From 19 to 21 May 2025, the 16th ITS European Congress transformed Seville, Spain into a vibrant hub for intelligent transport systems (ITS). Over the course of three days, the city welcomed industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and researchers from across Europe and beyond to explore the theme “Clean, Resilient, and Connected Mobility.”
Organised by ERTICO – ITS Europe, in collaboration with the European Commission, hosted by the City of Seville, and supported by the Spanish Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, the Ministry of the Interior, the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), the Junta de Andalucía, and ITS España, the Congress served as a strategic platform for accelerating digital and sustainable mobility across Europe. This strong public-sector involvement reflected Spain’s commitment at local, regional, and national levels to drive forward clean, connected, and resilient transport solutions across Europe.
Opening Ceremony: A Vision for Sustainable Transport
The Opening Ceremony of the 16th ITS European Congress took place on 19 May 2025, marking the official launch of a week dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and dialogue in intelligent transport systems. Held at the FIBES Conference Centre in Seville, the session featured welcome speeches from prominent institutional and industry leaders, including José Luis Sanz, Mayor of Seville; Dr. Angelos Amditis, Chairman of ERTICO – ITS Europe; Rocío Díaz Jiménez, Minister of Development of the Andalusia Regional Government; and Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gómez, Spain’s Minister of Interior. Contributions also included Eric von Breska, Director at DG MOVE, and a recorded message from Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. The ceremony concluded with a high-level panel and keynote address, setting an ambitious tone for the Congress, followed by a welcome reception where participants connected and exchanged perspectives.
“The future rarely announces itself with noise. It arrives in signals—in quiet shifts from diesel to electric, from data to action.” — Dr. Angelos Amditis, Chairman of ERTICO – ITS Europe
3,000+ Participants and a Forward-Looking Programme
More than 3,000 participants from 71 countries took part in a comprehensive programme of over 150 sessions. More than 500 speakers across 150+sessions and workshops contributed their insights across topics such as deployment and integration of Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM), the transformative role of AI and emerging technologies in resilient, inclusive, and sustainable transport systems, and the critical societal, regulatory, and infrastructural dimensions shaping the future of smart mobility for both people and goods.
Plenary Sessions
The three high-level plenary sessions at the 16th ITS European Congress explored the future of smart mobility through the lenses of sustainability, resilience, and automation.
The opening session, Plenary 1: The Green Shift – Accelerating a Sustainable Future through ITS, examined how intelligent transport systems can drive Europe’s transition to climate-neutral mobility. With contributions from city leaders, industry, and the European Commission, the discussion focused on digital tools like AI and digital twins, as well as strategies for integrating smart charging, last-mile logistics, and urban access regulation to support behavioural change, equity, and cleaner transport systems.
“Mobility must be a right, not a privilege. It has to work for everyone—especially the vulnerable.” — Miguel Álvarez Martínez, Director General of Mobility Strategies, Spanish Ministry of Transport
Plenary 2: Resilient by Design – Shaping a Competitive Mobility Value Chain tackled the importance of resilience in Europe’s mobility ecosystem in response to environmental, geopolitical, and technological challenges. Speakers highlighted the need for robust infrastructure, cyber-secure data ecosystems, and flexible, multimodal networks that ensure continuity and competitiveness. The panel advocated for cross-sector collaboration and digital redundancy to build a mobility system capable of adapting to disruption and change.
Plenary 3: Towards Leadership in CCAM and Automated Driving Technologies focused on Europe’s ambition to lead globally in connected and automated mobility. Panellists addressed the technical priorities and regulatory frameworks required to advance deployment — including AI, software-defined vehicles, interoperability standards, and workforce upskilling. They also stressed the importance of integrating automated systems with urban environments in a way that builds public trust and delivers real societal value.
ITS Arena: A New Interactive Feature
One of the standout features of this edition was the ITS Arena — a brand-new interactive space where thought leaders, public authorities, and industry innovators held real-time discussions focused on practical deployment. With over 20 sessions through 3 days, 100+ speakers, and 30+ industries represented, the Arena became a central point of dynamic cross-sectoral exchange.
Exhibition, Demonstrations and Technical Visits: Showcasing Mobility Innovation
The Exhibition Hall at FIBES Sevilla hosted over 140+ exhibitors, each showcasing cutting-edge solutions across areas such as automated driving, digital infrastructure, sustainable urban logistics, and AI-enabled traffic systems.
Visitors experienced 6 live demonstrations of connected and autonomous technologies, electric vehicle systems, and data platforms, along with 7 technical visits to see Seville’s innovative mobility infrastructure in action.
High-Level Networking and Commercial Engagement
With support from over 14 commercial partners, the Congress offered extensive networking opportunities that fostered cross-sector collaboration and engagement. Notable highlights included the Welcome Reception, the exclusive ERTICO Cocktail, and the ITS Dinner, which brought together over 400 participants at the historic Casino de la Exposición, blending Andalusian cultural flair with high-level professional interaction.
The Congress also welcomed more than 50 associations, as well as 23 ITS National Partners, underscoring the diversity and reach of Europe’s mobility ecosystem.
Media visibility was equally strong, with 21 official media partners and over 65 media and press representatives present on-site, ensuring the Congress’s outcomes and innovations resonated well beyond the event halls.
Future of Mobility Summit of Cities and Regions: From Ambition to Action
On 19 May 2025, the opening day of the 16th ITS European Congress in Seville, more than 50 high-level representatives from across Europe gathered at the Smart Mobility Summit of Cities and Regions to accelerate the transition toward smart, inclusive, and climate-neutral urban mobility. With participation from 16 Mission Cities and strong engagement from public and private stakeholders, the Summit addressed key innovation areas including integrated transport systems, data-driven mobility management, urban electrification, and the governance of emerging aerial services. Through expert dialogue and peer exchange, the Summit highlighted the critical role of collaboration, balanced policymaking, and investment in delivering resilient and citizen-focused mobility.
“I don’t know my city without ITS. Since 2015, it’s been the backbone of our sustainable journey.” — Adam Wieczorek, Deputy Mayor, City of Łódź
Concluding with a clear call to action, city leaders urged European institutions, national governments, and industry partners to co-create supportive frameworks and shared commitments that will drive forward the EU’s sustainability and digitalisation goals.
Press Conference: Showcasing Strategic Vision
The opening press conference featured key insights from Dr. Angelos Amditis (ERTICO), Álvaro Pimentel Siles (City of Seville), Moumen Hamdouch (European Commission), Francisco Sánchez (CTAG), Ana Luz Jiménez Ortega (DGT Andalusia), and Joost Vantomme (ERTICO), who collectively highlighted the Congress’s role as a vital platform for advancing smart mobility solutions through collaboration, policy alignment, and innovation. Speakers underscored the importance of inclusivity, digital transformation, public-private partnerships, and regional leadership in shaping the future of urban transport, with Seville showcased as a frontrunner in sustainable mobility and intelligent transport deployment. The day set a strong foundation for a week of impactful exchange, with demonstrations, technical sessions, and the new ITS Arena offering hands-on insights into the next generation of mobility systems.
Closing Ceremony: Reflecting on a Milestone Edition
On 21 May, the Congress wrapped up with a Closing Ceremony, summarising the achievements and key takeaways of the event. Awards were presented for Best Research Paper, Best Technical Paper, and Best Rated Session, celebrating innovation and excellence across all programme elements.
Chief Congress Rapporteur Prof. Eric Sampson shared a powerful reflection on the momentum generated in Seville – one that will continue to shape Europe’s smart mobility landscape in the years ahead. His remarks set the stage for a Congress framed by progress, where each session demonstrated how far the ITS community has come — and how united it is in facing the challenges ahead.
“Behind every statistic is a life. Safety must be the true legacy of innovation.” — Mar Cogollos, Director General, AESLEME
Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) remained a cornerstone of the Congress. Presentations reflected the maturity of the field, 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.
A Broader Arc of Innovation
Reflecting on the past three decades, Prof. 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.
Seville 2025 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 Forward
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.
Seville 2025: A Landmark Edition for ITS in Europe
The 16th ITS European Congress proved to be a milestone event, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to resilient, digital, and sustainable mobility. From world-class exhibitions to high-level policy exchanges, the Congress delivered actionable insights and meaningful dialogue among all sectors of the mobility ecosystem.
For those who couldn’t attend – or wish to revisit the experience – the best moments of the Congress were captured in photos and videos, as well as press releases available on the official Congress website.
Next station: Stay tuned for the 2026 ITS European Congress in Istanbul!
