CCAM-ERAS final event brings two years of research on automated mobility to a close

On 9 June, the final event of the CCAM-ERAS project took place in Brussels, bringing together researchers, policymakers, industry representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the future of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM).

The event marked the conclusion of a two-year programme of research into the social, technical and employment impacts of emerging self-driving technologies. Led by Panteia, the CCAM-ERAS consortium brought together partners with expertise in economics, road operations, mobility, technology, skills and applied research. The findings are intended to support decision-makers across policy, industry, labour markets, skills and investment as CCAM technologies continue to develop and move closer to wider deployment.

Held at Comet-Louise in Brussels, the final event provided an opportunity to present the project’s main findings and discuss their implications with key stakeholders. The programme included sessions on the current CCAM landscape, the socio-economic impacts of automated mobility, future skills needs, required policy responses, and the project’s roadmap and recommendations.

A central message from the event was that CCAM should not be viewed only as a technological development, but as part of a broader transition affecting mobility systems, employment, skills, cities and public authorities.

Employment impacts: changing jobs rather than simply replacing them
One of the key discussions focused on the employment effects of CCAM. Project partners from ITS Norway and Cambridge Econometrics were joined by representatives from Uber, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the International Road Transport Union to discuss how automation may affect transport jobs across Europe.

The discussion highlighted that CCAM is more likely to reshape jobs than simply eliminate them. Rather than immediate large-scale job losses, the transition may involve changes to tasks, evolving job profiles, reduced vacancies in some occupations, and gradual replacement through retirement, particularly in driving occupations.

Participants also noted that existing driver shortages change the employment story. In freight and passenger transport, automation may partly respond to shortages in monotonous or hard-to-fill driving roles, rather than displacing a fully staffed workforce. At the same time, impacts are expected to be uneven across workers, places and sectors, with different implications for local transport companies, SMEs, platform workers, professional freight drivers and public transport operators.

Skills for the CCAM transition
Panteia also moderated a panel discussion on workforce transitions and skills for CCAM. Project partners from Panteia and CINOP were joined by representatives from Einride, the Swedish Transport Agency and Rich Autonomy GmbH to present findings and reflect on where the most significant skills gaps are emerging, what plans are needed to prepare the workforce, and how public authorities and companies can support adaptation in practice.

A key conclusion was that CCAM skills gaps go beyond technical expertise. The workforce challenge is not only about engineers, software developers or technical specialists, but also about people who can connect technology, operations, safety, regulation and governance.

Existing roles across the whole value chain will also need to evolve. Drivers, mechanics, fleet managers, insurers, regulatory affairs staff and public authorities will all require new competences as vehicles become increasingly automated, connected and software-defined.

The discussion also underlined the need for more harmonised training, certification and cooperation across Europe. Practical, modular training, cross-border recognition of qualifications and stronger cooperation between industry, education providers, public authorities and policymakers were identified as important elements of a future skills response.

Public authorities and cities as key actors
Another important theme was the role of cities and public authorities in shaping CCAM deployment. Project partners from Rupprecht Consult GmbH were joined by representatives from the European Commission, Eurocities and the Remote Connector project to discuss how CCAM can be steered towards public value.

Participants stressed that skills investment should be guided by evidence, not assumptions. Before large-scale investment in upskilling, reskilling and training programmes, policymakers need a clear understanding of what skills are actually needed, where gaps are likely to emerge, and which workers, companies and institutions are most affected.

Cities and public authorities were also identified as key actors in ensuring that CCAM contributes to wider goals for safe, sustainable, inclusive and affordable mobility. Procurement, soft regulation and structured dialogue with operators can help public authorities shape deployment in line with local needs and public policy objectives.

The discussion also highlighted that a fair transition requires capacity-building across institutions, not only among workers. Public authorities, cities and local policymakers will also need new skills and resources, particularly in areas such as legal frameworks, data management, digital skills, procurement and remote operation.

Looking ahead
The final event provided a fitting conclusion to two years of research and collaboration. For Panteia, which led the consortium, it was a valuable opportunity to bring together the project’s findings and discuss how they can inform future policy, skills and labour market responses.

The discussions made clear that while the CCAM-ERAS project is coming to an end, the questions it has explored are only becoming more relevant. As automated mobility continues to develop, Europe will need evidence-based policy, strong cooperation between stakeholders, and a clear focus on ensuring that technological change supports public value, decent work and inclusive mobility.

Panteia would like to thank all project partners, speakers, panellists and participants who contributed to the final event and to the wider CCAM-ERAS project over the past two years.

More information about the project and its outputs is available at: https://ccam-eras.org/