The 31st ITS World Congress in Atlanta last week hosted up to 6,000 attendees from more than 60 countries. The European delegation may have been smaller in numbers this year, but its impact was significant. ERTICO and its Partners were prominent across the programme, from high-level plenaries and technical sessions to the exhibition floor, reinforcing Europe’s leading role in driving innovation and collaboration in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
The Congress theme, ‘Deploying Today, Empowering Tomorrow’ was visible not only in the session rooms but also on the streets of Atlanta, where robo-taxis and V2X interaction between road infrastructure and vehicles were deployed. The buzz was palpable as everyone eagerly tried to book a Waymo ride via the Uber app. This was a reminder of how fast innovation is moving from concept to deployment.
Addressing key issues on the global agenda
Across sessions, five key issues consistently rose to the top of the agenda: safety, accessibility, data, interoperability, and collaboration. Safety remains the foundation, with road fatalities a pressing concern worldwide. Accessibility is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage, with inclusivity becoming a design priority. Data, as both an enabler and a risk, highlighted the need to balance innovation with robust cybersecurity and privacy protections. Interoperability was described as a true game-changer for ITS. And underpinning everything was a strong call for global collaboration: no region can solve these challenges alone.
ERTICO’s contributions
ERTICO colleagues played a central role in advancing these conversations. Sessions ranged from AI in Action: Enhancing Public Transit and Urban Infrastructure, Collaborative Strategies for Enhancing ITS, to Global Data Sharing, National Security Protection and Fair Mobility as a Service, Space Technologies for PNT in Road Mobility, Cybersecurity for ITS and Equity Perspectives on Road Safety.
Other highlights included a dedicated dialogue with AASHTO on the role and opportunities for ITS and the road managers with several presentations from the ERTICO leadership, debates on CCAM deployment across Europe, Canada, the U.S., Japan, Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region, perspectives on road safety equity, and the future of automated valet parking, space-based technologies for road mobility, and business models for automation. Collectively, these contributions fostered both technical innovation and policy dialogue.
Beyond the sessions, the ERTICO Partner tour on the exhibition floor was a great success. Carefully planned and executed, it facilitated meaningful exchanges and highlighted the strength of our partnerships across the ITS ecosystem. In Atlanta, the message was clear: ITS is no longer about distant possibilities. It is about deploying today’s solutions in ways that empower tomorrow’s societies. We were pleased to see various technical tours and demonstrations, among which the ERTICO Partner INDRA showcased advancements in connected vehicles technology through a live demo of their integrated dual-use connected vehicles technology for tolling (V2X Toll) and safety (3D-LIDAR + V2X).
European expertise across the Plenaries
The plenary sessions further underscored Europe’s contribution to the global mobility dialogue. Gonzalo Alcaraz, Acting Director General of the International Road Federation in Geneva, explored how connected and automated technologies can create a safer future. Kristian Hedberg, Minister Counsellor for Mobility and Transport at the Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America, addressed the importance of secure and interoperable ITS for global growth. Dr Angelos Amditis, ERTICO Chairman and R&D Director at ICCS, shared insights on building more resilient transport systems through AI and emerging technologies. Together, these plenary discussions highlighted how European leadership is shaping the future of safe, secure, and resilient mobility worldwide.
CEO Joost Vantomme took part in an International Forum on data sharing and national security protection. He also widely voiced the European work and progress on ITS and sustainable transport and mobility, in synch with the European Commission. In his capacity as Vice President of the MaaS Alliance, he co-moderated a dedicated session around the globe on MOD/MaaS.
The Congress also celebrated the ITS Hall of Fame winners from the European region, recognising excellence and leadership. The Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mr. Robert Sykora, representative also for Ohmio, ERTICO partner. The Local Government Award went to the City of Tampere, Finland, an ERTICO Partner. The Industry Award was given to Yunex Traffic, Germany, also an ERTICO Partner. These awards highlight Europe’s continued global leadership and innovation across governance, industry, and individual dedication.
Global collaboration and networking
In addition to the core programme, the week was enriched by a series of key gatherings that provided a strong platform for international dialogue. Among them were the AASHTO International Day, the ITS Summit, and the 16th International ITS Associations meeting, all of which were complemented by numerous networking opportunities and receptions. These events reinforced the global spirit of collaboration that defines the ITS community and gave participants the chance to exchange experiences and explore new partnerships.
A joint showcase of UK & ERTICO ITS - European Pavilion
A major success of the exhibition was the UK – ERTICO ITS – European Pavilion, where more than nine companies united under one umbrella to showcase European excellence. Visitors also had the opportunity to meet the hosts of the upcoming ITS Congresses. The ITS European Congress 2026, hosted by İSBAK and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and the ITS World Congress 2027, hosted by Transport for West Midlands, offered the first glimpse into what awaits at these upcoming landmark events. Both hosts presented opportunities for partnership and exhibition that are now open to interested stakeholders.
The ITS World Congress in Atlanta highlighted how far intelligent transport has come and how quickly it continues to evolve. For ERTICO and its Partners, the week was not only about showcasing European innovation but also about strengthening global collaboration, celebrating achievements, and looking ahead to the exciting opportunities that await in Istanbul in 2026 and Birmingham in 2027. Europe’s leadership in ITS is firmly established, and its commitment to delivering smarter, safer, and more sustainable mobility remains stronger than ever.
Download the Partnership & Exhibition Brochures for the upcoming Congresses:
ITS European Congress, Istanbul
ITS World Congress, Birmingham