At the intitiation of the RDS-TMC implementation projects early in 1995 all European TMC activities were combined under the FORCE-ECORTIS project. The consequences for R&D were: all actors were grouped in one project, that is open for all additional actors; research is directly linked to implementation and rather than the technical solution, consensus is the main concern. FORCE-ECORTIS implemented a scrupulous consensus process of five steps to come from an idea to fully supported proposals for standardisation. This process includes accurate agreements with CEN and CENELEC about tasks and responsibilities. During the first 18 months of the project this approach resulted in effective R&D, that is co-ordinated with implementation requirements, and new proposals for RDS-TMC standardisation, that can and will be processed efficiently. At this phase of the life of RDS-TMC, consensus has been demonstrated as the key element for success in R&D, rather than the competitive approach that was previously needed for valuable pilot schemes.
Samenvatting