The 14th Florence Intermodal Forum: Road Safety
The 14th Florence Intermodal Forum, which took place on 11 October 2024 at Villa Schifanoia in Florence, brought together key stakeholders to discuss road safety and the utilization of data generated by connected vehicles for the public good. The event was co-organized by the Florence School of Regulation’s Transport Area, the European Commission’s DG MOVE, and DG GROW, and centred around critical questions regarding how vehicle data can be harnessed to enhance road safety across Europe.
Gerhard Müller, the President of CITA, made a significant contribution to the discussion with his presentation, in which he introduced CITA’s work and underscored the pivotal role of data access for vehicle inspections. Müller emphasized that data is crucial for evaluating both safety and emissions behaviour in vehicles, which are critical to the development of safer and more environmentally responsible transport systems.
During the subsequent discussion, Müller expanded on key issues regarding data ownership, vehicle automation, and the need for coherent legislation across Europe. He clarified that, generally, drivers own the data generated by their vehicles, not the OEMs. This distinction is important as it reflects a need for clear frameworks to protect drivers’ rights while ensuring the responsible use of data in public safety initiatives.
One of Müller’s key messages was the call for at least EU-wide legislation to govern these developments, noting that national-level legislation would be insufficient. With vehicles crossing borders and new technologies rapidly evolving, a unified European approach is necessary to create consistent standards across the EU.
Müller also stressed the need to balance competitiveness with safety. He argued that the better the automated functions of vehicles are, and the safer European vehicles become, the more competitive they will be on the global market. By focusing on safety improvements, European vehicles can not only protect their users but also maintain a strong competitive edge.
Finally, Müller called for European legislation to become more flexible and quicker in its response to the fast pace of technological advancements in modern vehicles. The automotive industry is evolving rapidly, and legislation needs to keep up to ensure safety while fostering innovation.