Network of National ITS Associations meets in Norway

Date: 02 May 2007

Semi-annual meeting in Oslo 24-25 April 2007 has special focus on SMEs.

The ERTICO-hosted Network of National ITS Associations met in Oslo, Norway, 24-25 April for its semi-annual meeting which was hosted by ITS Norway. A record number of participants were on hand, with 18 organisations represented. The Network warmly welcomed representatives from its newest members: ITS Arab, ITS Niedersachsen and ITS Spain. It now counts 27 organisations in its membership. 

The first day of the meeting focused on issues regarding small and medium-sized enterprises, a subject dear to the heart of Network members considering their own membership bases. It featured a workshop by Dr Joerg Niehoff of European Commission DG Research who introduced the FP7 opportunities available to SMEs within the DG Research programme. Following a fruitful discussion about the Network’s own possible proposal opportunities, a delightful dinner hosted by ERTICO Partner Q-Free took place that evening.

Network’s Norway news
The general Network meeting was held on Day 2 at Oslo’s Traffic Management Centre. Network Chairman Christer Karlsson of ITS-Sweden thanked ITS Norway for its hospitality and especially welcomed the new faces in attendance. ITS Norway’s Mr Ivar Christiansen gave participants an outline of ITS development in his country.  

Other meeting highlights included the traditional round-the-table update from members about their own happenings. It highlighted the diverse range of activities and issues addressed by each member in its daily work. The Chairman’s report included some information about the Euroregional projects and ITS Congresses, and he also expressed his satisfaction with the cooperative spirit exuded by the members for new common activities such as dissemination and communication. 

ERTICO CEO Arnold van Zyl provided a briefing on ERTICO’s latest activities, including FP7 proposals, as well as highlighted once again the importance of the Network to ERTICO and the ITS community as a whole.

With the Aalborg ITS Congress less than a month away, Network members were encouraged to register quickly for this exciting event. ITS Denmark’s Svend Tofting, chair of the Aalborg Steering Committee, provided the latest Congress news. Several Network members, including those from the Nordic region (Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark) as well as ITS Austria and ITS Switzerland will have stands at the exhibition. The Network also discussed its presence at the Beijing ITS World Congress, where members will be represented at the ERTICO stand.

Before Beijing, the Network will regroup again 24-25 September in Rome, Italy for its next meeting.

For more information, please visit www.itsnetwork.org or contact info@itsnetwork.org

Network members enjoyed a visit to the control room of the Oslo Traffic Management Center during their visit to Oslo for the semi-annual Network of National ITS Associations meeting