Head of Transport Innovation at Transport for West Midlands, Chris Lane, has called on UK industry to get involved in the planning for the 2027 Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress to take place in the region.

Birmingham is Preferred Host for the global event, and TfWM has already started work on delivery.  With 15,000 people expected at the event, Mr Lane says there is so much to do that the initial planning needs to take place in parallel to final negotiations and contract agreement for Birmingham to be the host.

He used his address at the Transport Technology Forum Annual Conference in Leicestershire to ask the public and private sector delegates to put forward ideas for good examples of demonstrators and technical visits, and to think about what might be Unique Selling Points to attract visitors from around the world.

“There are two sides to a World Congress,” he explained.  “There’s the technology side, with a huge exhibition, demonstrations and a large conference programme, but there is also the visitor experience – how people enjoy the event overall, the “look and feel” and extra activities to show off the West Midlands area.”

Organisations wishing to get involved in any way should contact Chris Lane through the TTF.

The ITS Funding for the Congress is being supported by TfWM, the Department for Transport, Department of Business and Trade and Visit Britain, with organisational contributions from ITS UK, Innovate UK and the Connected Places Catapult.  They are complemented leading consultants, communications professionals and the “godfather” of UK ITS, Professor Eric Sampson, who masterminded delivery of the last UK-hosted World Congress in London, 2006.

The overall responsibility for the event is with ERTICO – ITS Europe, which organises the World Congress every three years.  This year’s event, organised by ERTICO, takes place in Dubai in September.

(Picture – TTF)