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As we prepare to come together at the ITS European Congress in Istanbul, I am struck by how far the UK’s intelligent transport sector has progressed and how clearly our direction of travel is now defined.
For ITS UK, this Congress is not simply another international gathering. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how British innovation, collaboration and leadership are helping to shape the future of transport across Europe and beyond. More importantly, it is a moment to show how intelligent transport systems are moving decisively from pilot projects and rhetoric into real-world delivery with measurable outcomes.
One of the most important shifts we have made as an organisation is moving beyond advocating for technology in isolation. Today, our focus is firmly on outcomes, such as cleaner journeys, safer roads, better data and transport systems that work for everyone.
Under the guidance of our Board and through extensive engagement with our members, we have crystallised our work around four strategic priorities:
These priorities will underpin everything we showcase in Istanbul, because they reflect not only what the UK is capable of, but what Europe urgently needs.
Transport remains one of the toughest sectors to decarbonise and while electrification is essential, it is not sufficient on its own. What excites me most is how intelligent transport systems are already delivering carbon reductions today by making better use of the infrastructure we have.
Through initiatives such as Greener Journeys, our members are demonstrating how AI-enabled traffic management, public transport signal priority and the integration of micro-mobility can significantly cut congestion and emissions while improving the passenger experience.
In Istanbul, UK-led case studies from Future Transport Zones will show how real-time data can actively influence travel choices, not through coercion, but by empowering people with better information at the right time.
Data is the foundation of modern mobility. Yet too often it remains fragmented, inaccessible, or underused. That is why our work with the Department for Transport on a National Access Point and our strong advocacy for Digital Traffic Regulation Orders (D-TROs) is such a critical part of the UK’s story.
Turning road regulations into trusted, standardised digital assets creates a live digital representation of the road network. This is not an abstract ambition, it is a prerequisite for safer roads, better service planning and the responsible deployment of connected and automated vehicles.
I firmly believe this is an area where the UK can lead by example and we will be making that case clearly in Istanbul.
The introduction of the Automated Vehicles Bill marks a turning point for the UK. It signals our move from experimentation to scaled deployment, giving industry the confidence and clarity it needs to invest and deliver. Through our CAM Forum, we are bringing together vehicle developers, infrastructure providers, insurers and policymakers to ensure this transition is safe, commercially viable and socially acceptable. Technologies such as remote operations, where the UK already has a strong competitive position, will feature prominently in our Congress presence.
None of this progress is possible without talented people. Like much of Europe, we face a significant skills challenge, but also a huge opportunity. Our Early Careers Forum is designed to attract diverse new talent by connecting technical innovation with social purpose: saving lives, reducing emissions and improving everyday mobility. Participation in the Congress’s youth and student initiatives will help forge international links that strengthen the sector for the long term.
Technology only succeeds when it is intuitive and inclusive. That is why our approach to Mobility as a Service now centres on interoperability rather than monolithic platforms.
By advocating open standards and seamless integration (from rural buses to national rail), we are focused on journeys, not apps. Lessons from the evolution of contactless payments and integrated ticketing in the UK demonstrate that the most impactful innovation is often the least visible to the user.
The UK’s commitment to Vision Zero remains unwavering. Advances in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication show real promise in preventing collisions by giving drivers, vehicles and infrastructure a shared awareness of risk.
By embedding safety into system design rather than relying solely on individual behaviour, intelligent transport systems can help deliver roads where fatalities and serious injuries are no longer accepted as inevitable.
As we head to Istanbul, my message is a simple one: the challenges we face, climate change, urbanisation, safety, are collective and so must be the solutions.
The UK delegation will represent a vibrant ecosystem of SMEs, researchers and global integrators, united by a belief that intelligent transport can deliver a cleaner, fairer and more efficient future. The Congress is our opportunity to demonstrate that the UK is not merely contributing to Europe’s mobility transformation, we are helping to lead it.
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