EU-India Workshop shining example of international cooperation

Date: 09 March 2006

The EC-supported, ERTICO-coordinated EU-India project held its first workshop 2-3 March 2006 in Delhi, India. The event was attended by almost 20 ITS stakeholders from the EU and 40 from India representing public authorities, research institutes and industry. The workshop discussed common interests relevant to both regions regarding EU-India eSafety cooperation and the use of ITS in India to improve road safety.

On the first day of the event, the European delegation took the opportunity to conduct some site visits to the Central Road Research Institute, Delhi Traffic Police, TIFAC (Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council) and NATRIP (National Automobile Testing and R&D Infrastructure Projects). Meetings with these institutes provided an insight into some of the key transport problems in India and current priority areas that could lead to joint cooperation activities. 

A strong European presence – solidified by the attendance of ERTICO Partners Efkon, Kapsch, Tele Atlas, Thetis, and DLR – lent its expertise at the workshop on the second day. Representatives of the EC delegation in India, including EC Ambassador to India Francisco Da Camara Gomes and Andrew Sors, Minister Counsellor Head of Science and Technology Section, were also in attendance. Mr Da Camara Gomes gave an opening speech in which he noted that the EU-India eSafety Cooperation was a positive initiative which would benefit both regions. Indian participants included members of the local Delhi government and representatives from Indian industry.

Cooperation just the beginning
ERTICO CEO Arnold van Zyl gave a keynote address welcoming participants and stating the EU-India project was only the start of what ERTICO hopes to be a long-term partnership between EU and Indian ITS stakeholders. Mr van Zyl noted, “for ERTICO, this new cooperation with India is an important step as there are endless opportunities, which exist for the European industry and research sector to exchange know-how and experience with Indian counterparts. EU-India events will help determine these possibilities for collaboration.” Mr van Zyl’s remarks were followed by a presentation on the eSafety initiative and the EU-India project by Jacob Bangsgaard, ERTICO Director of External Affairs and Communications.

The workshop also looked at the possibility for EU-India collaboration on ITS for transport planning and management, including large events as the Commonwealth Games that Delhi is scheduled to host in 2010. The European participants offered beneficial insight from their own experiences in these areas.

As a result of this activity, both the European and Indian interests have paved the way for collaborative efforts and are now establishing a framework for carrying them out. With both regions already present in each others’ markets, the common interest for cooperation is now being taken to a higher level. Large numbers of road fatalities are unfortunately not just a European problem – with over 80,000 road deaths annually in India, authorities are aiming to follow the European example and utilise ITS to help save lives.

June conference
The EU-India project now looks ahead to two other important events over the next 12 months. The first is an EU-India Conference in Brussels on 1-2 June 2006. Key stakeholders from India will make the trip to present Indian ITS priorities and progress collaboration with their European counterparts. The Conference will also feature break-out sessions on implementation issues. (See EU-India website for more details). The project’s final activity will be a conference in New Delhi in February 2007, which is slated to include demonstrations and exhibitions of key ITS applications. Organisations interested in joining future events are most welcome to participate.

For more information, please contact ERTICO India Project Coordinator Priti Prajapati

Find out more about the EU-India project, its meetings and events – including presentations and meeting pictures from the 2-3 March workshop - visit the EU-India website.

Speakers at the EU-India Workshop included EC Ambassador to India Francisco Da Camara Gomes (far right) who provided the event's welcome address	ERTICO CEO Arnold van Zyl (far right) highlighted the endless opportunities the EU-India project is fostering