The FESTA Support Action was a vital step in the realisation of scientifically robust and efficiently run Field Operational Tests which aimed to evaluate key ICT functions. A consortium of European experts with a wide range of skills was formed to allow the development of a 'best-practice' handbook which set out to guide the design and implementation of an FOT. The consortium involved the participation of academic institutes and national research laboratories, vehicle manufacturers and system providers, along with representatives of national road authorities.

This allowed the dovetailing of scientific integrity and practical considerations. This Support Action considered the whole lifecycle of an FOT, from the analysis of stakeholders' needs, the choice of behavioural and other (performance and individual) indicators, the methods by which they are measured (data acquisition), and analysed, reported and integrated and legal, ethical and procedural considerations. In addition, a whole range of ICT functions were considered, ranging from vehicle systems (e.g. collision warning systems), cooperative systems (e.g. traffic management systems) and nomadic devices such as driver information systems.

Running alongside the standard management functions, was the development of two key workshops to involve wider participation of stakeholders. They provided the opportunity to undertake needs analyses and dissemination activities. The potential for exploitation of the results and outputs of the FESTA Support Action were high, given the specific EC call for FOTs in the near future.