From 27 - 29 April 2026, Istanbul is set to become the next epicentre for the entire intelligent transport community as the 17th ITS European Congress brings together cities, industry leaders, researchers and policymakers to shape the future of mobility.
CEO of ERTICO, Joost Vantomme, expresses his excitement, "The sense of belonging to an interconnected community is something I greatly value. I look forward to reconnecting with colleagues and partners I have met recently, others I have not seen for some time, and some I last encountered on the other side of the world, as well as meeting many new faces for the first time."
He continues, "I am equally pleased to see many of our partners contributing across the programme and in the exhibition, including Google, Okan University, Miovision, SWARCO, T-Systems, PTV Group, Yunex Traffic, TomTom, Ford Otosan, and the UK Pavilion with Transport for West Midlands, host of the next ITS World Congress in Birmingham 2027. Join us at the ERTICO European Pavilion, Stand F12, to connect with our team, explore the latest results from our portfolio of EU-funded projects, and meet representatives from National ITS Associations co-exhibiting with us."
Marking a new phase of innovation in Istanbul
Set within one of the world’s most complex and dynamic urban environments, where over 30 million daily journeys take place, the Congress offers more than discussion. It provides a real-world context to explore how intelligent transport solutions are deployed, integrated and operated at scale.
Deputy Secretary General of IMM, Pelin Alpkökin, comments, "As the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, we are pleased to host ERTICO, one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings in the field of smart cities and sustainable mobility solutions. This collaboration reinforces Istanbul’s strategic position on a global scale and showcases our city’s implementation capacity in modern transport technologies on the international stage. With its unique geography connecting two continents, Istanbul is not only a transit hub but also a natural centre where diverse ideas, innovative solutions and global expertise converge."
She continues, "This Congress demonstrates how international cooperation and local government leadership can come together to produce powerful results. The knowledge gained and the connections established here will help shape global progress toward smarter and more sustainable cities."
Themed Bridging Innovation: Integrated, safe and seamless mobility
At a time when mobility systems are becoming increasingly interconnected, the Congress focuses on a central question: how do we move from innovation to implementation? This year’s edition places strong emphasis on the theme ‘Bridging Innovation: Integrated, safe and seamless mobility'. With a mix of returning participants and new contributors, the Congress continues to serve as a trusted platform for collaboration, while each host city introduces new perspectives. In Istanbul, this is reflected in a clear focus on multimodal mobility and system integration.
A programme shaped around real challenges
The Congress Programme is designed to reflect the complexity of today’s mobility landscape. It is structured around four strategic topics:
- Safety and resilience through intelligent systems
- Multimodal mobility system management
- Smart and sustainable logistics
- Transport beyond the road
These themes provide a coherent framework to explore how policy, technology and operations come together in practice, moving beyond concepts to real-world application.
The High-Level Programme sets the strategic direction, featuring the official Opening and Closing Ceremonies, a High-Level Plenary as well as the Smart Mobility Summit of Cities & Regions. Discussions will address automation, electrification, multimodal hubs and the societal dimension of mobility connecting long-term vision with operational realities.
At the heart of the Congress, the Technical Programme brings together peer-reviewed research, operational expertise and cross-sector insights, ensuring that innovation is closely linked to practical application. Across 100+ technical sessions, four key topics will be explored: safety and resilience, multimodal mobility, smart logistics, and transport beyond the road. Together, they offer a comprehensive framework to address current challenges across policy, technology and operations.
Access the interactive programme
Co-creating the future of mobility
A defining element of this year’s Congress is the introduction of 8 Co-created sessions, reflecting a shift towards more collaborative and participatory programme design. Developed with key organisations including POLIS Network, Eurocities, 6G Infrastructure Association (6GIA), SESAR Joint Undertaking, ITS Nationals, CILT Türkiye, the European Passengers’ Federation and PAVE Europe, these sessions bring together complementary expertise from across sectors.
Each session is designed to go beyond traditional panel discussions. Instead, they function as interactive platforms for alignment and problem-solving, addressing topics such as:
- Connecting local priorities with European and global mobility frameworks
- Expanding mobility beyond the road, including aviation and emerging systems
- Strengthening international collaboration and cross-sector partnerships
- Embedding societal and user perspectives into system design
By enabling direct exchange between stakeholders, these sessions support the co-creation of practical approaches that accelerate deployment and ensure that innovation responds to real operational and societal needs.
Engaging the next generation and shaping inclusive mobility
Complementing the core programme, a series of targeted side events adds further depth to the Congress experience, focusing on talent, inclusion and the future of mobility systems. One of which is the dedicated Talent Matchmaking session, which will create a dedicated space for young professionals and emerging leaders to engage with industry experts, exchange ideas and build connections across the ITS community. It reflects the growing importance of fostering new talent and ensuring that the next generation actively contributes to shaping mobility solutions.
Experience mobility in practice
The Congress goes beyond conference rooms to offer hands-on insight into mobility solutions in action. The Exhibition showcases technologies and deployments from leading organisations. At the heart, the ITS Arena offer a dynamic stage for short, practical sessions focused on real-world implementation, sharing lessons learned, challenges and outcomes. Across six tracks, including Seamless Mobility, City Motion, Autonomous Edge, Green Cities, Air Mobility and Flow, speakers share practical insights from live applications.
In addition, the exhibition will also feature several live demonstrations across many stands and the dedicated test track, such as teleoperated electric vehicles, autonomous shuttles, shared micro-mobility and next-generation electric freight transport. These applications will highlight how electrification, automation and connectivity can support safer operations, reduce emissions and improve efficiency across urban mobility networks. More importantly, they will demonstrate how these solutions function as part of a wider system, contributing to coordinated and seamless mobility experiences.
Participants with a Knowledge Pass can also attend the Technical Visits across Istanbul, gaining exclusive access to large-scale operational environments where innovative solutions are implemented across complex urban networks. Access to the Technical Visits is only available for purchase to Knowledge Pass holders.
Building connections that last
The ITS European Congress is as much about people as it is about technology. Throughout the three days, participants can connect in both formal and informal settings, from the Welcome Reception and ITS Dinner to networking lounges within the exhibition. These moments create opportunities to strengthen partnerships, exchange ideas and build the collaborations needed to drive progress forward.
The ITS European Congress 2026 reflects a broader shift in the mobility sector, from vision to deployment. By bringing together stakeholders across disciplines and regions, and combining strategic dialogue with real-world experience, the Congress creates the conditions for meaningful progress.