"The SIMBA II project aims to increase RTD cooperation between the EU and the ICPC of Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. SIMBA II will look at how the EU and ICPC can jointly increase road safety, mobility and transport efficiency, improve road and transport network management and research appropriate pavement design while at the same time improving levels of transport-related pollution. This will enable SIMBA II to support emerging markets in their efforts to improve transportation while at the same time enhancing European industrial competitiveness via transfer of technologies. Special attention will be paid to mobility and road management, urban traffic issues and public transport in order to better assess and evaluate the development of new infrastructure and of policy-led ITS solutions through sustainable urban transport planning. ICPC could benefit in this respect from the latest experiences in the EU and move forward integrated transport network management, focusing on policy solutions to tackle congestion and environmental challenges. During a 24-month period, the SIMBA II project will set up and run a series of expert groups to further work on the priorities defined in the first SIMBA project. It will bring together European and local ICPC organisations to engage in preparatory technical work, including feasibility studies for the development and/or implementation of new ITS and infrastructure technologies in the ICPC (looking at adapting European technologies to local needs in an effort to improve local transport conditions)."