The EU project X_HeERO, which supports the upgrading of public safety answering points (PSAPs) in EU members states for Next Generation eCall, is continuing its webinar series. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (CEST), X_HeERO invites to another webinar session that will provide a preview of two events in the coming months that are significant for the international eCall community: the EENA 2026 Conference & Exhibition from April 15 to 17, 2026, in Riga (Latvia), and the ETSI Plugtest event in Ljubljana (Slovenia), including the NG112 Plugtests from May 26 to 29, 2026 and the NGeCall Plugtests from June 1 to 5, 2026.

X_HeERO Webinar #4 – Upcoming Events: ETSI Plugtest and EENA Conference
Wednesday, 8 April 2026, 14.30 to 15.30 h (CEST)
Online via Teams
Registration: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/574d7ba4-152e-42e9-83e9-da7f3c41f3f8@e91b8a92-a4e8-4cd8-ad67-763902c9d9e6

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The international network of national Intelligent Transport Systems associations, ITS Nationals,  will be electing a new Chair this summer following the announcement that Donal Hodgins will step down at the end of his current term.

“Regrettably, I will not be putting my name forward again,” Mr Hodgins said, explaining that the demands of the voluntary role means he cannot allocate the time required to the Network.  “ITS Nationals has been transformed over the past four years and the success of the entity raising it’s profile internationally and supporting over 2,200 members of national ITS associations requires a level of continued input that would be challenge for me to maintain. It is important to me on a personal level that I would rather ITS Nationals continues to grow then restrain the ambition of the group.”

Mr Hodgins has been a high-profile Chair of ITS Nationals, sitting on the ITS European and World Congress Programme Committees, as well as presenting at events in Canada, Dubai and Australia, promoting ITS Nationals, on behalf of its members.  The Irishman was Vice Chair of the Network for two years before taking over the top job.

An election process for a new Chair is now underway.

(Picture – ITS Nationals)

The organisers of the major Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Birmingham in October 2027 have proposed four thematic areas that the event will concentrate on.

They’re around humanising safe, smart, multi-modal mobility, a sustainable resilient planet, breakthrough technology for the next era of transport and business strategies to fuel growth, prosperity and quality of life.

These four thematic areas will underpin the technical programme, demonstrations and exhibitions.  They were chosen after an in-depth review of the ITS industry by experts from organisers ERTICO – ITS Europe and hosts Transport for West Midlands in consultation with the Congress International Programme Committee (IPC).

The “Humanising safe, smart multi-modal mobility for thriving inclusive communities” stream will look at people-centred and accessible ITS; equity and inclusivity through technology; user preferences, safety, security, privacy, data ethics and emerging trends in user-focussed design; and a more humane and beneficial transport experience.

Included in the “Enabling a sustainable, resilient planet through responsible development and operation” theme are global environmental sustainability and connectivity; decarbonization, clean energy, and sustainable logistics within a circular economy; intelligent traffic management, data-driven strategies, and efficient operations; optimising systems for sustainable and resilient transport; and balancing environmental aims with operational efficiency.

Meanwhile for the “Breakthrough technology pioneering the next era of mobility” subject, areas include transformative potential of advanced ITS technologies;

connected and automated multimodal transport, advanced digital infrastructure and connectivity, intelligent and autonomous systems development; simulation and modelling; emerging and advancing technologies such as Quantum, AI and VR; and next generation of transport solutions for road, rail, air and maritime.

Finally the “Business strategies that fuel growth, drive economic prosperity and enhance our quality of life” topics include economic and business aspects of ITS development and deployment; ITS market dynamics and economic impact, innovative ITS business models and service delivery, funding, investment, and collaboration strategies; data monetization and value creation and sustainable and profitable business models that support the growth and adoption of ITS technologies.

“We’re keen to discuss and showcase the value of ITS in everyone’s day-to-day lives, and not just have a talking shop of nice ideas,” explained Chris Lane of Transport for West Midlands, who is overseeing the region’s preparations for the event.  “I’m confident that these four thematic areas deliver that and will give real value to everyone coming to Birmingham for the Congress so transport authorities will find solutions to save money, improve safety or boost efficiency, while the supply chain will learn new opportunities to boost their bottom lines.”

Rita Bhandari, Senior Manager, Programme & Knowledge Integration at ERTICO added: “The International Programme Committee has shaped themes that reflect the issues highest on the global mobility agenda. Their expertise ensures a Programme built around priority areas where innovation can translate into real deployment and deliver measurable benefits for society.”

Companies looking to take part in the Congress can download a brochure outlining the commercial opportunities, while the IPC, which includes experts representing ITS America and ITS Asia-Pacific, prepares to launch the call for contributions for papers and special interest sessions next October.

This will be the first time in 21 years that the UK has hosted the Congress, after it was held in London in 2006.  The 33rd ITS World Congress takes place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham from 25 to 29 October 2027 and is expected to welcome more than 15,000 people from around the world.

(Picture – TfWM)

We have content from both sides of this vast country, as we include some interviews we couldn’t squeeze into our programmes from the ITS Australia Summit last week, plus head to Perth to look at cutting edge solutions in the really go-ahead state of Western Australia.

These podcasts are brought to you thanks to the support of TomTom, Nicander, AGD Systems Australia, TraceMark Flow an NGIS Solution, Westcotec and TRL.

Today Paul Hutton reports again from Australia and talks to one of the world’s leading experts in automated vehicle technology, and to AGD about growing the business Down Under, and also how to best work together when you’re 10 thousand miles apart.  He also learns about Deloitte’s new planning tool and about major event in New Zealand that’s come up.  Meanwhile in Perth we hear from the state of Western Australia embracing vast amounts of technology to manage a busy city area, as well as a vast amount of space, and what happens when a big event taking place doesn’t last as long as expected.

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Today’s guests are:

• Professor Michael Milford – Director of the QUT Centre for Robotics
• Stuart Douglas – MD of AGD Systems Australasia
• Andy Humphries – MD of MAV Systems
• Muneeb Shaikh – Technical Sales Representative at AGD Systems Australasia
• Alex Hendrick – Manager Real Time Traffic Operations at Main Roads Western Australia
• Michael Priest – Network Operations Major Events Manager at Main Roads Western Australia
• Jacob Vidulich – Software Engineer at Deloitte
• Antony Dixon – Chair of ITS New Zealand