Updated: Feb 1, 97

ANNEX I: OBJECTIVES AND SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL CONTENT

Paragraph I.1.C of Annex II to the framework programme forms an integral part of this specific programme.

On this basis and in the light of the above, there follows an analytical description of the contents of this specific programme.

Introduction

In pursuit of the objectives outlined in the technical Annex to the framework programme, special account will be taken of the needs for management and transmission of electronic information as a consequence of completion of the Single European Market. These needs will be identified in collaboration with users: public authorities, businesses tn manufacturing or service industries, academic institutions and individuals.

The activities will be pre-competitive and pre-normative and will concentrate on providing opportunities for interoperability between national systems, for defining standards, architectures and functional specifications. The activities will address such issues as user acceptance, security and privacy.

Pilot projects and demonstrators will be included when it can be shown there is a need to verify technology, to demonstrate interoperation standards and where there is broad interest to all Member States.

Close co-ordination will take place between these activities and those within lines l.a and l.b of the third framework programme as well as those outside the framework programme such as EUREKA projects.

AREA 1: SUPPORT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRANSEUROPEAN NETWORKS BETWEEN ADMlNlSTRATlONS

The objective of this area is to define common requirements for electronic information exchange and to examine the need for interoperability between electronic information networks within Member States: to carry out studies and pre-normative research for the definition and subsequent establishment of the transeuropean telematic services networks essential to national administrations for the completion of the single market, for the provision of the services necessary to the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital and for increasing economic and social cohesion in the Community

The priority subareas are those most closely linked to the completion of the internal market In the first instance, work may concern such areas as customs social services, emergency services and statistics. Several examples arc given below:

With the elimination of frontiers within the Community as a result of the completion of the internal market, it will no longer be possible to monitor goods in transit at national frontier posts. Monitoring of goods in transit will require information to be exchanged between the customs of the country in which the goods enter or leave Community territory and the country of destination or origin of the goods Consideration should therefore be given to whether, and how far, this will create a new need which new IT and telecommunications tools can help to satisfy.

Free movement of goods within the Community requires means of controlling their movements. Furthermore, the problems due to the incompatibility of existing national systems and to relations with non-Community countries, legal constraints and differing procedures and methods must be surmounted. Freedom of movement for persons cannot be achieved without a sustained, two-way flow of information between the various administrative establishments with responsibility for social services. Telecommunications interconnection between these administrations should help to provide social services for people. The setting-up of transeuropean telematic services could help to do this, by ensuring rapid and secure information exchange, guaranteeing the compatibility of operational procedures while respecting citizens' rights, and promoting international co-ordination.

The interconnection and interoperability of existing statistical tools the implementation of a European system of statistical information.

Identification of needs and implementation strategies

Selected areas closely linked to the completion of the single market will be examined in an exploratory action. This will comprise an assessment of the exchange of electronic information brought about by the completion of the single European market, an assessment of the needs of the users of this information t accommodate these changes and an assessment of the role of research and development in meeting these needs The results of this work will enable the relevant administrations of the Member States and the Commission, with the help of hardware and software producers, telecommunications operators, and possibly service providers to seek a consensus on the functional and technical specifications of the services required and strategies for setting up the transeuropean networks to provide these services.

The comparison of these descriptions with needs-should enable the work remaining to be done to be identified by mutual agreement: this may involve some or all of the following tasks: description of the information desired, precise description of the types of messages required (free text, statistical tables or highly structured administrative messages), their format, the functional specifications and standards to be used, adapted or developed as appropriate, and the protocols to be developed or converted.

Preference will be given, to systems which are designed to intercommunicate using key elements, particularly those which have been standardized at European or world level. The standards relating to database access, storage and access protocols, languages etc. will be identified and adapted where necessary. Arrangements must be made to ensure secure services.

Development of the technologies relating to telematic services and validation of common functional specifications

In order to take account of the complexity of these networks of services, the number of parties involved, the variety of information, real-time or batch processing, and capacity requirements, the architectures and the management of these transeuropean networks will have to be thoroughly studied and researched in order to achieve the performance and reliability required to satisfy the specific needs of each administration. These studies and research will have to be carried out jointly by users of specialized networks, manufacturers of information and communications equipment, telecommunications operators and possibly service providers.

The work will concentrate initially on interoperability, common standards architectures and functional specifications, user acceptability, data integrity and confidentiality As a result of this work, a common reference model should be developed for the implementation or the adaptation of the telematic systems which are proposed The results of the exploratory activities in a few subareas will be taken into account as work in this area is subsequently broadened.

This work will complement that conducted in the specific programmes on IT and communications.

To obtain the interoperability of computerized service networks, used by the administrations and end-users, it is important to verify common functional specifications. Special attention will be paid to the quality, reliability, security and ease of use of these services To this end, a limited number of pilot projects will be carried out where there is a need to verify functional specifications and technology, where there is a general interest to all Member States and where this is in keeping with rules on personal data protection.

Where appropriate these experimental development activities will be carried out in co-operation with the work carried out under the INSIS, CADDIA and TEDIS programmes and certain parts of the ESPRIT and RACE programmes.

AREA 2: TRANSPORT SERVICES

The activities aim to contribute to the development, in the field of transport, of integrated transeuropean services using advanced IT and communications to improve the performance (safety and efficiency) of passenger and goods transport services, and at the same time reduce the impact of transport on the environment (See under "road transport" ).

Account will have to be taken of the peculiarities and specific needs of the various parties involved, notably private and business users and administrations. Safety and ease of access for all users will be given special attention.

Road transport (DRIVE)

The objective is to contribute to development of a framework in which advanced IT and communications can be harnessed to improve the efficiency and safety of passenger and goods transport and reduce their impact on the environment. The work will build on the exploratory research in DRIVE under the second framework programme. There will be close liaison with relevant EUREKA projects.

Work in this area should cover the interface between road and rail transport as well as that between road and sea transport.

The work will concentrate on the needs of users, those concerned with safety provision and maintenance of infrastructure and provision of transport services.

The activities will be divided into three interactive parts: the definition of functional specifications in the context of a strategy for the use of technology and telematic systems for communication and traffic control, the development of new technologies and experimental systems and validation work.

Strategies for the use of technologies telematic services and systems contribution to the definition of common functional specifications

The results of the work carried out so far under the DRIVE and relevant EUREKA projects have enabled the needs specific to road transport and the technologies and systems available for communications and traffic control to be identified and evaluated. On the basis of these results. a strategy for using these technologies and systems will be sought in co-operation with transport users, business providers of transport-related services and the administrations concerned.

Systems engineering work will continue on an integrated transport environment addressing development and implementation strategies. It will help to draw up the functional specifications in terms of equipment, services and operating procedures, and to make recommendations to standard setting authorities such as CEN/CENELEC and ETSI for traffic control transport management driver support road safety.

Technologies and experimental development of systems

The work will take account of the technologies emerging within information and communications, the results of research carried out under DRIVE and in other activities both in the Community and Member States.

Technologies and experimental systems for managing transport and controlling road traffic will be developed and evaluated for both passenger and goods transport.

Safety and communications systems will concentrate on helping drivers on long journeys. The research will focus on on-board safety systems and equipment able to detect warnings and incidents and communicate with the new fixed Infrastructure equipment.

Research and technological development work specific to goods transport including dangerous goods transport. will also be undertaken. It will cover the software, hardware and telematic systems needed to improve goods traffic management. This work will concern real-time monitoring of the various forms related to transactions, the goods themselves and vehicles; management systems for all kinds of vehicle fleets will also be developed.

ln the field of public transport, work on monitoring and control will continue. to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of opportunities for on-line monitoring. scheduling, and control for users and providers of services and to establish the necessary functional specifications.

The technological solutions will have to ensure that the telecommunications equipment to be introduced is suited. in terms of size, cost and performance. to the intended specific uses and the needs identified.

Special attention will be given to existing and emerging systems namely those related with satellites and digital cellular communication networks. Of particular importance is the potential of new systems to provide incident detection and provide usable information to network managers and road users through effective road-vehicle communications.

Validation and pilot projects

In order for the new systems and devices to be accepted by both the general public and the relevant authorities. they must be of proven performance and reliability and their potential impact on the environment must be assessed. This will require full-scale pilot experimentation to establish whether technologies serve market needs, contribute significant gains in efficiency (with existing and new infrastructure) safety and environmental benefits are cost effective and provide satisfactory system security and interoperability. These will be oriented towards the integration of multiple subsystems, functions and services which requires strong pre-standardization efforts. The sector actors should be closely associated with the work.

These experiments will cover areas including integrated urban traffic control; monitoring of air pollution; integrated motorway traffic control; vehicle roadside communications; driver information; transport demand management; public transport; freight transport and trip planning.

Technologies and experimental systems for managing transport and controlling road traffic will be developed and evaluated for both passenger and goods transport.

Safety and communications systems will concentrate on helping drivers on long journeys. The research will focus on on-board safety systems and equipment able to detect warnings and incidents and communicate with the new fixed infrastructure equipment.

Research and technological development work specific to goods transport, including dangerous goods transport, will also be undertaken. It will cover the software, hardware and telematic systems needed to improve goods traffic management. This work will concern real-time monitoring of the various forms related to transactions, the goods themselves and vehicles; management systems for all kinds of vehicle fleets will also be developed.

In the field of public transport, work on monitoring and control will continue, to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of opportunities for on-line monitoring, scheduling and control for users and providers of services and to establish the necessary functional specification.

The technological solutions will have to ensure that the telecommunications equipment to be introduced is suited, in terms of size, cost and performance, to the intended specific uses and the needs identified.

Special attention will be given to existing and emerging systems namely those related with satellites and digital cellular communication networks. Of particular importance is the potential of new systems to provide incident detection and provide usable information to network managers and road users through effective road-vehicle communications.

Validation and pilot projects

In order for the new systems and devices to be accepted by both the general public and the relevant authorities, they must be of proven performance and reliability and their potential impact on the environment must be assessed. This will require full-scale pilot experimentation to establish whether technologies serve market needs, contribute significant gains in efficiency (with existing. and new infrastructure) safety and environmental benefits are cost effective and provide satisfactory system security and interoperability. These will be oriented towards the integration of multiple subsystems, functions and services which requires strong pre-standardization efforts. The sector actors should be closely associated with the work.

These experiments will cover areas including integrated urban traffic control; monitoring of air pollution; integrated motorway traffic control: vehicle roadside communications; driver information; transport demand management; public transport; freight transport and trip planning.

The need for rigorous evaluation should be a prime requirement in selection and design of pilot projects which may mean that pilot projects are established on an incremental basis. Projects should also evaluate technologies and systems of wide applicability.

AREA 3: HEALTH CARE (AIM)

The objective of this area is that of stimulating the development of harmonized applications of information and Communication technologies in health-care and the development of a European health-care information infrastructure taking into account the needs of users and technological opportunities.

The activities will depend on the needs of users and on the requirements of transnational exchange of electronic information. They will concentrate on interoperability of national systems, the establishment of standards, user acceptability, data integrity and confidentiality. The selection of activities will depend on strategic options within both the European health-care sector and European telematics sector.

Work in this area will be carried out along three main lines, making use of the exploratory work of the AIM programme (Advanced Informatics in Medicine) and in close co-operation with other Community programmes.

Strategies for the use of technologies, telematic systems and services and contribution to the definition of common functional specifications

The nature of research and technological development activities will depend to a large extent on user needs and the general constraints associated with the transnational nature of the information infrastructure required. This transnational aspect requires compliance with three principles: integration (notably the emergence of standards): modularity, to facilitate adaptation to different types of needs, and data security. The research and technological development activities will depend on the assessment of technological needs in the light of the main factors affecting the development of health-care. They will also depend on the strategic options for European telematic services in the sector Essential problems such as confidentiality and data protection will be given high priority.

Development of telematic technology applied to medicine

Activities are expected to fall into one or more of the following 10 domains:

- alphanumeric data and text coding standards:

- images and biosignals with coding standards:

- integrated medical instrumentation and devices

- knowledge based and decision support systems:

- medical use of multi-media workstations;

- health-care communication systems;

- telemedical systems and archiving systems;

- modularity and integration of medical and health information systems;

- regulatory tools and incentives (medical, legal, ethical, economic and social);

- technologies and services for the handicapped and elderly;

- inter-hospital telematics for increased security in distance care and improved management of staff and specialized equipment.

Validation and integration

Pilot applications will be set up to demonstrate and evaluate the innovative nature of using IT and communications in this area. Tests of the applicability of the research and development results and the interoperability of telemedicine services will be conducted.

AREA 4: FLEXIBLE AND DISTANCE LEARNING (DELTA)

On the basis of the exploratory work of the DELTA programme and in close co-operation with other Community activities such as COMETT and EUROTECNET, the work in this area will be carried out in three interdependent parts: drawing-up of implementation strategies, development of technologies and systems, and validation and integration of services.

Strategies for the use of technologies, telematic systems and services and contribution to the definition of common functional specifications

In the light of the interests of the various categories of users and taking account of the technological potentials, the various possible options to satisfy these needs will be identified. The measures needed to overcome the difficulties of implementing educational technologies will be determined.

Systems engineering work will be carried out: it will consist of identifying user needs and then reaching a consensus on specifications and functional standards which satisfy the needs of the various categories of users, producers of educational materials and providers of flexible and distance learning services.

The work will center on the development of production methods for multimedia educational materials which are portable and transferable between various systems with the prospect of transnational use, including remote assistance and help procedures for the various categories of users.

Development of systems and technologies

The work will relate to the technologies required to obtain a telematic service for local and distance learning which is flexible, effective, modular and interoperable.

It will be necessary to integrate and adapt the information and communications technologies, hardware configurations and protocols for educational and training applications and ensure compatibility and portability of the various systems developed for the potential users, whether they be students, authors, tutors, producers or simply people requesting information on education services.

Experiments on the validation and integration of services

The performance of the various possible services and technical configurations must be evaluated. Experiments in the real environment will allow testing of the value added by interconnecting the various systems using new technologies for education, information and user assistance. The experiments will establish the comparative advantages and the performance, in relation to their cost, of these various configurations of flexible distance learning systems for different categories of users.

AREA 5: LIBRARIES

The objective is to facilitate user access, by optimum use and development of equipment and telematic systems, to the wealth of knowledge held in libraries while reducing the handicaps caused by the present disparate infrastructures in the Community.

To this end, the work will have to help develop modern library services all over the Community by promoting faster, but orderly and cost-effective penetration of new technologies into libraries.

Initial Community activity in this area must be selective, concentrating on urgent problems which can catalyse change in a concrete and practical way. Applied research and development will therefore be used to support the development of appropriate tools, methods and resources which will be able to stimulate modernization of the operational infrastructure and services provided, and facilitate co-operation and resource sharing at national and European levels.

This activity will consist of setting up computerized bibliographies where these are lacking, and helping to improve computerized bibliographies or collective catalogues. Support will also be given to retrospective conversion of catalogues of important collections at international level, by developing the necessary tools and methods.

Projects will be set up to facilitate the international interconnection of the systems managing these basic data for particular functions (shared cataloguing, inter-library loans, etc.) and thus help to prepare and apply a range of international or European standards.

The provision of new library services using IT and Communications in small units will be stimulated. Initial support will be given to the creation of a range of innovative experimental services for library users, taking account of the different levels of development of library services in the Member States.

Finally, projects will be set up to encourage the development of a European market in telematic products and services specific to libraries. Interaction between libraries and IT industries will be stimulated by improving the definition of libraries' needs which new IT and communications can satisfy. Limited initial support will be given to experimental demonstrations of products (such as software) and services.

AREA 6: LINGUISTIC RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING

The aim of this area is to develop a a basic linguistic technology which can be incorporated into a large number of computer applications where natural language is an essential ingredient, with a view to accommodating or overcoming limitations and inefficiencies within the Community brought about by different natural languages. This requires the creation of linguistic resources (grammars, dictionaries, terminology collections and corpora of text) for the nine official.

Community languages, and the definition of standards for these data. A number of pilot applications and demonstration projects will be undertaken to show how the technology will be used and demonstrate the technical will economic feasibility of the solutions adopted.

The area is divided into three parts: research, development of resources and pilot applications. It is based on the results and experience drawn from EUROTRA and certain specific projects conducted under ESPRIT and national research programmes.

The research work will concentrate on the development of a common computer-based linguistic model for text representation in different languages and on the pursuit of automated techniques for reducing the number of possible interpretations of a given text. The development of advanced computational technologies will encourage the application, for linguistics, of progress made in the field of advanced expert systems, database technologies, speech processing and computer architectures. lt is also intended to create methods, tools and linguistic resources, especially portable software tools, grammars, dictionaries domain specific terminological collections, as well as large, high-quality corpora and the stimulation of standards work. Pilot applications and demonstration projects will help to test the progress of research work and to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of tools, methods and resources in an operational environment.

AREA 7: TELEMATICS SYSTEMS FOR RURAL AREAS

Half the European population still lives outside major cities and towns, and rural areas need comparable telematic service infrastructures to those in urban centres if they are to develop more balanced economic activities with a greater diversity of employment. The introduction of such services in rural areas will be a gradual process, the investments required will be large, and the infrastructures installed will have a lifetime of some decades. It is therefore essential that the right choices are made on technologies and system configurations. There is a need for pre-normative actions to harmonize the Community markets for equipment and services adapted to the needs of rural areas for development and stimulation of specialised services and for the impacts of telematics in rural areas to be consistently assessed.

Community action in this area will contribute to completion of the single market, to strengthening the socio-economic cohesion of Europe, to improvements in the quality of life in rural areas, to industrial innovation (in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises and to rural development. The actions will be part of a wider programme of actions strengthening rural development in the Community.

The goal is to create the conditions for geographically dispersed small businesses to provide more diverse employment opportunities and a more balanced economic activity in rural areas; to establish a basis for provision of improved.

services to dispersed and isolated populations, to raise the level of awareness of the potential of infor-mation and communication technologies in rural areas: to encourage manufacturers and service providers to make equipment and services easier to use by rural communities; and to ensure that applications of information and communication technologies in rural areas do not contribute to a further centralization of business and administrative activities and a loss of the cultural and economic diversity of rural areas in Europe.

The specific objectives are to develop a better understanding of the common needs and opportunities for telematic services and of the impacts of such services on rural life; to establish a common understanding of network configuration requirements and options and a common understanding of service requirements for telematic services, and to prepare the way for the harmonized planning and introduction of telematic service infrastructures in rural areas.

In order to achieve these objectives, the actions will involve consensus development with industry and rural development agencies; identification of needs and opportunities for telematics services and assessment of their impacts; specification of service and technology requirements; development of telematic systems, some pilot applications and research on infrastructure planning and implementation strategies.

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