Call: Full-scale demonstration of urban road transport automation

• Health, demographic change and wellbeing;
• Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bioeconomy;
• Secure, clean and efficient energy;
• Smart, green and integrated transport;
• Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials;
• Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;
• Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.

Within this programme Horizon 2020 will provide funding for a resource efficient transport that respects the environment, aims at a better mobility, less congestion, more safety and security, supports a global leadership for the European transport industry and targets a socio-economic and behavioural research and forward looking activities for policy making.

Fully automated road transport systems have the potential to revolutionise urban transport offering high quality public transport services which are not feasible with conventional public transport systems. Low speed full automation systems have been demonstrated in several European cities. However full-scale demonstrations are still necessary to prove the reliability, safety and robustness of fully automated road transport systems in complex scenarios in urban areas. In addition, it is necessary to address the remaining questions, such as user acceptance and legal framework and to develop business cases to make fully automated urban road transport systems economically viable.

At least three legal entities. Each of the three must be established in a different EU Member State or Horizon 2020 associated country. All three legal entities must be independent of each other. 

In line with the Union's strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation [COM(2012)497], international cooperation is encouraged. In particular, proposals should foresee twinning with entities participating in projects funded by US DOT [United States Department of Transportation] to exchange knowledge and experience and exploit synergies.

Active participation of SMEs is strongly encouraged.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between 10 to 15 million € each would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

EU Funding rate: 70% (except for non-profit legal entities, where a rate of 100% applies).

Electronic submission here.