Q-Free Norge AS
QFR
Q-Free is a leading global supplier of products and solutions within the global Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) market.
ID: 172433422903-50
Lobbying Activity
Response to Initiative on EU taxonomy - environmental objective
3 May 2023
Suggestion to include ITS road side technology in manufacture of low carbon technologies for transport ITS products and services have relevant contribution to two of the qualifying criteria: (ii) the transition to a circular economy, and (iii) pollution prevention and control. Transportation is identified as a major source of pollution. In line with the third criteria of the Act, pollution prevention and control, Q-Free suggests that ITS technology solutions that can contribute to lowering emissions. Tolling is one use of ITS technology that has been shown as an efficient way of affecting traffic behavior and emissions. Tolling can be used to differentiate road taxation to promote vehicles with lower emission profiles such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Electric vehicles are instrumental to decarbonize transportation and incentives both in terms of lower costs of using BEVs and FCEVs as well as the political push to promote greener transportation option are effective towards increasing the adoption of lower emission vehicles. Beyond the emissions of single vehicles, controlling traffic flow also affects local emissions. Q-Free proposes that ITS tools including tolling applications and geofencing are well-suited to promoting more sustainable mobility patterns and reducing local emissions.
Read full responseResponse to Initiative on EU taxonomy - environmental objective
3 May 2023
The Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act specifies the technical screening criteria under which certain economic activities qualify as contributing substantially to: (i) the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources; (ii) the transition to a circular economy; (iii) pollution prevention and control; or (iv) the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. prioritizes the economic activities and sectors that were identified as having the biggest potential to make a substantial contribution to one or more of the four environmental objectives and for which it was possible to develop or refine the recommended criteria without further delay. The Commission is also proposing targeted amendments to the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and to the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act. Q-Free welcomes the possibility to give feedback on the initiative for a new set of EU taxonomy criteria for economic activities that contribute substantially to environmental objectives. Q-Free operates within the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) domain and supports the need to promote products and services that contribute to the intentions of the Environmental Delegated Act. ITS products and services have relevant contributions to the aforementioned qualifying criteria: (ii) the transition to a circular economy, and (iii) pollution prevention and control. Transportation is identified as a major source of pollution. In line with the third criteria of the Act, pollution prevention and control, Q-Free suggests that ITS technology solutions that can contribute to lowering emissions. Tolling is one use of ITS technology that has been shown as an efficient way of affecting traffic behavior and emissions. Tolling can be used to differentiate road taxation to promote vehicles with lower emission profiles such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Electric vehicles are instrumental to decarbonize transportation and incentives both in terms of lower costs of using BEVs and FCEVs as well as the political push to promote greener transportation option are effective towards increasing the adoption of lower emission vehicles. Beyond the emissions of single vehicles, controlling traffic flow also affects local emissions. Q-Free proposes that ITS tools including tolling applications and geofencing are well-suited to promoting more sustainable mobility patterns and reducing local emissions. ITS services, with tolling being the most widely used service, also is used to monitor traffic volumes, and can provide insight into volumes on road stretches as well as the proportion of different classes of vehicles in terms of both size and propulsion. Q-Free therefore suggests that ITS technologies such as tolling is included in the IT/OT activities described in the taxonomy. Tolling can monitor roads to aid traffic planning and maintenance prediction. In addition, tolling can be used to improve the understanding of how to push financial incentives to promote low emission transportation and measuring such changes. In summary, Q-Free suggests including ITS technology and roadside equipment in activities that can significantly contribute to pollution prevention and control and the transition to a circular economy.
Read full response19 Jan 2022
The Weights & Dimensions Directive regulates trucks and coaches to protect motorists from heavy accidents; roads, bridges and tunnels from excessive wear and road operators from undue competition. Hence the enforcement of the Weights & Dimensions Directive 95/53/EC is key to making EU transport policy happen and keeping Europe’s roads safe and competition fair.
The Directive foresees automated enforcement and to make this enforcement happen foresees a radio interface for enforcement authorities to remotely communicate with the vehicle to pre-check vehicle weight. This communication uses standardised CEN DSRC technology, which runs on the 5.8 GHz frequency band. This radio interface has very similar technical properties to the radio interface used for enforcing the smart tachograph, that protects motorists from sleeping truck drivers and the drive and rest times of truck drivers.
The Directive also foresees a radio link between the truck and the trailer, to make sure any trailer can communicate with any truck. This link uses ITS-G5, as C-ITS technology, that runs on the 5.9 GHz frequency band.
With ever increasing amount of radio equipment foreseen for deployment in the vicinity of roads or in vehicles the risk of radio interference rises. Radio interference to the radio interface of mandatory on-board weighing equipment or the smart tachograph puts motorists and truck drivers at risk, reduces the quality of Europe’s road network and encourages undue competition.
The risk of radio interference can be reduced and mitigation methods introduced, if frequency regulation checks risks before equipment is released to the market. Radio interference is next to impossible to combat once equipment is in the market and on roads. This risk is reduced through compatibility studies before equipment is released into the market, such ECC Report 291 in case of the smart tachograph and weights & dimensions and cooperative ITS.
We urge the European Commission to recognise radio interference risks and keep up the good practice of requesting compatibility studies from radio regulators for radio equipment to be deployed along Europe’s roads or in vehicles.
We point to the attached document ‘Protection of truck drivers and CEN DSRC’ to highlight potential future risks and how mitigate such risks.
Read full responseResponse to Specifications for the provision of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS)
29 Jan 2019
Q-Free, a Norwegian technology company, fully supports the Delegated Act on C-ITS. Its publication ensures that deployments of C-ITS services are harmonized throughout Europe and gives certainty for investment into C-ITS for early adopters. Communication based on ITS-G5 enables rollout of C-ITS based on proven technology leveraging lessons learned from trials, pilots, and research projects.
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