The GAUSS project aims fast and thorough achievement of acceptable levels in terms of performance, safety and security for both, current RPAS and future UTM operations. UTM helps control, manage and integrate all RPAS in the VLL airspace to ensure the security and efficiency of UAS operations. The key element within GAUSS is the integration and exploitation of Galileo-EGNOS exceptional features for precise and secure positioning. These features will enable not only safe, timely and efficient operations but also coordination among a higher number of RPAS with appropriate levels of security, as it provides anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities. Multi-frequency and multi-constellation solutions will be exploited with this purpose. GAUSS will increase resilience in UTM operations and, at the same time, ensure UTM coordination capabilities to increase the number of platforms that can share the same airspace. Precise coordination among UAS in the air, together with individual high precision and secure positioning are key for the safety of the operations and therefore for the success of UTM. The UTM infrastructure will also benefit from the GAUSS Galileo-EGNOS based ADS-B solution and encrypted air-ground communications. GAUSS includes the definition, negotiation and execution of safe trajectories both in normal operation and in case security or safety is compromised. The GAUSS systems will be validated with two field trials (in-land and sea) with the operation of 4 UTM coordinated RPAS with different types (fixed and rotary wing) and EASA operational categories. The outcome of the project will consist of Galileo-EGNOS based technological solutions to enhance safety and security levels in current RPAS operations and future UTM based operations. Increased levels of efficiency, reliability, safety and security in RPAS operations are key enabling features to foster the European RPAS regulation and market development and their full acceptance by the European society.

HERON aims to develop an integrated automated system to perform maintenance and upgrading roadworks, such as sealing cracks, patching potholes, asphalt rejuvenation, autonomous replacement of CUD elements and painting markings, but also supporting the pre/post-intervention phase including visual inspections and dispensing and removing traffic cones in an automated and controlled manner. The HERON system consists of: i) autonomous ground robotic vehicle that will be supported by autonomous drones to coordinate maintenance works and the pre-/post- intervention phase; ii) various robotic equipment, including sensors and actuators (e.g., tools for cut and fill, surface material placement and compaction, modular components installation, laser scanners for 3D mapping) placed on the main vehicle; iii) sensing interface installed both to the robotic platform and to the Road Infrastructures (RI) to allow improved monitoring (situational awareness) of the structural, functional and RI’s and markings’ conditions; iv) the control software that interconnects the sensing interface with the actuating robotic equipment; v) Augmented Reality (AR) visualization tools that enable the robotic system to see in detail surface defects and markings under survey; vi) Artificial Intelligence/AI-based toolkits that will act as the middleware of a twofold role for: a) optimally coordinating the road maintenance/upgrading workflows and b) intelligent processing of distributed data coming from the vehicle and the infrastructure sensors for safe operations and not disruption of other routine operations or traffic flows; and vii) integrate all data in an enhanced visualisation user interface supporting decisions and viii) communication modules to allow for Vehicle-to-Infrastructure/-Everything (V2I/X) data exchange for predictive maintenance and increase users safety. HERON aims to reduce fatal accidents, maintenance costs, traffic disruptions, thus increasing the network capacity and efficiency.

EU customs administrations implement common rules at the EU Customs Union borders. They protect society while facilitating legitimate trade. Alongside the collection of duties and taxes, customs core activities now include security related roles including fighting illegal trade in drugs, weapons, radioactive and nuclear materials, security sensitive dual-use items, illicit waste and other environmental threats. To deal with high volumes of goods moving across the Union`s borders, and the need to restrict physical interventions to a minimum, customs operate a risk-based, multi-level detection architecture at Border Crossing Points. This must take into account the nature of the operational environment, the threat materials to be detected, and the types of concealments used by smugglers. For more than two decades, customs have used X-ray scanning as a first level control. However, current applications of this technology continue to result in a relatively high level of false positives/negatives and inconclusive results, giving rise to secondary controls, including physical inspections. This can be attributed in part to a failure to develop operator skills through accredited training and sharing of images of threat materials and concealments in a structured manner. Moreover, second level technology controls such as Raman spectroscopy are frequently applied with a narrow focus. The EU Customs Control Equipment Instrument aims to harmonize customs controls at the EU borders and to upgrade customs equipment including X-ray scanners and field analysis devices. BORDERLINK aims to make a significant contribution to CCEI aims as well as the planned reform of the Customs Union. BORDERLINK will enhance customs` capabilities and performance at EU borders by advancing the detection and identification of threat materials, improving training, communication and data sharing. It will help to strengthen supply chain controls and promote the Green Customs Initiative.