Routes de France, the European Union Road Federation (ERF) and the Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics (FNTP), in collaboration with the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) and the Confederation of International Contractors' Associations (CICA) initiated an international comparative study in March 2019. The study covers 20 countries* around the world and presents an overview of the impact of new mobility uses on road infrastructures and their equipment prior to the crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The benchmark study can be found here.

The main findings

- A disparate integration of new mobility in Europe

While Northern Europe seems more mature in the integration of new electric mobility, the situation is more balanced for autonomous and connected mobility. Some states (particularly the Scandinavian and Germanic countries, and the United Kingdom) stand out with open experimental legislation on autonomous vehicles, ambitious national strategies and plans, with the support of the automotive industry and start- ups.

Southern countries are more cautious about the use cases and levels of autonomy, with more restricted regulatory frameworks to deploy the potential of these mobility systems.

In the field of urban mobility, large cities and governments are focusing on soft mobilities, resulting in initiatives to redefine urban space. Generally speaking, the integration of new mobility so far involves mostly the adaptation of road facilities.

- A very different role for public authorities

In North America, private actors, particularly the GAFA (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple), play a key role. For example, they address users directly by proposing an integrated offer with new transport services. The federal structure of these countries also shows the weight of certain federated states as a driver or these new mobility services.

In Asia, the new forms of mobility are developing through a strong political will on the part of the public authorities, supported by a solid State structure and a strong interaction with national industry. This is particularly the case in China and South Korea.

At European Union level, it should be noted that partnerships have been set up between Member States and manufacturers, in order to develop and support a European industry in electric mobility.

- A heterogeneous approach to the place of road infrastructure in the development of new mobility

In Europe, the trend is to achieve a more balanced system between on-board connectivity equipment and external equipment, particularly in terms of autonomous vehicles’ safety. In the field of decarbonised mobility, the challenges of low emissions vehicles’ development are linked to the deployment of charging stations and terminals (in particular hydrogen-powered). While governmental or industrial choices are acting in favour of decarbonised mobility, road infrastructure, as such, is not yet considered an essential element in the development of electric mobility.