A key resolution for 2019 for ERTICO is to continue build its growing presence in the international arena. ERTICO’s CEO Jacob Bangsgaard kicked off the year in the United States presenting ERTICO’s projects and activities at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019 in Las Vegas through to the Transport Research Board (TRB) in Washington D.C.
This year, CES focused on connectivity, automation and new technologies, such as the passenger drone, confirming that ERTICO is on the right track and at the forefront of innovation when it comes to smart mobility and keeps up with mobility developments internationally.
“Europe is certainly leading when it comes to developments in smart mobility, not only from a technological point of view, but also from a policy one”, said Mr. Bangsgaard. “There are areas in which Europe is clearly a leader for mobility, such as urban mobility, connectivity and standardisation. As ITS Europe, ERTICO has evolved into a strong Partnership and has developed expertise in various areas, which can inspire other countries and ITS associations”. Mr. Bangsgaard referred in particular to 5G corridor testing, automation in pilot sites, platooning and multi-brand platooning, electrification and C-ITS.
In Washington D.C., Mr. Bangsgaard participated in the Transport Research Board (TRB). This year, TRB was attended by more than 13,000 transport professionals from around the world as well as ERTICO Partners. This event addressed topics of interest for policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of government, industry, and academic institutions, and was attended by many big names of the transport and technology field.
At this occasion, Mr. Bangsgaard presented ERTICO’s activities for Connected and Automated Driving (CAD), in particular ARCADE, CONCORDA, ICT 4CART and the new project 5G MOBIX. Sharing with ERTICO’s American counterparts the developments and results of European projects and platforms, as well as ERTICO’s roadmaps for the correct implementation of CAD, represents a great benefit not only for Partners and associations working on ITS in Europe, but also overseas. ERTICO teamed up with the European Commission, also present at TRB, to showcase Europe’s technical and policy developments.
“ERTICO’s work on urban mobility, with the MaaS Alliance, and knowledge at policy level, especially when it comes to automation, can surely benefit our American Partners and help deploy and expand new mobility services in the market, in the framework of the alliance we established during the 25th ITS World Congress in Copenhagen”.
ERTICO’s last stop was the World Bank, where Mr. Bangsgaard was invited to share ERTICO’s knowledge on transport and to help understand how this international organisation can best address investment to improve mobility in Europe and overseas.
“Providing guidance on the best ways to deploy mobility has proven to be very useful and necessary. ERTICO is providing, in the future, training on smart mobility to European public authorities through the ERTICO Academy, while at the moment is sharing knowledge on ITS thanks to project CAPITAL. The fact that international organisations such as the World Bank are also seeking guidance on smart mobility shows how this is an important element for the development of our cities and societies”, said Mr. Bangsgaard.
These visits to the United States confirmed how international collaboration across continents is important. “We all try to overcome the same issues, but if we work together, we can achieve great results” said Mr. Bangsgaard. “It is therefore very important to strengthen international cooperation in the future. Our ITS Congress is a great occasion for experts to come together and work on common issues related to mobility. We look forward to see what this year’s ITS Congresses in Eindhoven and Singapore will bring”.
