The European Union, through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program, financed by the European Commission, is investing around 2.8 billion euros in 94 new transport projects across the continent. The key goal of the project is to improve connections between European cities and regions, with the aim to develop more efficient, safer and more environmentally friendly transport system.
Among others, the goal of CEF is to support investments in the construction of new transport infrastructure in Europe or the rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing infrastructure. The CEF is expected to be a key EU financing instrument promoting growth, employment and competitiveness through targeted investments in infrastructure at the European level. It supports the development of highly efficient, sustainable and interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services. CEF investments are expected to fill the missing links in the European energy, transport and digital platform.
From the total amount, even 77% of the funds is invested in the modernization of the railway subsystem. Member States are planning to introduce an advanced European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
In the field of road traffic, the focus is on the so-called cooperative intelligent transportation systems (C-ITS), which connect vehicles and traffic infrastructure and enable better traffic management in real time, especially in cities. Such systems help to avoid congestion and accidents.
