With traffic congestion rising, 40,000 people dying on the roads annually and fuel consumption and air pollution continuing to grow, Europe faces serious challenges on its roads. Air pollution and climate change, moreover, are not Europe's only environmental challenges.

ICTs can help improve safety, optimize natural resource use, design smarter and cleaner processes, and predict and manage the environment. Research in this Challenge therefore covers a lot of ground.

'Intelligent car' research will make transport systems safer and more energy efficient, as well as support Europe's automotive industries, while new 'mobility services' will ensure transport resources are used more efficiently.

Infrastructure and manufacturing plants, such as power networks, chemical plants and oil pipelines, will also be made more resilient, secure and energy efficient, while new systems to monitor and react to environmental risks will be developed.