An efficient connected ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Infrastructure is a prerequisite for the deployment of ITS services, providing the end user with relevant and high quality information from systems that monitor the road situation. A connected European ICT infrastructure will enable cross-border interoperability and continuity of services through the exchange of harmonised data.
The connected ICT Infrastructure consists of three dimensions: Systems for collection of data (monitoring systems), systems and protocols for communicating data (e.g. between TMC´s and to and from vehicles) and issues relating to the quality of data (accuracy, timeliness, …). For practical reasons we also include issues relating to transport system topology (e.g. road data bases) as part of the information infrastructure of the transport networks concerned. Systems for providing services to end users (signs etc.) are provided as part of the deployment activities 1 to 3.
The objective of this activity is to deploy monitoring infrastructure for the collation of data which is fit for purpose, and to enable traffic control centres to exchange data with the common aim of achieving an appropriate level of service throughout the TERN. Particular emphasis will be placed on congested, safety critical spots and critical weather sections of the network.
Although monitoring infrastructure development will not directly contribute to the policy goals, traffic management and traveller information services could not be established without access to information regarding the network situation provided by monitoring systems.
Regional studies and deployment projects will follow the plan developed in the EasyWay work programme. In addition, regional and national experts will collaborate under the EasyWay Monitoring Expert Group to ensure the continuous dissemination of experience and results from evaluation activities throughout the programme.
Projects/outcomes in this activity will focus on:

• Increasing data exchange between regional and national control centres (connection of all Swedish centres);
• Infilling gaps in the network of European Traffic Management Centres (new and updated centres in Hamburg, Bremen, Niedersachsen, Schelswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern);
• Identifying information needs for transport network information databases; (Improved road weather user interface in Nordic countries)
• Collecting the required data (deployment of travel time, traffic status, road weather and air quality monitoring throughout EasyWay);
• Providing the basis for co-ordinated action between different bodies active in traffic management, in response to events;
• Supporting traffic forecasting systems to take anticipatory actions (self-learning short-term forecasting models in Finland);
• Establishing a network for the exchange of traffic information, including design and implementation of the necessary information management tools in Traffic Management Centres; (Control room infrastructure/interconnection upgrade in Greece)
• The deployment of a DATEX network, following the results of the DATEX II European study (national roadmaps for Finland and Norway. continued deployment in Sweden, Bavaria, Italy, Portugal, Spain and France); and

The harmonisation of technical approaches (methodology of operation, state of the art, Software and Hardware). (Identification of best practices in data quality, workshop 2008)