Long before connected vehicles, cooperative mobility systems, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence became part of ongoing policy discussions, the first editions of the ITS European Congresses and ITS World Congresses in the EMEA region, organised by ERTICO – ITS Europe, provided a constant point of reference in a mobility sector undergoing rapid technological, regulatory and societal transformation.
They were founded on one simple premise: sustainable mobility can only be achieved when technology, policy and implementation evolve in synchronisation.
As ERTICO – ITS Europe celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, it marks the perfect occasion to highlight the origin of the Congresses and ERTICO's legacy in delivering 17 European editions and 11 World Congresses in the EMEA region.
Three decades of facilitating knowledge exchanges, expertise and new mobility solutions
Since the first ITS World Congress held in Paris in 1994 and the inaugural ITS European Congress in Amsterdam in 1999, each edition has evolved alongside Europe’s transport priorities. They reflect the shift from isolated transport modes to integrated systems, from infrastructure-centric approaches to user-centric services, and from analogue operations to data-driven, digital mobility solutions.
Having welcomed hundreds of thousands of participants across Europe, the Middle East and beyond, the Congresses have become one of the world's most established platforms for intelligent transport systems. Over the years, more than 250,000 delegates, thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of speakers, policymakers, researchers and innovators have contributed to the discussions that continue to shape the mobility sector.
A unique gathering where the public and private sectors come together
What has consistently differentiated the ITS Congresses is their ability to bring together the entire spectrum of stakeholders across the mobility and transport ecosystem. Public authorities, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, technology providers, start-ups and mobility operators meet on equal footing to address common challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration. This multi-sector approach reflects ERTICO's founding principle that meaningful progress in mobility can only be achieved when public and private stakeholders work together.
The Congress continues to serve as a trusted environment where policy ambitions are connected with operational realities, enabling discussions that move beyond theory towards implementation. European institutions, national governments, cities and regions contribute perspectives from real-world deployment, while industry and research communities provide the innovation and evidence needed to support future developments. As a result, many of the concepts and solutions now considered integral to modern mobility ecosystems were discussed within the Congress programme years before reaching wider adoption. By providing continuity across policy cycles, European funding programmes and technological waves, the ITS Congresses continue to offer a platform for policy development.
Dr Axel Volkery, Head of Unit Research and Innovation, DG MOVE, European Commission, commented recently:
“These Congresses have been very important in two ways: First, they have helped us understand the needs of the sector when we were in the process of thinking and preparing for the revision of the directive. And now they are, of course, helping us to communicate with the sector on the changes we made and how to implement them."
Reflecting the Evolution of Mobility
Professor Eric Sampson CBE, Senior Programme Advisor and one of the long-standing contributors to the ITS Congresses, has witnessed this evolution first-hand. He comments:
"At first, we concentrated on key technology opportunities and individual achievement reporting, but then the discussions shifted towards the users' perspectives. This marked a turning point as the subsequent dialogues began to highlight the need for better mobility services, complementing the previous emphasis on technologies that made them work."
While the focus has remained on safety assurance throughout the years, perspectives on accessibility, affordability and adaptability have emerged more prominently in recent decades. A greater emphasis on connecting data sources and the implementation of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things, has also become central to many discussions.
Eric continues, "It is not always necessary to have new technologies to produce new services. Think of Rembrandt – he used the same paints and brushes but produced very different pictures with them.”
This evolution reflects a broader trend across the mobility sector. While technologies continue to advance rapidly, successful deployment increasingly depends on governance, interoperability, user acceptance, business models and cross-sector cooperation.
ITS is Evolutionary rather than Revolutionary
The value of the Congresses extends far beyond the events themselves. Over the years, cities have benefited from hosting the Congresses as catalysts for local innovation, accelerating investment, showcasing mobility solutions, and ultimately creating unique opportunities for international collaboration that may not have been possible without the Congresses.
Demonstrations, technical visits and pilot deployments have helped transform discussions about new ideas and innovations into tangible outcomes that continue long after participants return home.
Didier Gorteman, Chief Financial and Operations Officer at ERTICO, has led the ITS Congresses’ organisation for many years. He reflects:
“These events are built on the shared recognition that the transport sector needed a forum to exchange knowledge, address challenges, and accelerate the innovations shaping the future of mobility. By enabling the showcase of its pilots, live demonstrations, and close cooperation with local, regional, and national authorities, each Congress brings a lasting legacy that strengthens a city’s role in Europe’s mobility transition.”
This focus on deployment mirrors ERTICO's broader mission to bridge the gap between research, innovation and implementation. Throughout its 35-year history, ERTICO has remained committed to ensuring that ideas move beyond development stages to deliver tangible benefits for society. This is precisely why the ITS Congresses remain essential to the mobility and transport community.
A recent proof of success in Istanbul 2026
The recent 17th ITS European Congress demonstrated how far the sector has progressed. Under the theme "Bridging Innovation: Integrated, Safe and Seamless Mobility", the Congress brought together thousands of participants, more than 100 technical sessions, a high-level plenary, alongside a new track of co-created sessions, as well as live demonstrations, technical visits and an exhibition focused on real-world deployment and scalable solutions. Access the Facts & Figures report.
The discussions highlighted how mobility innovation is increasingly moving beyond pilots towards implementation at scale, addressing challenges ranging from connected and automated mobility to data sharing, digital infrastructure, sustainability and resilience. Multiple examples presented throughout the Congress confirmed that European ITS delivers tangible impact while supporting the development of solutions to achieve a more accessible, affordable and resilient mobility future aligned with the goals of zero fatalities and zero emissions. At the same time, the scale and complexity of implementation highlighted the need for stronger collaboration, alignment and real-world deployment. Read more about the closing remarks.
Pelin Alpkökin, Deputy Secretary General of IMM, says, "As Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, we were pleased to host the ITS Congress, 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."
Carrying this strong legacy forward
Looking ahead, the 33rd ITS World Congress in Birmingham, UK, from 25–29 October 2027, will continue this journey by bringing together global leaders to explore the next generation of intelligent transport solutions and accelerate their deployment worldwide.
Already recognised as "a global hub for transport innovation", Birmingham and the West Midlands host major programmes in connected and automated mobility, smart infrastructure, and sustainable transport solutions. Richard Parker, West Midlands Mayor, comments:
"We are a global leader in transport innovation with our universities and industries developing autonomous vehicle technology, demand-responsive transport services, last mile logistics and the new very light rail system. The West Midlands is committed to hosting a truly spectacular Congress and looks forward to welcoming the world to Birmingham in 2027."
CEO of ERTICO, Joost Vantomme, echoed this sentiment:
"Bringing the ITS World Congress to Birmingham is a unique opportunity to connect public and private stakeholders across the global transport and mobility ecosystem. As organiser, ERTICO is pleased to collaborate with the United Kingdom in hosting the next edition and creating a platform where transformative technologies, policies and partnerships can come together."
As the mobility sector enters a decisive decade defined by digital transformation, climate action, resilience and new forms of mobility, the challenges are becoming increasingly complex, but so too are the opportunities.
For more than 30 years, the ITS Congresses have provided a trusted platform where innovation, policy and deployment converge. As ERTICO marks 35 years of connecting stakeholders, enabling collaboration and advancing intelligent mobility, the Congresses remain one of its most powerful instruments for turning ideas into action and shaping the future of transport across Europe and beyond.
Join us at the next global gathering, co-organised with ITS Asia-Pacific and ITS America in Gangneung, South Korea: the 32nd ITS World Congress, 19-23 October 2026.