based on the transport mode(s) they wish to use (i.e. cycling or public transport).

How is information delivered to the end users?

Multimodal travel information services can be delivered to users through a variety of channels. Whilst there remains a portion of users who prefer to access information through staffed-services such as telephone advice lines or walk-in travel centres, the majority of these services are now provided online via browsers and also mobile phone applications.

Information is provided by a range of organisation types including transport operators, transport authorities, public sector initiatives and private sector technology companies.

How to submit your contribution

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