The Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands is promising the 2027 Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Birmingham will provide a “global platform” to demonstrate how intelligent transport systems can transform mobility, safety and connectivity across the region.
Sandeep Shingadia told an ITS UK Executive Dinner the Congress will be far more than a showcase for emerging technology, positioning it instead as an opportunity to demonstrate how innovation can deliver “real outcomes for people, places and economies”.
The 33rd ITS World Congress will take place at Birmingham’s NEC in October 2027 and is expected to attract more than 15,000 delegates from around the world.
“The West Midlands is already acting as a living laboratory for transport innovation,” Mr Shingadia told the audience.
“We have been at the forefront of connected and automated mobility, mobility hubs, smart ticketing and digital traffic management – but importantly our approach is always focused on real-world delivery, not innovation for its own sake.”
The region plans to use the event to demonstrate how intelligent transport systems are underpinning major changes to its transport network, including bus franchising, network integration and future mobility initiatives.
“One of the biggest changes we are delivering is bus franchising, bringing services under greater public control from 2027,” he explained.
“Bus franchising is more than governance – it is about creating one integrated network for passengers. People want intelligent, seamless integration of modes, journeys and fares and ITS enables this through integrated ticketing, real-time information and network management tools.”
He said buses currently account for around 80 per cent of all public transport journeys in the region and contribute more than £4.4 billion to the West Midlands economy.
The Executive Director also highlighted how intelligent transport systems will support wider ambitions around road safety, decarbonisation and network resilience.
“Our Road Safety Strategy sets a clear direction – to use technology not just to respond to incidents, but to prevent them in the first place,” he said. “We are already seeing the benefits of smart monitoring systems, data analytics and digital enforcement to identify risks and improve compliance.”
The speech also positioned the West Midlands as a testbed for future transport technologies, including connected and autonomous vehicles, AI-driven traffic management and integrated multi-modal travel.
“ITS and increasingly AI can optimise traffic signals and manage traffic in real time. It can reduce delays, improve bus punctuality, cut emissions and enhance the efficiency of entire transport systems,” he said, and added that the Congress theme – “Connect Ideas. Transform Transport.” – reflects the challenges currently facing transport authorities globally, including climate pressures, urban growth and changing travel behaviour.
“Birmingham 2027 gives us the opportunity to show the world what an integrated, inclusive and technology-enabled transport system looks like,” he said.
“The world will come to Birmingham and the West Midlands to see ideas – but more importantly it will come to see how those ideas can reimagine transport.”
(Picture courtesy of ITS UK)
