Future mobility could be seen and experienced last week in Hamburg, Germany, where the 27th Congress for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) was held from 11-15OCT21. The show can be summarized in one sentence: it was an event of superlatives.
Over 400 exhibitors had registered to display their products, present their innovative transport concepts to the public, and allow participants to experience future modes of mobility, be it on road, rail or in the air. The show attracted about 15,000 trade visitors (not including the numerous participants who showed up on the free public day on 14OCT21), welcomed by special stage programs and a variety of live presentations illustrating concepts of future mobility held inside the exhibition halls as well as in the urban environment of the ITS Congress, including the port area.
Making use of the 3rd dimension
On display were - among other things - intelligent traffic light concepts that can interact with buses or trucks, giving them right of way, autonomous commuter trains linking downtown Hamburg
with suburban regions, and a variety of data-driven smart mobility solutions that prevent jams and accelerate traffic within a given infrastructural framework. In addition, the development of the
“third dimension” played a central role. In other words, the hitherto little-used area between ground level and an altitude of around 500 meters, which has so far largely been reserved for
helicopters, and which is increasingly being used by drones. Hier bitte Links zu den Berichten VoloCopter und Matternet einfügen, stehen an 7. und 8. Position im heutigen CFG
Singapore is a role model
More than 200 sessions and workshops staffed with high-ranking experts and industry leaders, discussed issues such as future modal transportation shifts, means to better the public acceptance of
a faster transition to sustainable mobility, and how to harmonize technical standards and speed up regulatory approval by maintaining highest safety standards. The latter issue was a very
essential point, mentioned on many occasions, because it still takes too long for new technologies and advanced communication systems to be approved by the regulators and put into practice. “In
general, Singapore is much more open to innovations than Europe,” stated a member of the organizing committee. Food for thought for the EU.
Rethinking traffic
“Hamburg is showing off the mobility of the future that includes autonomous driving in real operation, smart traffic management on the streets and on tracks, and digital services that make our
mobility simpler, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly,” stated Hamburg Mayor, Peter Tschentscher. The politician pointed out that high density neighborhoods leave no space for
building additional roads, and no alternatives to using the existing urban transport infrastructure more intelligently.
That said, he precisely illustrated the organizers' urge to rethink traffic and make urban life more attractive and environmentally friendly again, without compromising on mobility.
Vantomme takes over from Bangsgaard
Ertico - ITS Europe’s experts and city planners took 4 years to meticulously organize and prepare the event. All this permanently accompanied by the threat caused by the pandemic that the onsite
show might be called off at the last minute due to health risk. Jacob Bangsgaard, CEO of Ertico - ITS Europe, pointed this out in his speech at the opening ceremony: “We have worked hard to
ensure that this event takes place in a secure and safe environment. Now it is time to showcase innovative mobility concepts and reveal how they can be brought to reality,” he stated. As
announced by Artico Charmain Angelos Amditis at the closing of the Hamburg event, Bangsgaard will be stepping down as CEO of Ertico on 01JAN22 after 5 years in this role. He will be succeeded by
Joost Vantomme, currently Smart Mobility Director at the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA).
The next World Congress presenting Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) will be held 18-22SEP22 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Heiner Siegmund
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