The President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of the United States has closed the ITS World Congress by urging delegates to be bold in taking the risk to invest in new technology and digital infrastructure, “and if you cannot take that risk, find a partner prepared to”.
Laura Chase addressed the closing ceremony of the 31st World Congress in Atlanta that the week has “involved collaboration, cooperation and camaraderie”.
She said: “These three Cs are important as we look to foster and maintain new partnerships and full partnerships that bring about transformative transportation projects. Partnerships can unlock investments in life saving technology for our transportation system, whether you’re in the public, private or academic sector, close partnership and collaboration is key.
“We know the challenges we face in our transportation system, both in the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific regions, and everywhere around the world, with too many lives lost on our road, every year, we must continue to prioritise investments and solutions to improve safety, while always innovative, to find new solutions and take different approaches, try different things, safer, efficient roads and greater access to mobility as possible.
Mrs Chase continued: “But sometimes it may require us to take a different approach in trying to fix but let’s jump in and be bold on innovation. As our host for Georgia DOT, Commissioner Russell McMurray said this week, when it comes to safety and improving our transportation system and quality of life, let’s be accused of trying.
“We can only achieve a smart, safe and connected transportation system by making the choice to invest and prioritise innovative technology solutions that can be game changing for our communities. I come away from this week with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose as we look to deploy today to empower the transportation systems. Transportation System for tomorrow.”
Chair of the event’s Board of Directors, Ramin Massoumi of Arcadis emphasised the importance of carrying forward the spirit of collaboration and innovation, urging participants to continue the dialogue and ensure safer, more efficient transporta systems.
He thanked visitors “from near and far, who brought your diverse perspectives, your questions and your solutions, your engagement during the sessions, your willingness to challenge assumptions and your drive to collaborate have made this Congress not just a forum for technical exchange, but a major point of inspiration.”
He concluded by saying: “Just do it and be accused of trying, and that innovation is not just about doing the same things differently, but also about trying different things.”
The ceremony also saw the handing over of the World Congress globe to Gangneung in South Korea and also looked ahead to the West Midlands hosting the 2027 event at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. This will be the first time the UK has hosted this major event since it was held in London in 2006.
It has also been announced that Orlando in Florida will host the 2028 Congress when it returns to the Americas. It will be the third time the city has hosted the Congress, after also hosting in 1996 and 2011.
(Picture shows Laura Chace and Ramin Massoumi on stage at the closing ceremony in Atlanta – Highways News)
