Officially launched in Istanbul, the journey toward another edition of Europe’s leading smart mobility event is now underway. From 27–29 April 2026, the 17th ITS European Congress will bring the entire transport and mobility ecosystem together in a city that exemplifies this year’s theme: “Bridging innovation: Integrated, safe and seamless mobility.”
The Congress life cycle was formally launched during a dedicated reception held in Istanbul on 18 June, bringing together senior representatives from the host city, including the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and ISBAK, as well as supporting national institutions alongside local industry leaders.
Set at the convergence point of two continents and at the forefront of a bold mobility transformation, Istanbul is more than a destination—it is a demonstration of how intelligent transport systems can shape future-ready cities.
Why Istanbul – Why Now?
Istanbul offers a unique combination of scale, speed, and strategic vision. With its evolving transport infrastructure, AI-powered mobility systems, and commitment to multimodal integration, the city provides a living showcase of deployment in action—from traffic digitalisation to resilience planning and public-private innovation.
“Istanbul is a city that has pioneered transportation systems in history. The Tünel Metro is our treasure as the second metro system of the world,” said Nuri Aslan, Acting Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM).
“The Congress will allow participants to observe and experience how a metropolis is effectively managed with Intelligent Transportation Systems that combine historical heritage with modern technologies.”
The city’s approach is rooted in accessibility, resilience, and inclusion, making it one of the few global metropolises where next-generation transport modes like Metrobus, Marmaray, Air Rail, and Sea Taxi are integrated with traditional networks to serve over 16 million people daily.
“With the ITS European Congress 2026, we will illustrate to the world that Istanbul is not only a cultural capital, but also a metropolis where the heart of technology and innovation beats,” said Erdem Samut, Acting General Manager of ISBAK.
“This Congress is a historic opportunity to consolidate Istanbul’s place on the global arena as a technology brand and to prepare the ground for new international collaborations.”
What to Expect in 2026
The 17th ITS European Congress will offer three days of insight, dialogue and engagement across multiple content pillars:
- High-Level Programme: Where high-level public and private leaders debate the future of European mobility
- Technical Programme: Presentations and discussions featuring real-world use cases, research, and deployment stories
- ITS Arena: Connecting buyers and decision-makers with solutions, from emerging players to market leaders
- Exhibition & Demonstrations: A live stage for transport technologies in action—on the show floor and in the streets of Istanbul
Throughout the programme, the Congress will explore how innovation bridges modes, sectors and geographies, supporting the delivery of Integrated, safe and seamless mobility.
The Call for Contributions will open later this year in September, inviting experts and innovators from across Europe and beyond to shape the Congress Programme.
