As 2025 kicks off, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the many opportunities ahead. This year, ERTICO embarks on a new chapter to further strengthen our role as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration in the intelligent transport and mobility sector. It will be a refreshed strategic phase, aligning our activities with evolving societal needs and priorities. I am particularly proud to start this new year as re-elected CEO for a second term, and I am deeply committed to building on past successes while driving forward our shared vision for the future with our great quality team and our Partners.
Following the solid foundations laid in 2024, including the remarkable collective achievements highlighted by Chairman Dr Angelos Amditis in his end-of-year message, we continue to assert our role as a thought leader. This year, we will continue to build on our progress, focusing on the growth and impact achieved through our network of Partners, cross-sector cooperation, and advanced initiatives addressing safety, decarbonisation, and digitalisation in transport.
Following the strategic refit initiated during the 2024 Strategic Think Tank, we will also publish and advocate our new strategy with an updated vision and mission, accompanied by priority areas to ensure the work of our Partners continues to meet the evolving needs of the European transport and mobility ecosystem. Our focus remains on delivering tangible value and solutions across the intelligent transport landscape, pushing the boundaries of innovation to the next level. In particular, we will dig even deeper into digitalisation, data, and emerging technologies like connected mobility, and AI-driven solutions. Other topics will include sustainability, resilience, safety and the human-centric part of the technology landscape. Among many initiatives, we will launch new projects, and deepen partnerships by fostering synergy on critical topics to shape the future of transport with bold, intelligent, and impactful solutions. With this prosperous ambition, 2025 allows us to take bold steps forward.
In synch with the incoming new European Commission and its priorities, our activities on thought leadership and advocacy will push into a higher gear. Our large portfolio of EU-funded projects, numerous cross-sector dialogues and the ITS Congresses cycle are a natural reservoir of rich takeaways and lessons learnt. This relates to research, piloting and testing, deployment, policy development and additional advocacy items. We will also reinforce a strong recognition and confirmation of the necessary EU budget funds for smart and sustainable transport & mobility in the upcoming Framework Programme 10 (FP10). Research, innovation and skills are fundamental EU assets for the competitiveness of our sector and we cannot take a lower stance on this, looking at the global race and industrial challenges in our sector. The Draghi report makes this crystal clear.
As we step into this new year, the global transport sector stands at a defining moment, driven by groundbreaking innovation, environmental imperatives, and evolving societal expectations. 2024 was a turning point, with Europe asserting leadership through the first-ever legal framework on AI, pivotal advancements in renewable energy, and an intensified focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion which are all critical elements shaping the future of mobility.
Next to further deployment solutions in CCAM (Connected, cooperative and automated mobility), the acceleration of electric vehicle (EV) technology is transforming decarbonisation from ambition to reality, with smarter batteries, more robust charging networks, and seamless energy management. Autonomous systems, underpinned by AI and advanced sensors, are redefining safety and efficiency across passenger and freight transport, while smart urban solutions like Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and intelligent traffic management are reshaping how we move within our cities and across borders. I am pleased to witness tangible traction on air mobility, where in September 2024, ERTICO established a new Innovation Platform on air mobility, ITS-driven Innovative Aerial Services (IDI). Emerging drone technologies and automated freight systems are breaking barriers in logistics, creating greener and more responsive supply chains.
The deployment of mobility data spaces also continues to provide seamless interoperability where the dots are truly connected. At ERTICO, we not only observe these changes, but we also work actively to facilitate these advancements by driving transformation through innovation, in close collaboration with our network of Partners, which is at the heart of what we do. Going beyond this, we will continue our dedicated support and contribution to achieving the missions with many like-minded organisations and associations, including the MaaS Alliance (Mobility-as-a-Service) and traffic information and standards with TISA.
Another key highlight in 2025 is our flagship event, the ITS Congress. ERTICO will organise the 16th ITS European Congress in Seville, Spain which will take place from 19–21 May. This yearly event brings together the public and private sectors to exchange insights, address challenges, and explore innovative solutions shaping the future of transport and mobility. The vital deadline is fast approaching for this event: 10 January 2025 marks the final day for Technical Programme contributions. This represents a unique opportunity for researchers, innovators, and practitioners to share their expertise and shape the global ITS agenda.
From 25–28 August 2025, we are also looking forward to co-organising the 31st ITS World Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, with ITS America and ITS Asia-Pacific. This partnership highlights the global scope of the event, uniting experts from around the world to shape a cutting-edge agenda on ITS. Beyond our programme coordination, we are excited to host a dedicated Pavilion in the exhibition area, showcasing European innovation in transport and mobility while facilitating collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders from all around the world.
From the introduction of new projects, in conjunction with the ongoing ones, and strengthening the collaboration with our Partners, the Network of National ITS Organisations, and many other like-minded organisations and strategic partnerships. This year, I am particularly looking forward to taking an active role in stewardship, cooperation and synergising on key ITS topics. It is my ambition to solidify ERTICO’s position at the forefront of this dynamic era, highlighting intelligent, safe, and resilient mobility solutions. Our focus will remain on creating solutions that empower an inclusive and sustainable society, ensuring that innovation in transport and mobility benefits all. 2025 will be a testament to ERTICO’s leadership in shaping a smarter, more connected, and sustainable future for mobility.
Empowering the Team
Last but not least, nothing can be done without a team of talented people. 2025 will be the year to emphasise talent development and team empowerment as a follow-up of a vast HR programme in the ERTICO office team. Guided by our core values, Cooperative, Impactful, Open, Passionate, and Visionary, we remain committed to fostering a workplace culture that drives collaboration and innovation. I am looking forward to seeing the continued progression.
A heartfelt thank you to our Partners, to my wonderful team, the Supervisory Board and its Chairman Dr Angelos Amditis, the Strategy Committee, the network of ITS Nationals, the European Commission, Parliament and Council stakeholders and our numerous knowledge community for the joint dedication and collaboration. Together, we can make 2025 a year of extraordinary progress and shared success!
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Here’s to a bright, prosperous, and inspiring year ahead!
Warm regards,
Joost Vantomme, CEO, ERTICO – ITS Europe