150x150.png)
The fourth day of the ITS World Congress in Gangneung promises a programme rich in practical insight, international collaboration and forward-looking discussion, with a particular emphasis on the technologies, policies and partnerships shaping the future of intelligent mobility. Under the Congress theme, Beyond Mobility, Connected World, delegates will once again have a wealth of technical sessions, exhibition activity and networking opportunities from which to choose, but Thursday's agenda is especially focused on turning innovation into deployment and ensuring that intelligent transport solutions can be delivered at scale across increasingly complex transport environments.
Across the Congress venue, discussion is expected to centre on many of the subjects currently dominating transport agendas worldwide. Connected and automated mobility remains a major priority, alongside digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data-driven traffic management, electrification and the integration of emerging technologies into existing networks. Rather than presenting these as isolated innovations, many of the sessions scheduled throughout the day will examine the challenge of bringing them together within cohesive transport ecosystems capable of delivering tangible benefits for operators, authorities and road users alike.
Artificial intelligence continues to attract considerable attention throughout the global transport sector and will feature prominently in a number of technical discussions taking place during the day. Interest is increasingly moving beyond the headline possibilities of AI and towards its practical application in network management, predictive operations, safety enhancement and operational efficiency. Transport authorities around the world are seeking clearer understanding of how these capabilities can improve decision-making while maintaining transparency, accountability and public confidence. Those questions are likely to provide some of the most engaging discussions during Thursday's programme.
Data management and interoperability also remain at the heart of the Congress agenda. As transport systems become more connected, the ability to share information across vehicles, infrastructure and management platforms has become essential. Standards, data governance and seamless communication between systems are no longer specialist concerns confined to engineers. They have become critical enabling factors for the next generation of mobility services, making many of the Congress discussions particularly relevant to public authorities and policymakers as well as technology providers.
Among the strongest European contributions to Thursday's programme will be the continuing activities of ERTICO, which has played a central role in developing the Congress programme alongside ITS Asia-Pacific and ITS America. Throughout the event, ERTICO has brought together stakeholders from industry, government, research and academia to explore common approaches to transport challenges and encourage greater international collaboration. The organisation's presence reflects its long-standing position as one of the most influential convening bodies within the intelligent transport community.
Delegates with a particular interest in European perspectives should make time to visit the UK and ERTICO ITS Europe Pavilion, which continues to serve as one of the key meeting points within the exhibition. Located at Stand P17, the pavilion brings together a diverse collection of organisations representing expertise in connected mobility, traffic operations, digital infrastructure, research, innovation and transport policy. It provides an opportunity not only to view technologies and services but also to engage directly with the teams responsible for their development and implementation.
Thursday's activities at the pavilion include a UK Drinks Reception scheduled for 14:30, offering delegates the chance to connect with industry leaders, policymakers and innovators from across the British transport sector. Networking events often provide some of the most valuable interactions at an international congress, creating opportunities for collaboration that can ultimately shape projects and partnerships long after the exhibition halls have emptied. Later in the day, ERTICO will host its Three Region Cocktail Reception at 17:30, bringing together representatives from Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas in an environment designed to encourage dialogue between regions and foster new international relationships.
Visitors to the pavilion will also encounter a strong UK contingent showcasing expertise across multiple aspects of intelligent transport systems. Organisations including ITS UK, Zenzic, AGD Systems, Q-Free, Podaris, Connected Places Catapult, Transport for West Midlands, the Department for Transport, the Local Council Roads Innovation Group and the Transport Technology Forum are represented, creating a comprehensive snapshot of British capability within the sector.
Zenzic's presence will be of particular interest to those following developments in connected and automated mobility. The organisation continues to play a central role in supporting the UK's ambitions in this field, helping bridge the gap between research, testing and future deployment. AGD Systems brings expertise in intelligent detection and smart junction technology, while Podaris offers innovative approaches to transport planning and modelling that are becoming increasingly important as cities seek to understand the impact of future mobility interventions before committing major investment.
Q-Free's contribution reflects the growing importance of integrated traffic management and digital road operations. With authorities worldwide searching for more efficient ways to manage congestion, improve journey reliability and support network resilience, solutions in this area continue to attract considerable interest from both public and private sector audiences.
One particularly interesting aspect of the pavilion is the presence of the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium. Representatives will be highlighting the importance of standardisation, conformance and interoperability within connected mobility systems. These subjects may lack the glamour associated with autonomous vehicles or artificial intelligence, yet many industry leaders regard them as fundamental prerequisites for widespread connected vehicle deployment. Without agreement on standards and reliable communication frameworks, the full potential of cooperative intelligent transport systems will remain difficult to achieve.
Beyond the conference sessions and exhibition stands, Thursday also offers delegates an opportunity to engage with the broader international ITS community. The Congress brings together transport authorities, researchers, manufacturers, software developers, infrastructure operators and policymakers from around the world. Conversations taking place in meeting rooms, exhibition spaces and networking events frequently prove just as influential as the formal programme itself.
For delegates moving through Gangneung's extensive exhibition halls, the scale of technological innovation on display remains impressive. Demonstrations covering connected vehicles, automated transport, digital infrastructure, mobility platforms, advanced analytics and smart city applications provide practical examples of how emerging technologies are being applied in real-world environments. The exhibition complements the technical programme by allowing visitors to see many of the solutions under discussion operating in a tangible setting.
Thursday's agenda ultimately offers something for every part of the intelligent transport community. Whether the focus is policy, operations, technology, research or investment, the day's programme provides multiple opportunities to explore how smarter, safer and more connected transport networks can be achieved. For British delegates in particular, the UK and ERTICO Pavilion is likely to remain one of the most valuable destinations, combining thought leadership, innovation and international engagement under one roof while showcasing the breadth of expertise that continues to emerge from the UK transport technology sector.
Click the buttons below to see more articles:
See all ArticlesIndustry InsightEventsITS Thought LeadershipITS Educational