As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to celebrate the successes and progress we’ve achieved and look ahead to the opportunities awaiting us in the new year. In the global scene, 2024 brought a dynamic interplay of technological progress and global hurdles. It stands as a pivotal year for the future of AI, as researchers and industry started to develop the most realistic expectations and policy makers proceeded to the first-ever legal framework on AI which positions Europe to play a leading role globally. Breakthroughs in renewable energy defined pivotal moments while the urgency of addressing climate change grew. Conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion gained prominence across industries. These trends were evident in the global transport sector, a sector that experienced a profound evolution driven by technological innovations, environmental priorities, and changing societal expectations.
Electric mobility experienced unprecedented growth, with significant advancements in EV infrastructure and breakthroughs in battery technology, extending vehicle ranges. Autonomous vehicles made notable strides, harnessing cutting-edge artificial intelligence and sensor systems to boost reliability and safety. Urban mobility solutions embraced smarter, greener practices, integrating features like real-time tracking, seamless digital payment systems, and optimised routing. The logistics and freight sectors embraced greater automation, adopting innovative methods to streamline last-mile delivery operations. Regulatory policies played a pivotal role in steering these advancements, ensuring safe adoption while addressing societal challenges. Throughout the year, ERTICO has actively engaged with these trends, maintaining its dedication to advocacy and thought leadership, particularly in promoting ITS as a critical tool for achieving decarbonisation goals under the taxonomy regulatory framework. It has been a period that marked notable achievements across all our activities, a year of continued commitment aligned with our values: Cooperative, Impactful, Open, Passionate and Visionary.
For ERTICO, 2024 was a year of strategic growth and innovation. It was a year in which ERTICO solidified its position as a leader in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), driving the transformation of global mobility. Through innovative communication tools, strategic engagement, and a continued focus on partnerships, 2024 laid a strong foundation for future advancements. It was a year marked by milestone achievements that showcased the power of collaborative efforts and one that has set the stage for even greater opportunities and growth in the years to come.
With a mission to further strengthen collaborations across the wider mobility landscape in Europe and beyond, the ERTICO partnership kept a leading role in addressing societal transportation challenges, sector-specific trends and challenges, focusing on improved safety, decarbonisation and digitalisation of transport.
ERTICO continues to connect sectors, innovations, technologies and policies, providing concrete added value for our >120 Partners. This involved enhancing dialogue with National ITS organisations to tackle shared challenges. ERTICO remained actively engaged with European Commission expert groups while strengthening collaboration with the Network of ITS associations in Europe, as well as fostering closer ties with ITS America, ITS Asia-Pacific, and other global organisations in the field. On the international scale, ERTICO renewed its collaboration with ITS China and China ITS Industry Alliance and forged partnerships with institutions like TRB (Transportation Research Board in the USA/the National Academy of Sciences, promoting research, innovation, knowledge-sharing, and sustainable mobility solutions across regions.
2024 kicked off with the inauguration of our new offices in Brussels, a relocation marking the beginning of a new chapter in our journey, a new phase of growth reflecting ERTICO’s dedication to creating a space where ideas flourish and partnerships thrive, a hub of innovation, reflecting our ongoing values. With impactful campaigns, targeted initiatives, and a prominent presence at thematic plenaries and global events, in 2024, ERTICO has enhanced its communication strategy and solidified its position as a thought leader in intelligent transport systems (ITS) and sustainable mobility.
Under the leadership of CEO Joost Vantomme, ‘Connecting the Dots’ remained a central theme as we strengthened the Partnership and built new alliances across sectors and continents. In 2024, we welcomed five new Partners, including Latvia Post, Cycling Industry Europe, London Legacy Development Corporation, SALFO, and the City of Seville.
Strengthening advocacy and deepening collaboration with the European Commission has been a key strategic focus for ERTICO throughout the year. Our active engagement in critical areas, including the revised ITS Directive and its accompanying ITS Work Programme 2024-2028, the Commission’s Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM), and notably the European Artificial Intelligence Act, underscores our commitment to these efforts.
In June, the Supervisory Board convened in Brussels for the 34th General Assembly, which introduced a new strategic chapter in the life of our Partnership. I had the honour to be re-elected as Chairman – for a third consecutive year-, and CEO Joost Vantomme’s tenure was extended, reaffirming leadership stability for the next three years.
A Year of Innovation
Our journey in the last year has been one of significant milestones in the field of research and innovation as 12 new projects started bringing the total of the EU-funded projects to a record 34. ERTICO has celebrated significant milestones with the conclusion of flagship projects such as 5G-LOGINNOV, BOOSTLOG, FENIX, STORM, and WeTransform, contributing to data-sharing advancements and earning the prestigious 2023 Innovation Award for Data Sharing and Data Transformation. The successful completion on projects like 5GMETA, PrepDSpace4Mobility, and MODALES advanced 5G applications in CCAM laid the groundwork for the European Mobility Data Space. Building on these achievements, ERTICO continues to explore opportunities in common data spaces, shared mobility systems, 6G security, and inclusive mobility, with new impactful projects already underway.
In September during the world’s largest stage in ITS – the ITS World Congress in Dubai- we were proud to announce the latest addition to ERTICO’s esteemed portfolio of innovation platforms: the Innovation Platform on Innovative Aerial Services (IDI). With a vision to serve as a critical hub for advancing innovation in aerial mobility and promoting the integration of aerial services into the broader mobility landscape, the platform has already received widespread support from the global ITS community. As we move forward, this collaboration will serve as a cornerstone in shaping the future of innovative aerial services for years to come.
Strengthening Ties in Europe and Globally
The 30th ITS World Congress, held in Dubai -the first ITS World Congress hosted in the UAE- marked not only the 30th anniversary of World Congresses but also a historic milestone as one of the most successful organizations. Under the theme “Mobility Driven by ITS” it brought together over 14,700 participants from 78 countries to explore the future of mobility and transportation. By its conclusion, the Congress had not only generated widespread acclaim but had also set a new benchmark for the ITS sector. Looking ahead, preparations for the forthcoming Congresses ITS European Congress Seville (on 19-21 May 2025) and ITS World Congress Atlanta,( 25-29 August 2025), are well underway.
Building Bridges Through Open Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange
Throughout the year, ERTICO maintained its commitment to fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange through active participation in major global events such as Intertraffic Amsterdam, the Mobile World Congress, TRA 2024, and the Smart City World EXPO Congress, among others. Key initiatives included the launch of the ‘Connecting Dots & Talks’ podcast and the ‘Thought Leadership Journeys’ webinar series, enhancing thought leadership and engagement. Additionally, the Annual Activity Development Days (ADDs) provided a platform to align strategic priorities in research and deployment, reinforcing ERTICO’s focus on digital transformation and collaborative innovation. Also, our Partnership demonstrated its thought leadership with impactful initiatives, including articles and interviews on mobility innovation, sustainability, and road safety. A new interview series with European Commission experts explored emerging mobility trends, while the ITS Market Radar Report offered valuable market insights for service providers and the transport industry.
With our eyes on a Sustainable and Resilient Future for Mobility
As we close out the year, I would like to extend a warm thank you to our valued Partners, ERTICO’s CEO and team, the members of the Supervisory Board and Strategy Committee, the Network of ITS Nationals, our policy stakeholders, and all the friends of the mobility innovation community. Your unwavering support and collaboration have been pivotal in achieving the remarkable milestones of this year.
I am particularly grateful to the entire team and our Partners for their hard work and outstanding achievements. Together, we’ve made significant strides in advancing the future of mobility.
In 2024, ERTICO solidified its position as a leader in ITS, using innovative communication tools and strategic engagement to drive global mobility transformation. These accomplishments lay a strong foundation for continued growth and partnership in 2025 and beyond. As we look ahead, we eagerly anticipate further collaboration with our Partners, standing on the brink of new opportunities and exciting prospects. Strengthening our global network across sectors and continents will help us continue to build a culture of collaboration and reach new heights together.
Here’s to a bright future, full of promise and achievement!
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year filled with success, happiness, and fulfilment. ERTICO Chairman, Dr. Angelos Amditis
