ERTICO experts recently participated in a SUMP Türkiye project webinar, providing valuable insights on the latest advancements in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for urban environments, along with emerging trends shaping the future of transportation. The webinar also featured a spotlight on the eBRT2030 project, showcasing a real-world example of how technology can pave the way for a more sustainable future for our cities.
The SUMP Türkiye is a three-year project co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Türkiye. The project supports policy dialogue on sustainable urban mobility among national and Turkish stakeholders. It also aims to build the capacities of Turkish municipalities in sustainable urban mobility and related issues, considering EU principles and best practices.
This webinar was the last of three, organised by the ERTICO Academy supporting Rupprecht Consulting. Presentations were from the ERTICO team, partners and invited. Each webinar attracted 70 to 80 participants from Municipalities across Türkiye. The Municipalities also had the opportunity to further their understanding by asking questions from the speakers, translated by the local team supporting the webinars.
ITS: the key to unlocking public transport
John Paddington, ERTICO Innovation and Deployment Senior Manager participated in the workshop, where he explored how technologies can enhance public transport. His presentation featured examples from ERTICO partners, including satellite-based tracking systems (GPS), 5G for precise location, and sensors for monitoring vehicles. Fleet management systems offer real-time tracking, driver communication, and maintenance management, while driver telematics improves safety and efficiency by monitoring speed, fuel consumption, and behaviour. John also discussed how smart charging technologies reduce peak power demands for electric bus depots, and how scheduling tools help in creating routes and timetables.
Passenger information and ticketing systems also play a vital role. Google’s and CEN standards enhance journey planning by sharing information about public transportation schedules and ensuring interoperability of information travel services, respectively, while open data practices and real-time updates improve service efficiency. Ticketing options include contactless payments, fare gates, and portable machines. Additionally, technologies like bus cameras and bus priority systems improve safety, security, and travel times.
Shaping the future of urban mobility: Key trends
Vlad Vorotovic, ERTICO Director of Strategy and Innovation, joined the webinar to discuss emerging trends in road transport. A significant trend is connected vehicles and smart infrastructure. Mr Vorotovic highlighted Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication using DSRC and 5G for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure interactions. He also covered Smart Infrastructure, which integrates sensors and IoT devices for real-time traffic management and route optimisation.
Automation is another key topic, with advancements in self-driving buses and shuttles driven by AI and machine learning. Urban Air Mobility is also on the rise, with developments in passenger drones for reducing congestion and delivery drones for urban logistics, showcased by Amazon Prime Air and UPS Flight Forward. The innovations in Advanced Air Mobility will be featured at the ITS World Congress in Dubai.
Mr Vorotovic also focused on the electrification of public transport, emphasising the adoption of electric buses and trains to lower emissions and operational costs. He discussed advancements in charging infrastructure for fast-charging and wireless technologies and the role of Government policies in supporting electrification. As an example, he presented the ERTICO project SOLUTIONSplus, a Horizon 2020 initiative promoting sustainable electrification in large urban areas. The project offers a free online course series on Urban Electric Mobility Solutions, with the 4th course focusing on the electrification of paratransit services available here.
eBRT2030: Transforming Bus Rapid Transit for sustainable urban transport
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) integrates advanced traffic management technologies and dedicated lanes to optimise bus travel times and efficiency. This system enhances public transport by reducing congestion, improving reliability, and offering a faster, more efficient alternative to traditional bus services. Lidia Buenavida Peña, Innovation and Deployment Manager at ERTICO presented the EU-funded project eBRT2030. This ERTICO project strongly supports sustainable urban mobility by creating a new generation of advanced full electric, urban and peri-urban European BRT with novel automation and connectivity functionalities.
The project introduces several innovations for enhancing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Predictive Maintenance uses big data to foresee issues with electric bus components, extending battery lifespan and reducing costs. Advanced Driver Assistance features like traffic light prioritisation and zone management improve safety and efficiency. Digital Twin Technology creates a virtual model of the BRT system for operator support, autonomous navigation, and component testing. Smart Energy Management optimises energy and thermal control for better battery range and passenger comfort.
Charging infrastructure innovations include Bi-Directional Charging for grid stabilization, Hybrid Charging Systems combining grid connections with battery storage, In-Motion Charging via overhead lines, and High-Power Charging for future high-capacity batteries. Automation and connectivity are advanced through an IoT Monitoring Platform for real-time management, Smart Charging Management for efficient energy use, and Adaptive Fleet Scheduling for optimal planning, punctuality, and emissions reduction.
The SUMP Türkiye webinar demonstrated vital tools and strategies for developing effective transport measures and achieving policy objectives. A central focus was leveraging city infrastructure and data to develop, monitor, assess, and evaluate SUMPs. By integrating advanced technologies and innovative approaches, cities can create more efficient, sustainable, and resilient transportation systems. As we move forward, these insights and tools will be crucial for advancing urban mobility initiatives, improving public transport services, and meeting the evolving demands of urban environments.
Finally, co-creation with public transport users is crucial. Engaging them through workshops facilitates direct feedback, ensuring that new technologies and systems are designed to meet their needs. This approach not only enhances user experience but also prevents the implementation of solutions that might not be suitable.
