Networking for Field Operational Tests
A Field Operational Test (FOT) consists of a comprehensive programme of research to assess the impact of ICT systems on driver behaviour, both in terms of individual (safety) benefits and larger scale socio-economic benefits. During the lifetime of the different Field Operational Tests (FOT) carried out both at the National and European level, there is a crucial need for a platform of knowledge exchange in order to let individual FOT’s benefit from each others’ learning experiences. The FOT-Net project is addressing this need.
Objectives
FOT-Net has been in place for almost three years as the networking platform for stakeholders involved or interested in FOTs. The European Commission has confirmed funding for another 3 years. While the focus so far was mainly on building up the FOT network and promoting the FESTA methodology, the next phase will explicitly address issues raised by the FOT network which need common European positions.
FOT-Net aims to further develop the strategic networking of national, European and global FOTs. Throughout the next three years, the FOT Network will meet in six bi-annual FOT stakeholders meetings and three international FOT meetings.
The FESTA methodology will be further refined, based on recent FOT experiences. Through three targeted meetings, FOT-Net will gather the relevant experts to revise and adapt the FESTA methodology for FOTs on ADAS, nomadic devices, cooperative systems, and naturalistic driving. In addition, FOT-Net will create five new expert working groups to clarify critical topics related to legal and ethical issues, data analysis, incident definition, impact assessment, and data sharing. The revised FESTA methodology will be promoted through six seminars. A new web-based inventory will be created of existing tools for data acquisition, database structure, and data analysis, to facilitate the set-up of new FOTs.
Of course FOT-Net will continue to act as a multiplier, raising awareness for, and promoting FOT activities, especially in terms of inter-activities support and outreach. Finally, FOT-Net will evaluate contributions of FOTs to policy goals and market deployment, using an improved methodology for stakeholders’ analysis.
Duration and Funding
January 2011 – December 2013.
Funding through the EC Directorate General Information Society & Media, 7th Framework Programme.
Members
Coordinator: ERTICO – ITS Europe
Partners: Rijkswaterstaat, TNO, University of Leeds, Polis, FIA, SAFER (Chalmers University of Technology), Volvo Cars, CTAG, IKA (RWTH Aachen University), FOKUS (Fraunhofer Institute), CRF, Renault, ASFA
Associated Partners: Center for Traffic Sciences (IZVW) at the University of Wuerzburg, Connekt/ITS Netherlands, Continental, DLR, Ford on behalf of euroFOT, Honda, Iridium on behalf of FOTsis, ITS Bretagne, ITS Israel, Loughborough University, Network of National ITS Nationals, Nissan, Orange, SWOV on behalf of PROLOGUE, Transport for Canada, UMTRI, VTT on behalf of TeleFOT
