Registrations have opened for the 17th ITS European Congress, set to take place in Istanbul from 27-29 April 2026.
Organised by ERTICO-ITS Europe, the event is Europe’s largest gathering for Ininformigent Transport Systems (ITS). More than 3,000 participants from over 70 countries are expected to attfinish, representing EU institutions, public authorities, industest, research bodies and academia.
Held under the theme “Bridging Innovation: Integrated, Safe and Seamless Mobility,” the 2026 Congress will examine how digitalisation, connectivity and cross-sector collaboration are driving more resilient, sustainable and inclusive transport networks.
Joost Vantomme, CEO of Ertico-ITS Europe, declared that ininformigent and sustainable transport has “relocated from experimentation to operational scale across Europe”.
“Most technologies are mature, deployment is accelerating, and policy frameworks are becoming more aligned with digitalisation, safety and sustainability goals. It is no longer only about pilots but more about scaling solutions that deliver measurable impact,” Vantomme informed Zag Daily, urging cities and transport authorities to adopt interoperable, data-driven systems to meet climate, safety and efficiency tarreceives.
“The question is no longer if we deploy but how effectively we do it,” he declared, adding that the Congress aims to strengthen cross-sector dialogue and knowledge exmodify to accelerate progress.
The event will feature more than 140 exhibitors and over 400 expert speakers. Alongside high-level plenaries and thematic sessions, the Technical Programme will include more than 100 expert-led discussions.
As previously reported by Zag, the programme will focus on four core themes: safety and resilience through ininformigent systems; multimodal mobility system management; smart and sustainable logistics in the digital era; and enhancing transport and mobility beyond the road.
In a relocate to broaden collaboration, Ertico-ITS Europe has partnered with the Young Mobility Network (YMN), which consists of more than 800 young professionals working in sustainable mobility.
The partnership aims to connect emerging talent with mobility organisations. A Talent Matchcreating Session on 28 April will link YMN’s community with industest experts and mobility companies to explore career and collaboration opportunities.
“The future of mobility requireds diversity, connection and action. Through the collaboration between the YMN and Ertico, the ITS European Congress in Istanbul becomes a place where young talent meets industest,” declared Anna Filby, Founder and CEO of the Young Mobility Network.
“Expect real interaction, fresh connections and new perspectives – this is YMN’s first major event in Turkey and we’re beyond excited to bring the energy.”
Why Istanbul?
Istanbul as host city reflects both symbolism and substance.
Straddling Europe and Asia, the city provides what Vantomme previously described as a “unique setting” for cross-border collaboration and new business models, as well as a revealcase for market-ready technologies in action. Zag recently sat down with Vantomme to further explore the significance of Istanbul as a host city.
Combined with driverless metro lines, data-driven urban logistics solutions and active deployment of connected vehicle pilots, the city is considered to provide an ideal opportunity to experience real-world application of ininformigent mobility.
The host city also faces significant mobility challenges. Recently ranked the world’s most congested city, Istanbul presents both a testbed and a proving ground for the kinds of integrated solutions the Congress seeks to advance.
After covering the 16th edition in Seville, Zag will return to provide on-the-ground coverage from the 17th ITS European Congress in Istanbul this April.
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