Intelligent Green Mobility

The International Conference - ITS 2026: Intelligent Green Mobility and Resilience Society

16th November 2026 - Alistair Gollop for ITS Now

As cities across Europe confront the twin pressures of decarbonisation and growing climate uncertainty, the conversation around transport is evolving beyond efficiency alone. Resilience, sustainability and digital intelligence are becoming inseparable elements of modern mobility policy. Against this backdrop, the International Conference ITS 2026, held in Patras, Greece on 12-13 November and co-organised by the University of Patras and ITS Hellas, provided a timely forum for examining how Intelligent Transport Systems can support a greener, more adaptable future. The event was organised under the theme “Intelligent Green Mobility and Resilience Society” and brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers and technology innovators from across the mobility sector.

Hosted at the Conference and Cultural Centre of the University of Patras, the conference reflected a growing recognition that the challenges facing transport networks can no longer be addressed through infrastructure investment alone. Digital technologies, data-driven decision making and connected mobility solutions are increasingly shaping how roads, public transport networks and logistics systems respond to disruption, growing demand and environmental pressures. Organisers positioned the event as an opportunity to explore these interconnected challenges while highlighting the role of ITS and connected ITS technologies in delivering safer, cleaner and more resilient mobility systems.

A particularly interesting aspect of the conference was its emphasis on resilience. While resilience has become a frequently used term within transport policy discussions, the Patras event sought to place it at the centre of ITS development. Extreme weather events, infrastructure failures, cyber threats and sudden shifts in travel demand are placing unprecedented pressures on transport systems worldwide. Delegates therefore focused considerable attention on how digital technologies can increase the ability of transport networks to anticipate, withstand and recover from disruption.

Connected and intelligent transport systems are uniquely positioned to support this objective. Through the integration of real-time data, predictive analytics and advanced communications technologies, transport operators can gain a far clearer understanding of network conditions and respond more rapidly when incidents occur. Whether through dynamic traffic management, connected vehicle applications or intelligent traveller information services, the ability to adapt transport operations in real time is becoming a defining characteristic of resilient mobility networks. Conference discussions highlighted how these capabilities are moving from experimental deployments into practical tools that support everyday transport operations.

Artificial intelligence emerged as another prominent theme. Across the ITS sector, AI is increasingly being used to improve traffic prediction, optimise network performance and enhance transport decision making. Presentations explored how machine learning algorithms can support predictive demand management, allowing transport authorities to identify emerging congestion hotspots before they develop into significant problems. Similar approaches are now being applied to asset management, enabling infrastructure owners to move towards predictive maintenance models that improve reliability while reducing costs.

Such developments are particularly relevant to road operators. Many road authorities are facing growing demands despite constrained budgets and ageing infrastructure. Intelligent systems capable of prioritising interventions, predicting failures and improving operational efficiency offer a pathway towards smarter investment decisions. Throughout the conference there was a strong sense that data is becoming as important a transport asset as the physical infrastructure itself.

The intersection between digitalisation and environmental sustainability also featured prominently. The conference theme deliberately combined green mobility with intelligent mobility, reflecting the view that technology and sustainability must progress together. Participants explored how ITS solutions can reduce congestion, improve vehicle efficiency and encourage modal shift towards more sustainable travel choices.

Increasingly sophisticated traffic management systems, for example, can help reduce stop-start traffic conditions that contribute to unnecessary emissions. Mobility as a Service platforms can support greater integration between transport modes, making public transport, micromobility and shared mobility options more attractive to travellers. Connected vehicle technologies can help optimise route selection and energy consumption, particularly as electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate. These are not isolated technologies, but components of a broader ecosystem designed to improve both mobility outcomes and environmental performance.

Micromobility and Mobility as a Service attracted particular interest as cities seek alternatives to private car dependency. Across Europe, urban authorities are attempting to balance accessibility, sustainability and liveability. Digital platforms that enable seamless multimodal journeys are increasingly viewed as important tools in achieving these objectives. Conference discussions reflected a growing understanding that successful mobility systems must focus not only on infrastructure and vehicles but also on the traveller experience itself.

Another recurring topic was the continuing evolution of Connected ITS. While connected vehicle technology has been discussed for many years, deployment is now beginning to accelerate as communications infrastructure matures and vehicle manufacturers increasingly integrate connectivity into their platforms. Presentations examined how vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications can improve road safety, enhance traffic efficiency and support future automated transport systems.

For the road sector, these developments carry significant implications. Road infrastructure is gradually becoming part of a connected digital ecosystem in which information flows continuously between vehicles, roadside equipment and traffic management centres. Such connectivity creates opportunities to improve incident detection, manage congestion more effectively and provide motorists with more accurate information. Equally, it introduces fresh challenges around interoperability, investment priorities and cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity itself received considerable attention throughout the programme. As transport systems become increasingly connected, their vulnerability to cyber threats also grows. The resilience agenda discussed in Patras therefore extends beyond physical infrastructure to encompass digital security. Delegates considered how transport authorities can protect critical systems while ensuring that innovation is not constrained by emerging risks. The consensus appeared to be that cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a specialist concern but must become an integral element of transport system design and operation.

The conference also acknowledged the emergence of new mobility domains, including unmanned aerial systems and advanced logistics technologies. Although many of these applications remain in relatively early stages of deployment, they form part of a wider transformation affecting how people and goods move through urban and regional environments. Integrating these developments into existing transport systems will require careful planning, robust governance frameworks and a strong emphasis on interoperability.

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from ITS 2026 was the recognition that technological innovation alone is not enough. Successful deployment of intelligent mobility solutions requires collaboration between government, academia and industry, supported by clear policy frameworks and public trust. The conference repeatedly returned to the concept of human-centred mobility, emphasising that technology should ultimately serve communities by improving safety, accessibility, sustainability and quality of life.

Patras provided an appropriate setting for these discussions. Bringing together expertise from across the ITS community, the event offered a valuable opportunity to examine how transport systems must evolve to address increasingly complex challenges. From AI-powered network management and connected vehicle technologies to green mobility strategies and resilience planning, the conference highlighted a sector undergoing profound transformation.

As transport authorities, infrastructure operators and technology providers continue their journey towards smarter mobility, the themes explored at ITS 2026 are likely to remain central to industry discussions for years to come. The message emerging from Patras was clear: the future of mobility will depend not only on how intelligently transport systems operate, but also on how effectively they contribute to a greener, safer and more resilient society.