Beyond Emissions
Modern mobility must embrace inclusivity and empower communities.
Mobility is no longer just about moving people and goods, it’s about enabling access, reducing emissions, and creating equitable resilient cities. Across Europe and beyond, cities and regions are taking the lead in transforming transport systems to be cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive. At ERTICO – ITS Europe, we believe that this transformation hinges on empowering regions with the tools, partnerships, and digital infrastructure they need to innovate effectively.
As we progress in an era where digital infrastructure is as essential as physical roads and rails, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) help make this possible by connecting vehicles, infrastructure, and users in real time. But this revolution is only meaningful if it is inclusive accessible and scalable across Europe’s diverse regions.
Regions are the ideal testing grounds for next generation mobility. They allow for agile experimentation and real-world deployment of solutions that can later be scaled up. EU-funded projects such as IN2CCAM, which fosters inclusive automated mobility, and SINFONICA, which ensures vulnerable users have a voice in mobility planning, show how regional pilots can shape national and EU-wide mobility strategies.
Large-scale City Mission projects like the ERTICO-coordinated MetaCCAZE project are also contributing to the cross-fertilisation of citizen-centric business models and innovations to create new sustainable travel options.
Another powerful example is the 3DxVERSE project in Hamburg, where digital twins that integrate real-time sensor data in combination with satellite imagery and AI planners are being used to optimise mobility flows and reduce emissions. When paired with immersive XR tools, the platform also fosters public engagement a critical factor in building trust in new technologies.
Data is another pillar of innovation and through platforms like Data for Road Safety and TM2.0, which enable local governments and private operators to share mobility data in real time, creating predictive traffic models that improve safety and reduce environmental impact.
Just as important as the technology is the collaboration that supports it. Regional authorities, universities, start-ups, and large mobility providers are crucial when it comes to building ecosystems of trust. By scaling these local successes Europe can build a truly integrated and accessible transport network while remaining globally competitive in smart mobility.
The emphasis on region-led innovation is also reflected in the main theme of the 2026 ITS European Congress in Istanbul “Bridging Innovation: Integrated Safe and Seamless Mobility.” The event will highlight the ongoing collaboration between the EU and Türkiye through projects like SUMP Turkey, which ERTICO has supported to bolster new sustainable travel across the country.
The Congress will be held from 27-29 April 2026, offering over 100 expert sessions, more than 400 speakers, live demonstrations, and technical tours.
As of 2 September 2025, the Congress welcomes submissions of papers, sessions and demonstrations that will bring smart mobility closer to the people it serves.