ERTICO – ITS Europe is proud to announce the opening of the Call for Contributions for the 16th ITS European Congress in Istanbul, 27 - 29 April 2026.
As part of its mission to drive sustainable, connected, and inclusive mobility, ERTICO leverages the Congress platform to translate Europe’s transport policies into action and foster collaboration across sectors. The Congress is more than an event: it is a catalyst for deployment, bridging innovation and real-world implementation across Europe and beyond.
We invite researchers, industry leaders, transport and mobility professionals, and public and private sector experts from Europe and beyond to send submissions for the technical programme.
The ITS Congresses, feature one of the most comprehensive and high-quality programmes in the sector, addressing the latest advances in technology, policy, business models and social environmental aspects of Intelligent Transport Systems. This reflects ERTICO’s convening role as a catalyst, uniting stakeholders to accelerate innovation and ensure Europe remains at the forefront of intelligent transport.
The theme of the ITS European Congress 2026, Bridging Innovation: Integrated, Safe and Seamless Mobility, will be brought to life through four carefully defined topics. These topics form the foundation of the programme and reflect the key areas where mobility systems in Europe and beyond are being shaped, challenged, and reimagined.
Each topic was selected by the European Programme Committee (EPC) for its relevance to current trends, policy objectives, and technological developments. These areas offer direction for the discussions and insights that will unfold in Istanbul. They also reflect the EU’s Sustainable & Smart Mobility Strategy and Green Deal ambitions to achieve a 90% reduction in transport emissions and create a more resilient, digitalised mobility system. By convening stakeholders around these policy priorities, ERTICO ensures the Congress is not only a forum for dialogue but also a driver of tangible progress.
The four topics resonate deeply with Istanbul’s own priorities—from managing complex multimodal networks and securing transport systems, to rethinking urban logistics and integrating non-road modes into a connected landscape. Hosting the ITS European Congress gives us the opportunity to contribute real-world experience and learn from others shaping the future of mobility across Europe and beyond. — Pelin Alpkökin, Deputy Secretary General, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
The ITS European Congress 2026 is not just a showcase of emerging technologies. It’s a forum for asking better questions, testing ideas, and forming partnerships that move innovation from concept to implementation.
For ERTICO, it is also one step in a continuous journey to shape Europe’s mobility landscape, linking research, innovation, and deployment to long-term climate and digital goals.
How to get involved:
The Call for Contributions is open now, and we invite innovators, city leaders, academics and industry to submit proposals and share their experiences.