The yearly ITS Congresses offer the ultimate showcase for the development and deployment of mobility services. These events are some of the most significant gatherings for the global ITS community. They invite all stakeholders to be part of the industry’s rapid evolution, learn more about the latest innovations in action, and meet the key players in one location. The 2023 ITS European Congress in Lisbon is no exception!
“ITS innovators, thought leaders and change-makers will gather to shape the future of smart and sustainable mobility in Europe and beyond. The Congress is where we come together under one roof to share ideas, celebrate milestones, and plan for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Lisbon is the ideal setting: a multi-modal city with a reputation for new mobility services, and for connected and automated mobility,” comments Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe.
- Over 60 countries represented
- 2,500 expected attendees
- 100+ sessions in the Technical Programme
- 40+ cities and regions represented
- 3,500 m2 of exhibition space
The most prominent ITS event: entirely dedicated to mobility
In Lisbon, we will be welcoming prestigious speakers from the ITS community, including Herald Ruijters, Director & Acting Deputy Director-General, DG MOVE, European Commission, and the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, will both be presenting at the official Opening of the Congress on Monday 22 May at 16:30. During this prestigious introduction of the event, we will welcome Esko Valtaoja, a Finnish scientist & astronomer, as our inspirational speaker at the event.
A technical programme that showcases future mobility today
Technical presentations and Special Interest Sessions (SIS) reflect the latest developments in Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM), Transport & Logistics, Clean & Eco-Mobility, and Urban Mobility – exploring new mobility services in multiple ways.
CCAM topics include combining space-based technologies with terrestrial communications to improve services, the importance of testing, validating and certifying safety performance, and how CCAM supports moves towards climate neutrality. Lisbon will also feature in-depth freight and logistics sessions, such as encouraging intermodal freight, electronic freight information to speed up movements, future research priorities, and how ITS for freight played a role in the war in Ukraine.
Digitalisation and data value chain discussions will include the steps being taken towards a common European Mobility Data Space, the Data for Road Safety Initiative, and quality assessment of multimodal ITS services and data. In future traffic management, you can hear about using traffic data to power traffic management across Europe, using technology to protect vulnerable road users, making mobility more user-centric, and reskilling the workforce to support future mobility services.
Adding yet another dimension to the technical programme, the new Strategic Future Sessions (SFS) take a forward-looking ‘blue-sky’ approach to the opportunities and challenges ahead, and make the case for launching new ITS initiatives. These five sessions – selected in the face of touch competition – cover areas ranging from the problems in developing a Europe-wide connected ITS service, to connecting the governance of low-level air traffic like drones to ground traffic management.
Meet remarkable speakers in the high-level programme
During the Congress, you can hear from a wide range of industry speakers and acknowledged experts from the broader ITS community. For example, the Plenary sessions in the High-Level Programme will bring together top-notch panellists and keynote speakers from different sectors, industry groups and specialisms to explore cross-domain topics, the latest breakthroughs, and barriers to change. We will shine new light on complex topics including:
- Digitalisation – what can mobility users expect?
- Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility: how green can you go?
- Integrating road, rail, air and waterborne – multimodality by any means?
- Managing urban mobility space – what can we expect from cities in the future?
Connecting the dots with Cities and Regions
The Smart Mobility Summit of Cities and Regions will be a highlight at the Congress on Monday, 22 May. It aims to further support the work of local and regional authorities in driving innovation and implementing smart and sustainable mobility solutions for public benefit. The agenda focuses on themed table discussions, with moderators ensuring key ideas and learnings are captured and shared at a summary plenary session. The European Commission will also discuss the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) agenda and EC funding of such initiatives. Participation is on invitation only, and we welcome expressions of interest from cities and regions interested in participating via speakersITS@mail.ertico.com.
A unique exhibition hall and demonstrations on smart mobility
At the Lisbon Conference Centre, we will welcome you to a unique exhibition hall and demonstration that will accelerate your knowledge about cutting-edge technologies contributing to a more sustainable, smarter and cleaner mobility ecosystem. Moreover, we are pleased to announce that the Congress exhibition hall is now fully booked. Moreover, we are pleased to announce that the Congress exhibition hall is now fully booked, showcasing smart mobility from around the world.
Tap into unparalleled networking opportunities
The European Congress is all about meeting the right people, in the right place, at the right time. In addition to the lively sessions, innovative exhibitors and many other side events which you decide to attend, you never know who you might be introduced to or sit next to, or why not socialising with. This Congress is specifically designed to promote networking opportunities – it iswhere the ITS community meets.
In terms of social events, an informal Exhibition Reception on Monday, 22 May, from 17:30 to 19:00, and all registered attendees are welcome. The ITS Dinner planned for Tuesday, 23 May at 19.30 will take place at the SUD Lisboa Hall: an unmissable highlight set in a unique venue a short walk from CCL overlooking the Tagus River. The networking reception is followed by dinner, entertainment and dancing. Tickets are only available for full Congress pass holders and exhibitors.
An open invitation to the local community
On the last day, Wednesday, 24 May, from 08:30 to 17:00, we will keep the doors open for the Public Day and invite the local community to experience the state-of-the-art exhibition. On this day, the Congress will offer an exclusive opportunity for learning and engaging in the latest innovations and technologies around the theme of smart mobility. From 3D mapping to smart traffic management systems to artificially intelligent systems, the exhibitions cover an array of exciting mobility topics for the local community to discover and explore.
ITS European Congress 2023: Be part of it
The Congress is proudly organised by ERTICO-ITS Europe and the European Commission, hosted by Lisbon and ITS Portugal, and supported by Turismo de Lisboa and Turismo de Portugal. Learn more about the ITS European Congress. You can register here and sign up for the Congress newsletter here.
