Skip to main content

ITS community 'must lead with conviction', says Eric Sampson

ITS European Congress chief rapporteur urges 'fairer, safer and shared' mobility
By Adam Hill May 22, 2025 Read time: 2 mins
Sampson: 'Now is the time' (image: Ertico | ITS Congresses)

Professor Eric Sampson, chief rapporteur at the 16th ITS European Congress in Seville, has called on the ITS sector to move forward at speed.

In his closing remarks at the Congress, he said: “In Seville, we saw more than innovation – we saw determination."

"The path forward is no longer about what we can create, but how swiftly we can deliver it. The ITS community must lead with conviction (or purpose): not just smarter mobility, but fairer, safer and shared. Now is the time.”

A full post-Congress report will be published in the coming weeks. In the meantime, awards were handed out for Congress papers:

  • Best Rated Session: Dr Vassilis Agouridas, Ertico - ITS Europe
  • Best Research Paper: Guoxi Feng, IFP Energies Nouvelles
  • Best Technical Paper: Kyriaki Daskaloudi, Future Needs

Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) remained a cornerstone of the Congress, with clear emphasis on real-world deployment—from AI-enhanced shuttles and delivery robots to services focused on societal and environmental outcomes.

Emergent Technologies dominated the programme, illustrating Europe’s rapid digital transformation in mobility. Experts explored advanced data integration, real-time analytics, and the critical need for a harmonised EU data exchange architecture to enable seamless MaaS deployment and micromobility integration.

The Societal Aspects sessions highlighted how mobility systems are becoming increasingly attuned to the diverse needs of users. Technologies have grown more stable and scalable, while the importance of behavioural data and inclusive design took centre stage in many discussions.

In the Resilient and Safe Mobility track, delegates tackled challenges related to system complexity, cybersecurity, and climate impact. AI-supported predictive models emerged as a prominent tool for improving operational resilience. Several sessions also emphasised the importance of richer data on cycling—covering not only flow but safety and social impact as well.

Sampson traced the evolution of ITS from early single-purpose tools to today’s connected, user-oriented ecosystems. The current decade is increasingly focused on reliability, adaptability, and resilience, spanning both land and air mobility applications.

#ITSSeville2025 made it clear that European ITS is prepared to deliver mobility that is:

Accessible for all 
Affordable 
Resilient 
Zero fatalities 
Zero emissions 

However, delivering on these goals in tandem remains a considerable challenge. While the technologies are mature, the pace of policy alignment must quicken, and collective commitment—financial and behavioural—is essential.

 

Looking ahead

The Congress pointed to clear directions for the road ahead. Progress will depend not only on technological advancement, but on deep, sustained collaboration between sectors, disciplines, and communities.

With renewed focus and collective drive, we move forward, ready to turn the vision of intelligent mobility into a reality that serves all.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IBTTA Seattle: resilience and opportunity
    October 8, 2023
    91st IBTTA Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Seattle will look at climate change challenges
  • ERF launches position paper aimed at improving Europe’s traffic signs
    November 10, 2015
    The European Union Road Federation (ERF) has launched its position paper, Improved Signage for better Roads: An ERF Position Paper towards improving Traffic Signs in European Roads, which is aimed at a broad range of stakeholders and seeks to identify key actions that ERF and its members believe should be prioritised so that traffic signs can continue serving the needs of Europe’s road users. Vertical signage is an essential element not only of a modern and well-maintained road infrastructure, but also o
  • CES 2019 says hello to the future
    February 20, 2019
    The launch of the latest gadgets has made the Consumer Electronics Show into tech heaven for geeks worldwide – but there is a serious ITS component, too. Ben Spencer braves the bright lights of Las Vegas to find out more The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been the showcase for some of the world’s most iconic gadgets – from VCRs to the Commodore 64, and from the camcorder to the launch of HDTV. This has made CES a mecca for tech heads all over the world since it began in the 1960s, but these days it
  • Ertico coordinates big data debate
    November 2, 2016
    David Crawford finds that agreeing a common data standard for auto manufacturers’ onboard sensors, navigation system companies and map makers is proving a complex task.