HeavyRoute User Requirements Workshop, 15 May 2007

Date: 06 April 2007

Vienna, Austria event on intelligent route guidance for heavy goods vehicles looks at stakeholders needs.

The EC supported, HeavyRoute project – in which ERTICO – ITS Europe is a participant - is organising a User Requirements Workshop on 15 May 2007 in Vienna, Austria. The workshop’s purpose is to ensure effective interaction of the various user groups in the project consortia.

Working with all major stakeholders, HeavyRoute was established to provide the tools, systems and data collection, as well as interpretation processes that will effectively link Europe’s road infrastructure via electronic mapping systems to truck operators and drivers. This will provide a major boost to the efficiency, profitability and safety of the haulage sector, while contributing to overall road safety and congestion and infrastructure asset management objectives.

A major part of HeavyRoute is to gather and analyse the user needs of all relevant user and stakeholder groups. At the 15 May workshop, the first results of a broad survey on truck drivers’ and logistics companies’ needs will be published. Specific expert requirements concerning the system and the validation of the quantitative survey in expert groups will be the main focus.

Mapping everyone's needs
The volume of freight transport on roads has grown steadily over the years and is expected to increase significantly over the next decade.  From the road operator point of view, this will lead to accelerated damage to bridges and pavement fatigue, as well as create major traffic management problems to maintain safety and reduce congestion. For truck operators, there are the combined challenges of reducing ever increasing fuel costs, maximising efficiency and profitability while maintaining safety. Finally, truck drivers will have the additional tasks of ensuring compliance with working hour regulations and finding appropriate, safe and secure overnight rest areas.

The use of mapping systems based on satellite guidance has increased dramatically and is providing major benefits to professional drivers.  However, there are still many stories of drivers finding themselves on inappropriate routes for their vehicles. Active and full participation by all stakeholders in the 15 May workshop is of high importance for the establishment of a heavy goods vehicle route guidance and navigation system that corresponds to real requirements and needs.

The workshop is free of charge, but you must confirm your participation before 16 April 2007.

For further information, please contact isabelle.lucchini@fehrl.org