The Network of National ITS Associations (ITS Nationals) has elected representatives from Bulgaria, Italy and the Netherlands to its Coordination Committee.
The committee leads the strategy and direction of the group, which aims to ensure that ITS knowledge and information is transmitted to all its members across the network and works closely with ERTICO – ITS Europe.
The new members of the Coordination Committee are: Laura Franchi from TTS Italia, Marc Verhage representing Connekt (ITS Netherlands) and Elena Elenakova of BITSA (Bulgarian ITS Association). They join for two years, replacing Benoit Augarde of ITS France, ITS Estonia’s Maarja Rannama and Marco Forsblom from ITS Finland whose terms ended in December 2023.
The Network is chaired by Günther Weber of ITS Germany, supported by Vice Chair Dónal Hodgins from ITS Ireland. The committee also includes ITS Austria’s Martin Russ alongside ITS Nationals Ambassador Jennie Martin, formerly of ITS UK and ERTICO’s CEO Joost Vantomme. Paul Hutton of Highways News supports the organisation’s communications in a voluntary capacity.
“Firstly, I would like to give a big thank you to Benoit, Maarja and Marko, and before him Sani Remonen from ITS Finland, for their very hard work and support over the last two years,” commented Mr Weber. “This year marks the 20th birthday of the ITS Nationals Network, and we welcome Elena, Laura and Marc as we look to expand our support for the industry across Europe. All three put forward compelling cases to support our work raising awareness of ITS, and their enthusiasm is bound to have a really positive effect on all we do.”
“As we reflect on our 20-year anniversary, ITS Nationals is redefining our role in the international community,” added Mr Hodgins. “Welcoming our new members into the committee will help bring fresh ideas to help continuously improve the cooperation between, and support for, our members. Working in partnership with ERTICO, we can deliver positive benefits for all our national organisations and their members, at a local, national and international level and boost the integration of technology and transport.”
The ITS Nationals Network is supporting a series of events and initiatives across the year including a Plenary meeting during April’s Intertraffic Amsterdam and active participation at Special Interest Sessions at the ITS World Congress in Dubai in September.
(Picture, L-R, Laura, Marc and Elena, courtesy ITS Nationals Network)
