Page - (000169) - in Autonomes Fahren - Technische, rechtliche und gesellschaftliche Aspekte

1578.3 Visions of autonomous driving in Europe impact on the environment and key natural assets like water, land and ecosystems” [18]. The document preparing the transport-technology strategy repeatedly stresses the EU’s vision to strengthen competitiveness by decarbonizing the transport system and according- ly calls for research in green technologies, material substitutions, and ICT in order to optimize intermodal and public transport and thereby enhance efficiency [19]. The CARS 2020 action plan also establishes a strong link between competitiveness and clean and green vehicles [20]. 8.3.1.3 Harmonization and coordination Realizing a single European market is at the heart of all European strategic documents related to transportation. This is a factor in the strong push for greater harmonization and coordination of national policies. The transport roadmap highlights the importance the EU Commission attaches to harmonization; here it is argued that “a situation where (for example) one Member State opted exclusively for electric cars and another only for biofuels would destroy the concept of free travel across Europe.” It also illustrates that the EU Commission aims at influencing technology development. Also in the CARS 2020 action plan the fragmentation of vehicle regulation among EU Member States is considered problematic. The European Commission has called for more co-ordination and standardization [20]. In the CARS 21 process, Europe’s role in standard- ization has been highlighted. European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes “under- lined the business opportunities created by making vehicles digital and connected, which requires public support for funding and standardization” [4]. CARS 2020 mentions the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) with reference to the automatic emer- gency call system, eCall as a particular organizational challenge, which demands strong coordination [20]. 8.3.1.4 Safety The “vision zero” which refers to the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries by 2050 is a key selling point for the industry. Safety is also addressed in the transport road- map, although it receives considerably less attention compared to other issues, such as competitiveness, sustainability, resource-efficiency, or innovation. The “vision zero” is mentioned as the ninth of ten goals of the transport roadmap. In line with this goal, the EU aims at halving road casualties by 2020. The EU is to be a world leader in safety and security of transport in all modes of transport [18]. Annex I spells out how to approach that goal and mentions – besides training and education – technological solutions such as “driver assistance systems, (smart) speed limiters, seat-belt reminders, eCall, cooperative systems and vehicle-infrastructure interfaces.” These can be seen as steps towards a general increase in automation and employment of information and com- munication technologies. While the Directive on Intelligent Transport Systems puts comparatively high priority on an increase in safety through the application of information and communication tech- nology, it does not explicitly speak of autonomous driving [24].