The organisers of the 2027 ITS World Congress in Birmingham are promising the world they’ll see the best in cutting-edge transport technology in the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
The city officially launched the Congress countdown internationally on the last day of the current ITS World Congress in Dubai. Both events are being organised by ERTICO – ITS Europe as part of the three-year rotation of congresses to different parts of the world.
At the launch on the UK Pavilion in Dubai, among the speakers, Transport for West Midlands’ Chris Lane commented: “The transport priorities in the region are equitable services, dealing with climate change and sustainable transport, which align with the priorities of the World Congress so we already have common beliefs and common goals. The organisers here in Dubai have set the bar really high, and we are determined to reach that bar, working closely with ERTICO to deliver a fantastic congress to the world in three years’ time.”
ERTICO Chief Executive Joost Vantomme talked of his excitement at hosting the event in Birmingham, saying, “We are smiling and really pleased with the selection. It was the best bid from the quality of the organisation, the leading topics, its venue, its public transport and the co-operation we will have. It is putting the West Midlands on the map, with Birmingham the second largest city, and all its innovation in public transport and wider mobility system, really connecting communities.” He praised the team at TfWM saying “what I see with Chris Lane, who has been recently appointed to the ERTICO’s Supervisory Board, and the whole team there, along with our collaboration plan with the Transport Technology Forum. There’s such a vibe already, such a drive.”
For the UK Government, Anthony Ferguson, Deputy Director at Department for Transport commented: “We think of the event not just as a Birmingham event or a West Midlands event, but one showcasing the whole of the UK. The West Midlands is the go-to region for innovation in transport technology innovation, and for trying ways of doing transport differently. It has superb intelligent transport systems to offer, and we’re looking forward to welcoming upwards of fifteen thousand people to share the latest thinking and innovation in using technology to make transport safer, greener, and more accessible.”
ITS UK Chief Executive Max Sugarman added that when it comes to business: “Everyone is 110% committed to making the event a success. He said there is a huge amount of capability in the ITS industry in the UK. Birmingham is a good fit for the World Congress, and the World Congress is a fit for Birmingham – from history to the current investment in integrated mobility, and the Congress can promote that.”
The ITS World Congress 2027 will take place at the NEC in Birmingham from 25-29 October featuring around 20,000 visitors from around the world. They will not only spend time in an exhibition and have the chance to join in with discussions about the latest technology and policy, but also see real-world innovations in the West Midlands and take part in a busy networking programme.
Next year’s World Congress is in Atlanta, USA in August, with Gangneung in Korea hosting in 2026.
(Picture – TTF)
