Luis Simões participate in the pilot project OPTIMUM

LS integrates Horizon 2020 EU program for research into new road solutions

The Luis Simões was one of the companies selected to develop new forms of traffic management under Community Framework Programme for Research and Innovation of the European Union Horizon 2020, integrating a consortium of 18 European partners, representing 8 countries. The project, called OPTIMUM - Research and Innovation Action, aims to explore innovative solutions to bridge the congestion of transport networks, namely the transfer flows to less congested routes, and also has Portuguese companies: Estradas de Portugal (EP) Innovation and transport systems (TIS) and Uninova.

Under this project are being implemented five pilot cases in total in four Member States: Portugal, Slovenia, Austria and England, an investment of 5.9 million euros. In the Portuguese case, the focus is on the exploration of new forms of traffic management in order to transfer flows to less congested roads, exploring innovative concepts such as dynamic pricing schemes. We expect travel time savings, safety and comfort, as well as costs associated with the movement.

The process is supported through the collection, processing and transmission of data from multiple sensors, social media, various systems and providers of services to be integrated into a software application that will determine the prices of real-time tolls. The Portuguese pilot project, Uninova will be responsible for technological component of data processing; TIS for planning, implementation and evaluation, as well as the contribution in disseminating issues and deployment practices. In addition, the EP contributes in defining requirements and project implementation in conjunction with the Luis Simões, which tests the solutions in real conditions of travel planning. This project started in May, extending over 2016, 2017 and 2018, with testing of tolling systems and analysis of competitiveness in Porto and in some outflows from Spain.

Pedro Ventura, Director of the Department of Process and Compliance of Luis Simões says that "the Portuguese project was received very positively and we are delighted to be involved in the operation of a study of this size and importance for national and European competitiveness."

About Horizon 2020

Horizon 2020 is the research framework program and European Union innovation, featuring a total of 77 billion euros in 2014-2020. It is the largest European Community instrument specifically geared to supporting research through the co-financing of research projects, innovation and demonstration. Financial support is granted in competing tenders base and through an independent evaluation of proposals.