CEF Support to the Coordination of ITS National Access Points

Objectives

• Building on and integrating the outcomes of the CEF Programme Support Actions NAPCORE and Data4PT project, the objective of this action is to further support the harmonized implementation of Delegated Regulations adopted under Directive EU. This action should support implementation of the requirements to make infrastructure, safety, traffic and travel data accurate and accessible to users (such as transport authorities or service providers) via the NAPs, i.e. all NAPs and associated data stemming from the implementation of Delegated Regulations (EU) including their possible revision during the lifetime of this action in the framework of the implementation of the working programme of the ITS Directive. This action should also support implementation of the requirements to make data available to users as mandated by the revised ITS Directive.
• Based on the work already achieved within the CEF programme support actions NAPCORE and Data4PT, this action is expected to further support the coordination and harmonization of a standardized NAP data distribution ecosystem throughout the EU, contributing to the creation of a digital twin of the physical transport infrastructure and its operations, providing for a data layer supporting transport services.

Scope

• The scope is the ITS Directive, and the Delegated Regulations relating to access to transport data, which have been adopted to define European specifications for priority actions of the ITS Directive:
  • the provision of EU-wide multimodal travel information services: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1926, amended by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/490;
  • the provision of EU-wide real-time traffic information services: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/962, repealed and replaced by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/670;
  • data and procedures for the provision, where possible, of road safety related minimum universal traffic information free of charge to users: Delegated Regulation (EU) No 886/2013;
  • the provision of information service for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles: Delegated Regulation (EU) No 885/2013.
• These Delegated Regulations mandate the setting up of NAPs and specify the access to related ITS data to data users to foster the development of ITS services re-using this data.
• Work on improving the NAPs coherence and functionality is essential for efficient implementation of both the ITS Directive and its Delegated Regulations and of Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 September 2023 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR).

Funding Information

• The available call budget is EUR 9,500,000. The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.
• Duration: Projects should normally be up to 31.12.2027.

Eligible Activities

• Activities to be supported under this action shall consist of technical and organisational activities to facilitate the development and deployment of the coordination mechanism to harmonize the NAPs under the ITS Directive:
  • Governance and strategy:
    • Project management:
      • Management of the action: establishment of a Steering Committee with all participating Member States at appropriate level (i.e. with representatives able to cover all aspects and all data types, including multimodal topics), establishment of an Advisory Board grouping relevant stakeholders, appointment of leaders and teams of experts for each work package, appointment of Ambassadors for horizontal or strategic topics (e.g. UVARs, MaaS, cycling, alternative fuels), annual work plans, annual activity reports, quality and risk management, organisation of internal communication and exchange (e.g. on best practices or national legislations related to the implementation of the Delegated Regulations), administrative and financial management, daily project management / secretariat, reporting to EC and liaison with CEF ITS deployment projects etc.
      • Regular coordination with the Commission services, the European ITS Committee and the European ITS Advisory Group, the Sustainable Transport Forum, Member States expert groups, other relevant CEF-funded ITS deployment projects and industry stakeholders.
      • Coordination of the participation of the NAPs in the common European mobility data space, e.g. regarding the participation in the interlinking layer.
      • Internal coordination and communication, including via the action of thematic ambassadors overseeing the work of different working groups on a specific topic.
    • Long-term governance of the coordination mechanism:
      • Establishment of a long-lasting sustainable governance structure that allows for a continuation of the project activities beyond its planned timeframe, and with the following objectives:
        • Strategic coordination between the NAPs and National Bodies/competent authorities.
        • Definition of strategic objectives at mid (5 years) and longer (10 years) terms, in particular setting goals on data quality and availability, accessibility, and harmonization of NAPs, while remaining compliant with EU legislation.
        • Promotion of NAPs and dissemination of information on their benefits and their best practices in the field of ITS.
        • Liaison with similar initiatives, in the transport and other sectors, in particular the common European (mobility) data space(s) and the European Alternative Fuels Observatory (EAFO).
  • Monitoring of accessibility of data on NAPs:
    • Support to Member States reporting obligations stemming from the ITS Directive and its Delegated Regulations.
  • Interoperability of NAP architectures:
    • Create a coherent operational deployment roadmap for NAP architecture (in accordance with the NAPCORE NAP reference architecture and Level of Service KPI frameworks) in order to enhance the convergence of compatibility and interoperability of the features (access, management, look & feel etc.), as well as the harmonization of the levels of service of the NAPs, as far as possible, taking account of the existing architecture of the NAPs in the Member States and building upon existing investments.
    • Continuous maintenance and update of the NAP reference architecture framework and periodical updates of the NAP Level of Service KPI framework, considering market developments and stakeholders needs. Monitoring of potential technical challenges, including data flow issues, compatibility between systems.
    • Carry out NAP Level of Service assessments to ensure monitoring and continuous development of NAP features and functionalities.
    • Where appropriate, develop specifications and/or support/implement sustainable EU-wide data access solutions for specific needs (e.g. crossborder data for rail and aviation, common European access point for alternative fuels data, urban vehicle access regulations etc.)
  • Data accessibility and data exchange:
    • Design, develop and maintain common tools, and organise and maintain the necessary communities to support data accessibility and exchange (definitions, standards, EU harmonized profiles, metadata, quality requirements, training etc.)
  • Data collection and creation:
    • Support data collection/creation (in line with the obligation of the revised ITS Directive) with training activities (e.g. in particular for urban nodes).
    • Where necessary and agreed with the Commission, maintain and develop data acquisition and validation tools (e.g. UVARbox tools), including by coordinating with the relevant communities.
    • Identification of needs for data collection and creation (note: data collection activities themselves will not be funded through this action).
  • Compliance assessment:
    • Coordination of national bodies/competent authorities for the:
      • Maintenance of compliance assessment and self-declaration forms (including possible changes stemming from the revisions of the Delegated Regulations).
      • Continuous improvement of harmonized approaches, strategies and processes for compliance assessment, with focus on the assessment of international organisations, including the definition and organisation of possible approaches for compliance assessment and enforcement at multi-country or EU level.
      • Communication with international stakeholders for multiple/all national bodies/competent authorities.
  • Creation of unique EU identifiers for access nodes:
    • Map existing frameworks in place to identify access nodes (for scheduled modes and transport on demand where relevant) in the different Member States. This includes the consultation of relevant stakeholders, in particular those already operating related national databases of identifiers or journey planners.
    • Report and assess the efficiency of the governance frameworks that maintain identifiers in the different modes.
    • Explore how to further harmonize identifiers and/or develop unique Union identifiers for access nodes.
  • Dissemination and outreach activities:
    • User support and training, knowledge dissemination (helpdesk, user forum, website, guidelines, webinars, workshops etc.) and promotion, including the organisation of own events such as the NAPCORE Mobility Data Days.
    • Information and promotion of results, benefits and best practices on the activities of this action across ITS fora and congresses, stakeholder events and conferences, Member States, stakeholders/users, standardization communities, web sites and any relevant communication mean. Participation in events outside the EU shall be subject to prior validation from the Commission.

Expected Outcomes

• The following impacts are expected:
  • enable the interoperable exchange of travel and traffic data in accordance with the requirements outlined in ITS Directive and its Delegated Regulations and other relevant EU legislation,
  • stimulate and accelerate the coordinated provision of road, traffic, and transport data to enhance the quality of services based on these data,
  • reflect the continuous development of ITS services, and include user-oriented activities to ensure support, training, outreach and promotion,
  • enhance multi-stakeholder cooperation and partnerships amongst public authorities and ITS information service providers.
• It is expected to accompany and facilitate the Member State’s implementation of Delegated Regulations under Directive 2010/40/EU and of the Directive itself, and efficiently contribute to the harmonized development and evolution of NAPs in the long term.

Eligibility Criteria

• Only those proposals submitted by one of the following types of applicants are eligible:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)).
  • countries associated to the CEF Programme.
  • where necessary in order to achieve the objectives of this action, and where their participation is duly justified, third countries and entities established in third countries may participate in a proposal under the approval of a Member State and without funding.
  • international organisations, joint undertakings, non-profit associations, public and private undertakings, with the agreement of the Member States concerned:
    • private undertakings providing services re-using data made available through the National Access Points can participate in proposals but cannot request any funding.
• Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register before submitting the proposal and will have to be validated by the Central Validation Service (REA Validation).

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applicants which are subject to an EU exclusion decision or in one of the following exclusion situations that bar them from receiving EU funding cannot participate:
  • bankruptcy, winding up, affairs administered by the courts, arrangement with creditors, suspended business activities or other similar procedures (including procedures for persons with unlimited liability for the applicant’s debts)
  • in breach of social security or tax obligations (including if done by persons with unlimited liability for the applicant’s debts)
  • guilty of grave professional misconduct (including if done by persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control, beneficial owners or persons who are essential for the award/implementation of the grant)
  • committed fraud, corruption, links to a criminal organisation, money laundering, terrorism-related crimes (including terrorism financing), child labour or human trafficking (including if done by persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control, beneficial owners or persons who are essential for the award/implementation of the grant)
  • shown significant deficiencies in complying with main obligations under an EU procurement contract, grant agreement, prize, expert contract, or similar (including if done by persons having powers of representation, decision making or control, beneficial owners or persons who are essential for the award/implementation of the grant)
  • guilty of irregularities within the meaning of Article 1(2) of EU Regulation 2988/95 (including if done by persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control, beneficial owners or persons who are essential for the award/implementation of the grant) created under a different jurisdiction with the intent to circumvent fiscal, social or other legal obligations in the country of origin or created another entity with this purpose (including if done by persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control, beneficial owners or persons who are essential for the award/implementation of the grant).
• Applicants will also be rejected if it turns out that:
  • during the award procedure they misrepresented information required as a condition for participating or failed to supply that information
  • they were previously involved in the preparation of the call and this entails a distortion of competition that cannot be remedied otherwise (conflict of interest).

For more information, visit European Commission.