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In just a few days (27-29 April 2026), the global intelligent transport community will converge on Istanbul for the 2026 ITS European Congress, a city where continents meet, ideas collide and mobility innovation feels entirely at home. As Official Media Partner for this year’s Congress, ITS Now will be reporting daily on the announcements, debates, technologies and sector-shaping conversations that will define Europe’s ITS agenda for the year ahead.
This year’s Congress arrives at a pivotal moment. Across Europe, transport authorities, technology providers, city leaders and operators are grappling with the same urgent questions:
Istanbul is a city that has reinvented its transport systems repeatedly over the past decade and offers a fitting backdrop for these discussions. Its blend of historic complexity and modern ambition mirrors the challenges facing Europe’s mobility sector. The Congress will bring these themes into sharp focus and ITS Now will be capturing the stories that matter.
The latest edition of ITS Edge Magazine, available now at ITSEdge.org, sets the tone for the week ahead. In his welcome message, ERTICO CEO Joost Vantomme invites delegates to Istanbul with a clear message: This Congress is not simply a showcase of technology, but a platform for leadership, collaboration and strategic direction.
That framing resonates strongly with the sector’s current trajectory. Over the past year, Europe has seen:
The 2026 Congress is not just another entry in the ITS calendar. It lands at a moment when Europe’s mobility sector is undergoing a structural shift, from experimentation to implementation, from pilots to platforms, from isolated innovation to integrated systems.
Three forces make this Congress particularly significant:
1. The acceleration of digital infrastructure
Cities and regions across Europe are moving beyond proofs of concept and into real-world deployment of C-ITS, digital traffic management and multimodal data platforms. Istanbul will showcase what “scaled digital mobility” looks like and what barriers still need to be overcome.
2. The rise of AI-enabled mobility
AI is no longer a future concept in transport, it is already shaping operations, maintenance, planning and customer experience. The Congress will explore how AI can be deployed responsibly, transparently and effectively.
3. The countdown to the 2027 ITS World Congress in Birmingham
For the UK ITS sector, Istanbul marks the beginning of a crucial 18-month window. With Birmingham hosting the 2027 World Congress, international attention is already turning toward the UK. Istanbul will be a key moment for UK organisations to demonstrate capability, forge partnerships and build momentum.
ITS Now will be highlighting UK contributions throughout the week, ensuring that the sector’s strengths are visible to the global audience gathering in Istanbul.
As Official Media Partner, ITS Now will be providing daily reports, capturing the energy, insights and announcements from across the Congress. Whether you’re attending in person or following from home, our goal is simple: to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Whether you’re in Istanbul or at home, be HERE, at ITS Now.
While the Congress programme is rich and varied, several themes are already emerging as likely focal points for the week.
Digital Traffic Management and Network Resilience
With climate impacts, congestion and modal complexity increasing, cities are looking for smarter, more adaptive ways to manage their networks. Expect major announcements around digital twins, predictive analytics and integrated control centres.
Connected and Automated Mobility
CAM remains a cornerstone of the European ITS agenda. Istanbul will showcase new deployments, cross-border initiatives and safety frameworks alongside the latest thinking on public acceptance and trust.
Sustainable Urban Mobility
From electrification to shared mobility, the Congress will highlight how cities are rethinking transport to meet climate goals. Freight decarbonisation and last-mile logistics will be particularly prominent.
Data Governance and Interoperability
As mobility systems become more connected, the need for secure, trusted and interoperable data frameworks becomes critical. Expect lively debate on standards, privacy and cross-sector collaboration.
Innovation from SMEs and Start-ups
The ITS ecosystem thrives on new ideas. The Start-up Zone in Istanbul promises to be one of the most dynamic spaces at the Congress.
Istanbul’s unique position, geographically, culturally and strategically, makes it an ideal host city for a Congress focused on connection, integration and transformation. The city’s transport network, spanning ferries, metros, buses, trams and emerging digital services, offers a living laboratory for the ideas being discussed inside the Congress halls.
For delegates, the week will be an opportunity to learn, challenge, collaborate and shape the future of mobility. For the wider sector, it will be a moment to take stock of progress and set direction for the years ahead.
And for ITS Now, it will be a chance to bring the Congress to life for the thousands of professionals who rely on us for clear, accessible and authoritative coverage.
As the ITS community prepares to gather in this remarkable city, we invite you to follow our coverage throughout the week.
Daily reports. Expert insights. Real stories from the heart of the Congress.
Whether you’re in Istanbul or at home, be HERE, at ITS Now.
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