Transport technology sector heads into 2026 generally confident, ITS UK survey suggests

by Kevin Borras

A new survey published by the transport technology industry association, Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), shows cautious optimism across the sector as it enters 2026, alongside clear concerns about funding and the wider economic climate.

The survey, capturing the views of more than 200 senior leaders from across the public and private sectors and organisations of all sizes, found that:

Confidence in growth remains strong, with 62% of respondents saying they were either “really” or “quite” confident about growth over the coming year. Confidence was higher in the private sector (65%) than in the public sector (58%).
Access to funding and the general economic climate were identified as the single biggest barrier to growth. This concern was shared consistently across public and private organisations and across all business sizes.
Opportunities differ by sector. Public sector respondents most frequently identified integrating different modes of transport as the biggest opportunity in the year ahead (33%). In contrast, private sector respondents highlighted the growth of AI and automation (27%) and the digitalisation of transport services (23%).

Max Sugarman, Chief Executive of Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), said:

“As we begin the year, the results of our State of the Industry survey show that organisations across the transport technology sector are generally confident about future growth. That confidence is being driven by the opportunities created by digitalisation, AI and greater integration across transport networks. This is hugely positive and demonstrates a sector that is ready to support the Government’s priorities on integration, safety and sustainability.

“However, the survey also highlights a clear and shared concern around funding and the wider economic climate. With ongoing uncertainty in the economy, and particularly the pressures facing local authority budgets, it is critical that we continue to back our intelligent transport industry and that we treat transport technology as a critical sector of strategic importance to the UK.”

(Picture: ITS UK)