Start of SIMBA!

Date: 31 March 2006

ERTICO will extend its activities further around the globe, thanks to the SIMBA project. Supported by EC DG Research, SIMBA officially got its two years of activities underway on 1 March.

SIMBA intends to increase road transport research cooperation between Europe and the emerging markets of China, India, Brazil and South Africa. Through the establishment of an international cooperation network, the project aims to increase road safety, mobility and transport efficiency using ITS, automotive technological development, and enhancements to road infrastructure. SIMBA will map the national and regional research activities, policies and future requirements.

SIMBA has already planned a variety of meetings and events on each of the four continents involved in the project. It will define specific priorities later this year at meetings in Brazil (October), India (November) and South Africa (December), along with the China workshop in May (see below). SIMBA’s national events will discuss solutions, future strategies for EU cooperation and involve both European and regional stakeholders in the three research areas (ITS, automotive and road infrastructure).

A dedicated SIMBA website – www.simbaproject.org - will be launched later this spring which will provide project information and results, meetings schedule and other relevant project information.

New approach to international cooperation
SIMBA differs from any international cooperation activities ERTICO has done in the past. First, it is larger than anything that ERTICO has previously undertaken in this area and includes new markets. SIMBA also extends past ITS and involves automotive and infrastructure research, and therefore teams up with organisations such as FEHRL and ACEA/EUCAR. It is also in line with the wishes of the ERTRAC group and their views about strengthening international road transport research. Although SIMBA revisits China, it goes beyond the last 10 years of cooperation activities and reaches a new level of interest.

ERTICO Director of External Affairs and Communications Jacob Bangsgaard is thrilled to be a part of this exciting new initiative, adding, "We know that we can learn a lot from others’ years of experience in the research field. Now is the time to pool our knowledge and expertise and create common new endeavours in the future."

SIMBA Workshop in Shanghai, China
SIMBA will start its busy schedule of activities in Shanghai, China on 25-26 May 2006 with its first Priority Workshop. The Workshop will cover city planning, ITS and the automotive industry – the first time all three of these issues have been addressed at such an event – in order to define priorities. High-level Chinese representatives have been invited to attend, as well as ACEA and FEHRL from Europe. In addition to the workshop presentations and discussions, the event will also feature a visit to the Shanghai Municipality Transport Information Centre. 

Representatives of industry, research institutes and public authorities are warmly encouraged to participate in the Shanghai event, as well as get internationally involved in SIMBA activities!

For more information, please contact SIMBA Project Coordinator Julia Wu