C-Roads: Europe’s harmonisation platform for C-ITS
The C-Roads platform is a joint initiative of EU Member States and road operators to align testing and deployment of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) services. Its goal is to ensure interoperable, harmonised C-ITS services across Europe and support their integration into everyday road operations.
C-ITS are a key building block of the future transport system, enabling real-time communication between vehicles, infrastructure and traffic operators. Through this data exchange, drivers and vehicles can anticipate hazards, congestion and changing road conditions, improving both safety and traffic flow.
As part of Rijkswaterstaat’s Smart Mobility program, Rijkswaterstaat works on the C4Safety project. This project uses the EU-wide aligned messages from C-Roads to improve the safety of road inspectors and road workers, while also enhancing safety for all road users. The internationally aligned messages are also in use for warnings about approaching emergency services and for intelligent traffic lights, developed within the Dutch Talking Traffic program.
Participation in the C-Roads platform and compliance with its specifications are essential to ensure that these messages are understood and used consistently by service providers and vehicle manufacturers across Europe.
EU-wide harmonisation of C-ITS services
C-ITS is part of the broader ITS landscape. It includes technologies that enable wireless data exchange between transport actors, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. To guarantee interoperability at the European level, the C-Roads platform develops and aligns technical specifications across all participating countries. The platform brings together 62 participants from 20 EU Member States. It enables coordinated implementation, testing and validation of C-ITS services throughout Europe.
Building safer and smarter roads in Europe
The C-Roads platform drives innovation by delivering specifications, guidance and practical tools for hybrid C-ITS implementations. Through regular releases, detailed documentation and interactive webinars, it enables stakeholders to deploy interoperable C-ITS solutions with confidence.
The platform’s long-term strategy for sustainable deployment paves the way for smarter and safer roads. It does so not only by enabling timely hazard warnings for drivers, but also by supporting direct interaction with vehicle management systems. In the future, high-quality C-ITS messages will enable real-time interventions in vehicle systems, helping prevent accidents in critical situations where reaction time is limited. These capabilities will also support the safe operation of automated vehicles.
Project period
September 2024 - August 2027
European programme
Project website
Partners
62 partners from Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary and Romania. Associated partners are from Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, Israel, Turkey, Serbia and Switzerland.
