Cyber security and data privacy are two of the main risks that need to be addressed to safely capture the benefits of connected cars. Experts from the automotive and telecom sectors as well as regulators explored the policy options to address these risks at the UNECE/ITU symposium on the Future Networked Car, held at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March.
The symposium examined advances in the area of connected vehicles, from the perspectives of policy, business, technology and regulation. It also explored the new technologies, such as 5G, that will enable networked transport systems to deliver improved traffic management, enhanced environmental performance and reduced energy consumption while significantly reinforcing safety on the roads. The symposium also discussed how standards bodies can best collaborate to meet industry needs and achieve interoperability.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, highlighted the many benefits expected from new technologies, stressing that Electronic Stability Control alone, had prevented 260,000 traffic accidents and saved 8,500 lives in Europe.
Eva Molnar, Director of UNECE’s Transport Division, stated that Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) have the capacity to become the integrator connecting the various mobility modes. ITS could reduce mobility costs, increase the resilience of transport networks and boost trade and tourism, if properly supported by public authorities at national, local and international level. But for this to materialize, regulations and policies will need to adjust in order to create a proper enabling environment.
The symposium, now in its 11th edition, contributes to building bridges between the telecom and automotive sectors, which are essential for the development of the technical common ground needed for the deployment of networked vehicles.