From 19 to 21 May, the FIBES Seville Conference and Exhibition Centre brought together key policymakers and stakeholders linked to the transport industry for the highest attended ITS European Congress to date. ERTICO platforms and initiatives and EU-funded projects we are involved in were part of a programme full of innovation and cooperation towards clean, resilient and connected mobility.
A number of projects and platforms were featured in several Special Interest Sessions (SISs) and also contributed to the Technical Papers agenda under this year’s theme ‘Clean, Resilient and Connected Mobility’. In the Exhibition area, the ERTICO stand offered a showcase of ongoing activities, including a real-life vehicle demonstration by the ZEV-UP project that captured the attention of many attendees.
The power of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) & the European Data Space
The Data for Road Safety (DFRS) platform had a strong presence at the Congress. ERTICO CEO Joost Vantomme participated in several sessions, including joint discussions with the European Commission, to explore DFRS’ role in the SRTI delegated Regulation. A key milestone was achieved with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DFRS and Euro NCAP, marking a major step toward integrating real-time road hazard data into vehicle safety ratings under Euro NCAP’s 2026 Safe Driving Vehicle Assistance Protocol.
The ERTICO multi-stakeholder innovation platform TN-ITS, with members representing over 90% of the world’s business in digital maps, also made its mark at the ITS European Congress 2025, combining meaningful contributions with a milestone achievement. A Cooperation Agreement was signed between DATEX II and TN-ITS, marking the next step in their collaboration to unify their systems into a single, streamlined standard for sharing road and traffic data. This builds on the groundwork laid by the 2023 NAPCORE ‘Lisbon Declaration.’ TN-ITS also participated in sessions that highlighted its role in supporting cities as they navigate data management challenges and explored its expanding potential to facilitate areas like cycling infrastructure and innovative transport services. These efforts underscored the platform’s growing influence in shaping the future of transport data exchange. Similarly, implementation sites from the deployEMDS project presented their scope and advancements. The deployEMDS implementation sites share the goal of demonstrating the viability of the data space in real-life scenarios, playing a key role in deploying the European mobility data space.
The IDI platform brought its ambitious vision to the ITS European Congress 2025, presenting its mission to integrate aerial services into the broader framework of urban and regional mobility. At the Smart Mobility Summit of Cities and Regions, IDI co-chair Dr. Vassilis Agouridas led a break-out session on innovative aerial services, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, trust, and adaptability in addressing the unique challenges of this emerging sector. These themes resonated in SIS 12, which was voted the best session at the Congress: the session examined lessons from drone deployments, highlighting real-world applications and insights. The platform’s efforts were also spotlighted at the ITS Arena, where leading companies showcased cutting-edge solutions for aerial mobility. Through these engagements, the IDI platform underscored its role in shaping the future of urban transport by bridging aerial and traditional mobility systems, addressing key areas such as safety, public acceptance, and secure data exchange.
To strengthen the competitiveness of Europe’s automotive sector, the European Commission is prioritising large-scale deployment of CCAM solutions. The IN2CCAM project, in an advanced stage, was featured in several sessions to share key lessons from its real-life pilots across Europe and its simulations integrating CCAM into traffic management. A relevant approach was the project’s technologies and services addressing Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs).
Similarly, the PoDIUM project, coordinated by ERTICO partner ICCS, provided insights from the preparation and demonstration of CCAM solutions in its three Living Labs, highlighting challenges faced and lessons learned to support CCAM large-scale deployment. In other sessions, project partners presented the PoDIUM use cases on VRU protection and emergency response, emphasising the role of real-life traffic interactions and the application of a digital twin in these demonstrations.
EvoRoads, together with the PoDIUM and CulturalRoad projects and representatives from the City of Istanbul, focused on the role of data within the CCAM framework in advancing road safety and supporting the ambitious Vision Zero objective. The session also explored the intersection of data use and social acceptance. Additionally, insights into Istanbul’s Strategic Vision 2050 offered a preview of what the next ITS European Congress might showcase.
In addition, the FRODDO project highlighted its work in advancing adaptable and secure Operational Design Domains (ODDs) for automated vehicles. By leveraging advanced technologies, FRODDO demonstrated how these domains can ensure safe operations across diverse and complex road environments. In a session focused on safety, FRODDO joined forces with ERTICO projects IN2CCAM and PoDIUM to present pilots and Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility (CCAM) use cases that prioritize the safety of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs). These initiatives align closely with the EU’s ambitious Vision Zero goal of eliminating road fatalities by 2050, showcasing how innovative solutions can drive meaningful progress in road safety.
The FAME project contributed to the ongoing dialogue on CCAM deployment in several sessions. It presented its Knowledge Base—a central hub mapping over 60 CCAM initiatives and its European Framework for Testing on Public Roads, as well as the recently published EU-CEM Handbook as a reference for Evaluations and Impact Assessment of CCAM systems, with particular attention to sustainability and equity.
EAVP discussed the current status of Automated Valet Parking adoption since its introduction in the EU. Starting from the user journey—focused on ease of use and integration into broader mobility ecosystems—the session outlined how technical, operational, and regulatory elements are aligning to support AVP deployment. The upcoming APDS v5 standard was highlighted as central to enabling future AVP implementation.
Inclusivity of CCAM services was also highlighted in sessions featuring the CulturalRoad and SINFONICA projects. In a joint session, the two projects explored how to ensure fair, accessible, and equitable automated public transport, addressing requirements from the vehicle, infrastructure, and policy perspective. In technical paper sessions, SINFONICA also presented its research for more inclusive CCAM services, with a particular focus on the needs of people with mobility challenges.
Clean mobility + e-mobility
The ZEV-UP project, coordinated by ERTICO, took central stage at the ERTICO stand in the exhibition hall, where an ultra-compact demonstrator vehicle similar to the future ZEV-UP model was on display. Visitors had the chance to step inside the vehicle, explore its features, and learn more about the innovative technologies that the ZEV-UP vehicle will integrate. In addition to the exhibition, ZEV-UP was well represented in the technical programme, with participation from project partners, including ERTICO partners Beemobs, Ford Otosan, ICOOR, Rhoé, University of Leeds, and VEDECOM, in four sessions. These highlighted the benefits of electric vehicles, in particular ultra-compact Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), and explored ways to support their wide uptake for more sustainable urban mobility.
Achieving zero-emission transport also includes freight and logistics, with electric trucks playing a crucial role in enabling sustainable deliveries. In a session organised by our colleagues Prisca Numbisi and Jean Charles Pandazis, NextETRUCK project partners – including ERTICO partner TNO-, discussed how Digital Twins can support fleet electrification, sharing insights from various stakeholder perspectives.
eBRT2030 seeks to support sustainable urban transport by proposing innovative solutions for electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Lidia Buenavida, Manager at ERTICO, and Innovation Manager at the project, presented the scope, updates and shared insights about the multiple innovations that will be achieved in a joint session with the Zev-Up and SUM projects.
The SUM project was presented by the Fredrikstad Living Lab and engaged in interesting discussions in relation to user’s behavior, customer acceptance and the importance of co-creation activities. Additionally, insights from the project’s business models were shared, with a highlight on the obtained data from Stakeholder interviews.
Resilient mobility
In the context of accessible and resilient mobility, the InclusiveSpaces project brought vital discussions to the forefront of the congress. A technical paper was presented, showcasing assistive crossing technologies and auxiliary communication tools that have significantly improved autonomy and safety for 70% of participants in pilot studies conducted in Athens and Geneva. Inclusivity was also examined from a gender perspective during SIS 43, where project coordinator Floridea Di Ciommo emphasized the importance of addressing intersectionality and human rights when shaping transport systems. Later in the day, SIS 52 delved into the collaborative design of accessibility solutions to overcome physical, economic, and intangible barriers. Participants actively engaged in an interactive exercise to test an innovative recommendation tool, which helps identify and tackle real-world accessibility challenges through lived experiences. Through these contributions, InclusiveSpaces demonstrated its commitment to fostering mobility solutions that leave no one behind.
The PLOTO project, along with ReNEW, FOREMAST, and AUTOFLEX explored the future of waterborne transport, focusing on technology providers, market applications, and early movers. Panellists discussed aligning solutions with market needs, legal requirements, and regulatory hurdles. Attendees learned about compliance, adoption challenges, and the frameworks needed for successful and socially accepted implementation.
City Moonshot was also present at the Congress, contributing actively to the Smart Mobility Summit of Cities and Regions. Lidia Buenavida Peña, who leads this initiative, was a rapporteur for the summit, which fostered dialogue on innovative ITS solutions for cities and regions. City Moonshot was also featured at the ERTICO Stand.
The MaaS Alliance hosted its annual MaaS Summit at the ITS Congress with key voices from the European Commission, national ministries and industry stakeholders. The event featured dynamic panels on Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS), cross-border data integration and user-centric deployment strategies towards the future of integrated mobility services. The Summit reaffirmed the Alliance’s commitment to building an inclusive, open European mobility ecosystem.
EAVP, with ESPORG and EPA, hosted the first Sustainable Parking Management and Mobility Solutions Summit. The event gathered key stakeholders from the parking sector showcasing the key role played by parking across the three main themes of the congress: clean, resilient, and connected mobility. The event covered both Urban parking and Safe and Secure truck parking.
From data integration and automated mobility to inclusive transport solutions and advancements in clean mobility, the ITS European Congress highlighted the collective efforts of policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers toward building more efficient and accessible mobility networks. As the industry looks ahead, the discussions and achievements presented during the Congress serve as a roadmap for addressing current challenges and unlocking new opportunities in sustainable and connected transport.
