IST specific research topics
Compilation of Quads input (8 June 1998)

KEY ACTION 1 - SYSTEMS AND SERVICES FOR THE CITIZEN

1. Personal Health Support Systems and Services for Citizens
2. Empowering Health Professionals with Advance Applications and Systems
3. New Generation Telemedicine Systems and Services
4. Healthcare Information Networks and Services for Continuity of Care
5. Support for Future Health Delivery Systems (Health Managers)
6. Design for All
7. IST tools, systems and support for independent living
8. Adaptive or assistive technology devices for people with disabilities
9. Adapting Public Administrations to the Information Society
10. Access to Public Administrations for all Citizens
11. On-line Support for the Democratic Process
12. Environmental Management and Information Systems and Services
13. Risk and Crisis Management System
14. IST Technologies for Environment and Sustainable development
15. IST Systems for Intelligent Transport Infrastructure
16. IST Systems for Intelligent Vehicles
17. IST Technologies for Operators and Managers
18. IS Traveller (information, communication and mobility) services
19. Integrated Systems for Tourism
ANNEX to Key Action 1

Status of Document

V3.0 has been produced on 8 June after comments from the Overijse meeting.

V2.0 of this document is produced for the meeting of 3rd Jun 98. A rationale has been added. Comments on version 1.0 have been included.

V1.0 of this document was distributed as an indication of status and progress.

Scope

The Specific Programme defines a Key Action on "Systems and Services for the Citizens". Application domain objectives are defined in areas of common interest, bringing the Information Society into daily life. Policy documents (footnote) identify the need to reduce gaps between industrialised and less developed areas, young and old, those who have access to technologies and those who do not. In addition to its technological aims, this Key Action will contribute to the public policies of the Information Society, tilting the balance towards a more inclusive society in which commonly needed services have increased availability, are more accessible and affordable. The domains selected for action are :

It is to be expected that the Information Society is one in which all citizens, including those with special needs, have affordable access to the information services underpinning healthcare and democracy, are informed about environmental choices and have the mobility needed for business and leisure.

This Workprogramme translates these domain objectives into RTD Action lines.

Continuity versus Innovation

The Workprogramme strikes a balance between providing support for the continuation of the most successful research lines of the previous Framework Programme and taking radically new directions.

In the Health domain, continuity is represented by further work supporting Health professionals and improving their information and communication infrastructure. But in a new approach, it is also recognised that in the Information Society the Citizens will have the possibility and responsibility to inform themselves about Health issues. New Action Lines are provided for the support of the Citizen.

Previous work aimed at groups with special needs successfully began to address the problem of developing assistive technology and devices, particularly for the elderly and disabled. In FP5, building on an increased awareness of the need to design IS products to include all groups in society, this part of the Workprogramme highlights the opportunity to bring mainstream supply industry into this domain.

In the previous FP, the Administrations RTD actions focussed on European level needs for secure information interchange and support for public access to information. While this approach is continued and extended to administrations in general, the major innovation will be brought to those administrations most affected by the enlargement of the Union. In addition to the direct benefits to be experienced by those organisations, this will constitute a major support for Community policy.

The exploratory action addressing the application of telematics to the Environment has been expanded to deal more comprehensively with the problems of data exchange and systems architecture. New work will also address the problems of applying IST needed for decision-support and risk-management.

Previous work in the Transport domain is continued to provide support to the competitive position of systems suppliers to the automotive, aviation, shipping and rail industries. As market acceptance of current technologies increases demand for more advanced systems, so longer term RTD is positioned to deliver new applications. The new domain of Tourism, an increasingly information-based business, will be integrated to provide strategic advantage through the restructuring of the value chain.

Type of Work

The RTD identified in the Workprogramme calls for the development of components, devices, appliances, software, systems and services to achieve the identified objectives. Some actions are focussed on short term benefits while others call for a long term commitment. Resources are likely to be needed in industry, research institutions, system integrators, operators and users.

The Specific Programme emphasises the creation of user-friendly, dependable, cost-effective and interoperable general-interest services, meeting user demands. The needs and expectations of users are a main consideration, particularly the usability and acceptability of new services.

In accordance with this appproach, Action Lines are User oriented and are proposed on the basis of user groups to benefit from them.

Health

1. Personal Health Support Systems and Services for Citizens

Monitorable RTD Objective(s):

Development and validation of technologies for personal health status monitoring and of support systems to enable the citizens to take more active role during prevention, care and rehabilitation. These include advanced information and monitoring systems and services for promotion of wellness and maintenance of health, for example, information for facilitating the implementation of appropriate lifestyles relevant to prevention of diseases, information and education on the problems or symptoms encountered, support systems for timely and cost-effective referral to professional medical services, for supervision of treatment, for support to self-medication, self-tests and systems for social support. Increased awareness of public health issues and degree of user acceptance of the information systems will be important monitorable factors. The impact of these actions on health indicators and risk factors can be assessed. The systems are intended to monitor or support the health status at home, work, sport and other leisure places, etc, and should allow secure communication of confidential personal health data or records with healthcare professionals. Improved affordability and access should demonstrate measurable improvement.

Main Type of Action: R&D projects, Support actions

Specific Evaluation Criteria:

Justification: Support of EU policy on health promotion, empowerment of citizens role in care process, interoperability of health information and support systems

Key technologies and systems: High performance signal processing; non-invasive bio-signal monitoring devices; personal health records; web technologies; network computers; broadcasting systems; interactive TV; virtual environments; advanced human-computer interaction systems, authentication and encryption systems for secure transactions of personal health data; technologies enabling integration of medical databases and one stop shop concept for retrieval of health related information; 

2. Empowering Health Professionals with Advance Applications and Systems

Monitorable RTD Objectives: Develop and demonstrate advance systems for non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring, for clinical research and dissemination of results, for literature review, for quality assurance, , research and education of health professionals. Systems that integrate new generation devices based on micro- and nano-technology with clinical information systems and healthcare records systems. Also, develop and demonstrate virtual reality based tools for diagnosis and education, systems for advance medical imaging and pattern recognition, systems for evaluation of biomarkers, and portable and mobile systems for accessing health data. Special emphasis will be given to new methods and technologies that ensure integration of existing and new information systems and improve accessibility and high-quality of interaction for all groups of health professionals. Widespread acceptance of best practice results will provide statistically verifiable improvements in targeted areas of public health. The degree of user acceptance among health professionals will be an important factor.

Main type of action: Shared cost RTD actions;

Evaluation criteria:

Justification: Development of European know-how towards enhancement of quality and efficiency of care, creation and promotion of European-wide medical knowledge infrastructure. For instance, it has been demonstrated that life expectancy is doubled in breast cancer disease by networking and dissemination of the best practice among the HC professionals. Competitiveness of medical systems industry

Key technologies and systems: tele-cooperative environment for support to teleconsultation and telesurgery; artificial intelligence systems and computer vision; high-speed and high-resolution video communication; advanced multimedia medical workstations; robotics and micro-technologies; pattern recognition and lossless compression systems for archiving, navigation and retrieval of multimedia medical data; high resolution display systems and 6D+ visualisation techniques; technologies enabling integration of medical databases and one stop shop concept for retrieval of health related information, medical portable devices and mobile services; professional interoperable cards; management of large multimedia clinical databases and secure communication systems for multimedia health records; 

3. New Generation Telemedicine Systems and Services

Monitorable RTD objectives: Applications for removing physical, geographical or time limitations from the delivery and continuity of care. Teleconsultation and telediagnosis systems for delivering healthcare across borders and multilingual emergency surveillance system. Advanced telemedicine systems, using e.g. novel human-machine interfaces for personal health maintenance and home care. Telemedicine systems exploiting new generation telecommunications infrastructures such as satellites.

The geographical and linguistic coverage of the action will be important for its success.

Main type of action: Shared cost RTD actions; Support measures

Evaluation criteria:

Justification:

Interoperability of telemedicine applications with systems supporting continuity of care and across national borders

Development of a technological and industrial base for intelligent telemedicine appliances and devices

Key technologies and systems: Communication protocols for interchange of medical data, remote therapy and controlled delivery of drugs; tele-robotics; Augmented reality systems integrating virtual presence; sophisticated medical data handling and DSS-based therapy scenarios. Purpose oriented human-machine interaction for healthcare critical systems; satellite and mobile communications and devices for secure transmission of medical data, integrated with the health information infrastructure. 

4. Healthcare Information Networks and Services for Continuity of Care

Monitorable RTD Objective(s): Creation and validation of integrated and secure health information networks supporting the continuity of care from prevention to rehabilitation and across all the points of healthcare delivery (hospitals, labs, pharmacies, primary care, rehabilitation and social centres). Seamless integration of new applications with the legacy systems. These high-speed networks should link interoperable data repositories and health records to enable the health professionals to access and to share health data timely, securely and reliably in multilingual environment Special emphasis should be given to usability and user acceptance of the applications and the accessibility and security of the network.

Main Type of Action: R&D projects, Support measures

Specific Evaluation Criteria:

Justification: support of shared care for better efficiency and quality of health care, interoperability and standardised communication of health data to ensure improved operation of health services across different levels of care and across borders.

Key technologies and systems: Intranet and new generation secure web technologies; high speed networks and systems for seamless integration of remote care centres; standardised healthcare records and messages for communication of health data; high capacity and reliable portable devices; electronic signatures and encryption techniques for medical applications; systems integration technologies; 

5. Support for Future Health Delivery Systems (Health Managers)

Monitorable RTD Objective(s): Develop and validate information systems and services for health authorities and managers that support the operation and management of health delivery systems. Develop shared community data repositories for resource and quality management, encounters, claims; assessment of telematics related risks; and management and planning tools for health authorities, regional and national decision makers.

Main Type of Action: R&D projects, Support measures

Specific Evaluation Criteria:

Justification: Possibility of managing health systems with data that comes from national but also international databases, improving the management and the cost containment of health services in Europe. The management of heath systems cannot be done without the integration of the traditional administrative and new medical information systems across the boundaries.

Key technologies ad systems: Federation and integration of medical databases. One stop shop concept for retrieval of health related information. Intranet and new generation secure web technologies; high speed networks and systems for seamless integration of all types of healthcare centres; standardised healthcare records and messages for communication of health data; electronic signatures and encryption techniques for medical applications; systems integration technologies;

Special interest groups: people with disabilities and older people 

6. Design for All

Monitorable Objectives: Work will focus on improving design methods and design tools for IST systems, building on user-centred approaches and ensuring usability and widespread user acceptance. There will be particular emphasis on the development of novel user interface technologies, devices and interaction techniques to facilitate more effective personalised interaction with IST services and products. It will also cover the development and pilot demonstration of design for all products (eg software and user interfaces for personal computers), services and applications (e.g. telecommunication and online information services of general interest).

Design methods and tools will be disseminated for the use of mainstream suppliers, user acceptance will be measured (eg according to classification of users, breadth of involvement, degree of acceptance); evaluations of affordability; deferring and reducing the need for special assistive technologies will be made; the Design for All principles will be implemented in standards.

Main Type of action: RTD projects; accompanying measures (for dissemination of best practice, awareness, stimulation of take-up).

Specific evaluation criteria: application and enhancement of design tools and methods; active involvement of users; participation by mainstream product and service suppliers; contribution to standards development

Call information: Specific call information will be necessary: to explain Design for All and to distinguish its application in the specific Action Line with its application as a cross-programme theme; to specify take-up actions. 

7. IST tools, systems and support for independent living

The overall objective of this Action Line is to develop IT-based systems, applications and services which support the independence at home and in the workplace of older people and those with disabilities.

Monitorable Objectives:

i Support for workplace and employability through:

ii Active participation in society through: iii To stimulate suppliers of assistive technologies, mainstream suppliers of ICT products and service providers to provide telematics systems and tools in support of independent living, through iv Support for professional and informal carers, through The action must target increased availability and take-up of appropriate telematics based devices and systems, by end-users, formal and informal carers; interoperability between services and networks, increased participation in the workplace of the targeted user groups; validation of training tools. In the long-term, the socio-economic benefits of prolonging independent living through extended telematics based care and support should be documented.

Key Technologies and systems: adaptative systems; multi-modal human computer interactions; intelligent mechatronics for activities of daily living; smart-cards; advanced simulation and VR techniques; personal devices for tele-support.

Main type of action:

RTD projects, accompanying measures, cross-programme co-operation on "User acceptability" and User-Centred Design"

Specific evaluation criteria: use of standards compatible with mainstream developments; active involvement of users; participation of manufacturers and service providers from the public and private sectors. 

8. Adaptive or assistive technology devices for people with disabilities

Monitorable Objectives: Devise applications of technology to compensate for impaired functions and enhance remaining impaired functions, through work on: personal devices (e.g. for communication, mobility, orientation, transportation, manipulation, self-organisation, sensory support); direct bodily communication/connection; special peripherals and human-computer interfaces (particularly of an adaptive or adaptable nature); and teleassistance (e.g. for those with Alzheimerās and other confusion disorders). Better tools for the assessment and evaluation of assistive technologies are also needed. The work will need to pull on a wide range of technologies including bio-sensors, transducers and associated signal-processing methods, low-cost low-power ultra-fast electronics and displays, self-learning adaptive systems and neural networks, advanced prostheses and orthotics, artificial vision and advanced opto-electronic systems for visual impairment. Research is also needed into cognitive, perceptual and sensory processes in relation to disability and technology.

The action must achieve input to standards; evaluation of reduction of dependence on care; evaluation of user acceptance.

Main type of action: RTD projects

Specific evaluation criteria: standards; compatibility between these devices and mainstream products; compatibility with systems and services providing support and care; active user involvement; commercial exploitability of the results.

Administrations 

9. Adapting Public Administrations to the Information Society

Monitorable Objectives:

To develop up-to-date integrated systems and services for administrations and to demonstrate the advantages of employing these advanced services expressed as improvement of the internal effectiveness of public administrations, and streamlining of the interaction and inter-working between different levels (local, regional, national, EU), types and functions of administrations. This is to be achieved through the standardisation of public service systems architecture; the identification of the range of services integrated or harmonised.

The action will include effective adaptation to prepare for:

To provide government services of any member state to citizens regardless of the location of the citizen within the EU.

The innovative use of IST to support harmonisation of public services across the EU, such as customs, public tendering etc.

Systems and services to support the necessary harmonisation of administration procedures and co-operation for easing the enlargement of the EU.

Language engineering to facilitate the on-line translation, interpretation and sharing of government multimedia information.

Development of co-ordinated time critical service provision management systems and services based on static and dynamic image analysis, speech processing, simulation and real-time computer assisted co-operative work.

International co-operation with pre-accession states is desirable to strengthen EU enlargement activity. Research and demonstration actions to support administrations in the application of EU policies and the enlargement of the EU are included.

Main type of action:

RTD projects, Accompanying measures (for co-operation on the definition of a public service systems architecture, dissemination of best practice, awareness, take-up), Concerted actions and studies.

Specific evaluation criteria:

Participation of multiple levels of administrations, contribution to EU harmonisation, development of public service systems architecture. Participation of politicians and advisors at all levels of government. Participation from new member states. Participation from relevant EU institutions. 

10. Access to Public Administrations for all Citizens

Monitorable Objectives:

Development and demonstration of wide band services encompassing virtual reality applications, multimedia document formats and smart card technology.

To improve the quality of public services and their provision and the accessibility of public information for all citizens, businesses and other organisations including other public administrations. This can be done for example through sharing individual, aggregate and geographical data between various functions of public administrations and their direct service providers.

Design, development and demonstration work is required to:

The action must provide measurement of user acceptance, range of citizen groups accessing, range of services used, multi-lingual access.

Main type of action:

Specific evaluation criteria:

Participation of wide ranging groups of citizens, corporate entities and administrations. Demonstrations in varying types of location. Range and complexity of information available, innovative presentation of statistics, measures to ensure privacy. 

11. On-line Support for the Democratic Process

Monitorable Objectives: Develop and demonstrate co-operative environment platforms which exploit virtual reality, encryption and authentication ensuring when needed the anonymity of the user. Assist citizens to take a more active part in influencing the decisions concerning the use of public powers and resources which effect their lives. This will include work on: The action must include measurement of user acceptance, harmonisation of voting mechanisms, number of electronic referenda and administrations consulting citizens via telematics.

Main type of action: RTD projects, Accompanying measures and studies.

Specific evaluation criteria: Participation of politicians and advisors at all levels of government, innovative electronic voting mechanisms, participation of citizens groups and corporate entities.

Environment 

12. Environmental Management and Information Systems and Services

Monitorable Objectives: The success of the action will be monitored through the demonstration of interoperable systems for monitoring and assessing the state of the environment, demonstration of systems for the assessment of risks to human health, and expanded human expertise, development of, methods for mapping significant pollution, soil erosion, for mapping biodiversity and for better.

Main type of action: RTD

Specific Evaluation Criteria: involvement of different actors including industry, administrations, SMEs and research institutions; innovative approaches for the integration of on-line emission data and for the use of satellite-based remote-sensing and GIS systems; support to standardisation, adaptive data mining tools to provide the general public with environmental information. 

13. Risk and Crisis Management System

Monitorable Objectives: The action will, in particular aim at demonstration of systems for risk assessment, emergence of private-public-civil protection partnerships, increase in public awareness of natural hazards, demonstration of consistent emergency support systems with real-time communication networks.

Main type of action: RTD

Specific Evaluation Criteria: participation of local authorities, emergency services and citizens, innovative use of IST in risk and crisis management systems, support to standardisation and the development of standard sets of variables for industrial plant monitoring, innovative approaches for the integration of real-time data, use of widely available, non-proprietary communication systems etc. 

14. IST Technologies for Environment and Sustainable development

Monitorable Objectives: The validation of new applications, and the reduction of the environmental impact of industrial and other societal activities will be needed. Th The main results achieved must include neutral data exchange formats, standards for protocols and interfaces, increase of public awareness, demonstration of systems for common database.

Main type of action: RTD

Specific Evaluation Criteria: involvement of actors from different societal domains, innovative use of IST in systems for sustainable development, harmonised data systems 

Transport and Tourism 

15. IST Systems for Intelligent Transport Infrastructure

Monitorable Objectives: Development and validation of new information and communication technologies to improve efficiency and safety, and reduce environmental impact. This work will include enhancement of surveillance, positioning, communication/reporting and guidance systems, both satellite and ground-based. Traffic management for individual and collective modes will be supported through the development of advanced infrastructure, equipment and services, such as video sensors, detectors and beacons, integrate in new, intelligent local traffic control systems. Systems will be developed integrating environmental and weather parameters, interlinked to on-board monitoring of environmental vehicle performance systems. Advanced models of traffic conditions and driver behaviour will be developed. These systems will interwork with systems for managing large-scale events and crises. Tools will be developed to measure and check traffic emissions and provide data for public air quality information systems, particularly for use in urban areas. Image processing technologies will be used for video-based traffic surveillance.

Main type of action: RTD projects

Specific Evaluation Criteria: participation of infrastructure owners, vehicle manufacturers, operators and controllers. 

16. IST Systems for Intelligent Vehicles

Monitorable Objectives: Development and validation of advanced technologies and systems to be used on-board vehicles to increase the safety and comfort of the driver/pilot/captain and their passengers. Vision enhancement and systems to monitor drivers will be developed. Work will be performed on obstacle detection and warning, systems for crash avoidance and to ensure compliance with regulations. For road transport, systems for the electronic coupling of vehicles, cruising and lane-keeping, requiring technologies for high frequency communication and high-speed image processing will be developed. Intelligent technologies for traffic condition monitoring, tracking and tracing methods via in-vehicle transponders and roadside beacons will be developed. On-board vehicle device activation via voice recognition will be considered as will enhanced geographic positioning and vehicle localisation systems. For other modes, telematic systems for intelligent vehicle operation will be developed. Human factors and appropriate human-machine interface designs will be taken into account.

Main type of action: RTD projects

Specific Evaluation Criteria: development of bio-sensors, multiple approaches to anti-collision (selective radars, vehicle-to-vehicle communications etc.), participation of vehicle manufacturers. 

17. IST Technologies for Operators and Managers

Monitorable Objectives:

Interconnection of traffic management, control, information and mobility centres including data exchange techniques and interconnection of data servers, with special emphasis on urban/inter-urban links. Advanced travel demand management via intelligent access control to sensitive zones, preferential treatment of priority and environmentally friendly transport means (incl. electric/hybrid vehicles, but also motorized two-wheelers and specially adapted delivery vans) and specific interest groups, telematics-aided tidal flow management, intelligent traffic restraint and user charging schemes. Intelligent parking management (via demand-adaptive, location- differentiated pricing and real-time information on availability and guidance to controlled locations incl. parkānāride ). Environmentally-led automated access control/gating technologies (activated at pollution alert thresholds). Electronic fee collection and payment systems via short range communications (DSRC) and/or smart cards. Emergency management (from incident detection to intervention, aid/assistance provision and re-routeing/diversion of blocked traffic), intelligent planning for special events (such as expos, games/ concerts, strikes, VIP passages, etc.) and risk and disaster management (floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, hazardous material pollution spills, etc.);

Main type of action: RTD projects

Specific Evaluation Criteria: innovative approaches for secure document transfer, mode-neutral information providers 

18. IS Traveller (information, communication and mobility) services;

Monitorable Objectives: Development and validation of advanced telematics Īinfomobilityā services to provide travellers with personalised information, reservation and payment facilities, including entertainment, before or during their journeys. On-board interactive multi-media devices permitting, among others, pre-trip and on route travel planning, including pre-booking of parking facilities at foreseen arrival times, pre-notification/reservation of Īcirculation or priority passage rightsā as well as access to value-added/ancillary services, while acting at the same time as Īfloatingā traffic probes. Multi-service smart cards (permitting for instance, road use charging, public transport ticketing, parking payment, Īelectronic wallet/purseā operations, and/or access to Internet, library and administration services). Advanced personalised communication devices for business travellers; 

19. Integrated Systems for Tourism

Monitorable objectives: Application projects to develop a value added cluster of interoperable, platform independent components for an European federated tourism information systems network with a user-friendly open access. The information chain management involves the collection, authentication, certification, organisation, standardisation, processing and presentation to monitoring, planning, forecast and marketing, as well as the integration of all components of tourism packages as accommodation, travel, event information, including entertainment/culture booking and payment. Systems for planning, yield and capacity management, systems and tools for general quality and business process management, workflow, intelligent and personalised information filtering, aggregation and presentation, benchmarking and creation of a knowledge base and market observatory will be also covered.

Main type of action: Cluster of interoperable RTD projects Specific support actions for harmonisation and interoperability mechanisms, specific observatory and knowledge base; constituency building process.

Specific Evaluation Criteria: Quality and new services, cluster approach, guarantee equal opportunities of access to services to all users, suppliers and main actors.



Accompanying measures

Objectives:

ANNEX to Key Action 1

Interactions between Healthcare, People with Special Needs, Administrations, Environment, Transport & Tourism (key action 1) with other topics

A. Common Topics

Candidates for cross programme technologies.

I. Technologies and Tools for Tourism

RTD objectives: Development and exploitation of enabling technologies and tools as building blocks for an European federated tourism information systems network; devices and human-machine interfaces for ubiquitous, language-independent access and exploitation of information such as portable devices, ASICs, smart cards and reservation payment for tourism, GPS, GSM integration, GIS, infomobillity, intelligent multilingual and multimedia agent-based user-customized systems for marketing. Open, heterogeneous, platform-independent and interoperable decision support systems for all tourism business activities including planning, capacity and quality management, customer satisfaction and fidelity.

Main type of action: Cluster of RTD projects (indicative project size 2 MECU, 1.5 ECU funding);

Specific Evaluation Criteria: Practices and methodologies enabling co-operation, harmonization, awareness, knowledge and technology transfer, benchmarking, business practice.

Expected call dates:

II. Smart Cards

Smart Cards occur with various objectives in at least three domains:

III. Design for All

Design for all: this is an Action Line in Key Action 1, where it is needed explicitly to advance the state of the art in methods and tools for products and services for people with disabilities and older people.

It is also required at the programme level in the form of an accompanying measure if it is to achieve the breadth of impact needed to ensure designers of IST-based products in general address the needs of the widest range of abilities in line with the anti-discrimination clause in the Amsterdam Treaty. This would be partly an awareness-raising accompanying measure, partly education and training aimed at system designers and partly a dissemination of best practices.

B. International Aspects

Environment:
co-operation with geographically close regions is essential if the research is to be effectively exploited. Neighbouring regions should be encouraged through cooperative research actions to adopt systems, system standards, data exchange formats, reporting standards compatible with, or identical to, those emerging into use within the Union as a result of Community research.
Administrations: preparations for enlargement of the EU

C. Socio-Economic/statistics

Disabled and Elderly:

RTD Objectives: assess the size of the market for IST products constituted by the disabled and elderly population. Evaluate the impact on the economy of bringing skills back into the community by using IST to integrate disabled and elderly people into society;

Environment:

Analysis of the benefits of deploying the application systems and technologies for environmental purposes and sustainable development . Possible benefits are increased awareness, participation of the citizen in decision-making, increased safety, improved health, reduction of negative impact on the environment. The increased employment generated by environmental regulation should be included.

Transport:

The growth of economic activity has always been reflected in a corresponding growth in transportation. The application of IST may help to manage, or reduce, the consequences of increased activity, which are normally increased congestion, delay and resulting costs and environmental damage. The application of systems providing more efficient navigation and routing, for example, should result in fuel (and cost) savings. All modes of transport should be considered. The integration of weather data may provide more savings and contribute to safety, particular for waterborne and air transport modes. The integration of pollution measurements, particularly in urban areas may contribute to improved traffic management policies, improved health and less damage to the environment.

4. Administrations: statistical aspects

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