ERTICO News: Information is key to intelligent mobility: focus of ERTICO dinner

Date: 26 October 2007

21 November event at the European Parliament stresses intelligent mobility through intelligent information sharing throughout Europe.

Intelligent Transport Systems and Services can provide social benefits while providing new business opportunities: These were the main messages of an ERTICO – ITS Europe co-hosted dinner debate, "Sustainable mobility of people and goods in Europe – the contribution of ITS", held at the European Parliament, 21 November 2007. It was attended by 141 invited guests, including MEPs, representatives of the European Commission and its delegations and the Council, representatives from Member State Permanent Representations in Brussels, over 30 ERTICO Partners and other high-level stakeholders from the industry. The event was co-hosted by MEP Etelka Barsi–Pataky, MEP Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, MEP David Hammerstein, MEP Malcolm Harbour, MEP Dieter-Lebrecht Koch and MEP Anders Wijkman.

The evening was opened by the hosting MEP David Hammerstein, who provided welcome remarks stressing the important contribution of IT and communication technology in addressing the challenges associated with mobility.

ERTICO Chairman Monica Sundström provided a brief background on ERTICO’s role as an organiser of the relevant ITS stakeholders to better facilitate a more coherent European approach to mobility.

Next to speak was European Commission DG TREN Director Fotis Karamitsos, who offered an overview of the role of ITS in supporting the EU’s major transport and energy policy drivers. Mr Karamitsos confirmed that the application of ITS could make mobility safer, cleaner and more efficient.

ERTICO Partner Tele Atlas CEO Alain De Taeye gave the keynote presentation, which discussed business opportunities around traveller information and digital maps. Mr De Taeye stressed the need for public and private cooperation to deliver efficient, complete and timely information to the end user. He highlighted that consumers want more information, less errors and constantly updated information, adding that "in the new era of digital mapping, community input is important".

The evening ended with a lively discussion session moderated by ERTICO CEO Arnold van Zyl. At this time others, including MEP Malcolm Harbour and MEP Satu Hassi expressed their views. There was a general consensus that progressive public sector investment in ITS infrastructure would result in a platform for the deployment of a broad range of location based services.

The event was the second such evening organised by ERTICO in the European Parliament. The first was a networking event held in November 2006 which introduced key decision-makers to ITS and ERTICO’s activities. It plans to hold a follow-up evening in 2008.  

For more information regarding the event, please contact ERTICO Communications Associate Ben Reichert

List of participants:  21 November 2007 EP event participant list.pdf (54 KB)

Monica Sundström speech: Monica Sundstrom ERTICO EP event.pdf (27 KB)

Fotis Karamitsos speech: Fotis Karamitsos ERTICO EP event.pdf (38 KB)

ERTICO CEO Arnold van Zyl and MEP David Hammerstein	Guests enjoyed a fine evening of dinner, presentations and networking	Mr van Zyl introduces MEP Hammerstein
MEP Hammerstein welcomes all and details a very practical use for portable navigation devices - navigating the corridors of Parliament!	ERTICO Chairman Monica Sundström briefs guests on the role of ERTICO and Intelligent Transport Systems and Services	Mr van Zyl, co-hosting MEP Dieter-Lebrecht Koch and Tele Atlas CEO Alain De Taeye
European Commission DG TREN Director Fotis Karamitsos confirms the EC's support for ITS in facilitating intelligent mobility	Mr De Taeye outlines a "connected" and near future where intelligent information is ever more essential	Much of the discussion was on the role public authorities can play in realising a platform for the deployment of ITS
Mr van Zyl ended the evening moderating a lively discussion session	As part of the discussion MEP Malcolm Harbour expressed his views on the future of intelligent mobility and ITS	... while MEP Satu Hassi emphasised the need for environmentally sustainable solutions to mobility