The committees working to deliver the best possible technical content and visitor experience at the 2027 ITS World Congress in Birmingham have begun their work, beginning to draw up their plans for the prestigious global event.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), the Department for Transport, Department of Business and Trade, ITS UK and Visit Britain are collaborating with the organiser, ERTICO – ITS Europe to bring transport technology to life at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
The Technical Working Group, chaired by Andy Graham of White Willow Consulting, is looking at showcasing practical, business-as-usual ITS applications that demonstrate real-world benefits, such as carbon reduction and increased mobility.
The group is working on securing a range of demonstrations including examples of interventions and collaborative traffic management between local authorities and national highways, as well as the latest in autonomous vehicles, urban air mobility and accessibility by design.
“We’re looking at demonstrating examples of ITS that will have a lasting impact for all the people who use transport,” Mr Graham explained. “We are working on running a competition for new ideas to be demonstrated at the World Congress, which gives innovative companies, both established and start-ups, the opportunity to showcase their innovations to a global audience, as well as attracting industries to the event that don’t normally consider ITS.”
The ITS World Congress is expected to be one of the biggest industry events ever to take place at the NEC, with at least 15,000 attendees expected from around the world.
“Our job is to make sure that everyone taking part – speakers, exhibitors, demonstrators and attendees have a superb, positive experience from the moment they sign up to the moment they leave the Congress,” added Visitor Experience Committee Chair Louise Penistone, who’s Managing Director of infrastructure asset management company Vercity. “As I’ve said before, it doesn’t matter how good the speakers, exhibition or demonstrations are if people get lost, soaked in the rain or are unable to get a drink in the evening. Our committee members are passionate about delivering brilliant user experience, and I know that we are creating something special here that will put Birmingham 2027 among the greatest ever World Congresses.”
ERTICO’s CEO, Joost Vantomme, has expressed his excitement about the event, saying: “I am thrilled at the proactive attitude of the UK team and we work in full force together to make this a worldwide showcase of innovation in transport and thought leadership, a true win-win.”
TfWM is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which, through initiatives like the Future Transport Zone, is a global leader in the field and at the cutting edge in key areas of research and development such as autonomous vehicle development, battery technology, the emerging very light rail system and smart ticketing.
The ITS World Congress is an annual event held in rotation between three global regions – the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa. This year’s event will take place in Atlanta in August, with the 2026 edition taking place in Gangneung City, South Korea. Birmingham will host the 33rd ITS World Congress from 25-29 October 2027.
(Logo – ERTICO)
