Estimating costs and benefits of C-ITS deployment in Austria, England and the Netherlands using the Cobra+ tool

Abstract

Cooperative systems which rely on vehicle-to-infrastructure communications are designed to tackle important road
transport issues, such as safety and pollution. Since the associated monetary commitment is substantial, a clear
understanding of the appropriate business models and likely costs, impacts and benefits is necessary before
investment decisions can be made. A tool for estimating the costs and benefits, from both business and the societal
point of view, was developed in the COBRA+ project, to assist National Road Authorities (NRA) during their
decision processes. This paper illustrates the application of the tool to use cases in Austria, England and the
Netherlands. The study identifies some of the key aspects to focus on in order to achieve a beneficial balance
between costs and positive impacts. Findings reveal that the costs are likely to be higher than the monetised benefits
over the time period investigated (to 2030). The financial role of the NRA (or their Road Operator) is particularly
influential for the business case.