With the 30th ITS World Congress on the horizon this September 16-20 in Dubai, we are excited to share this exclusive interview featuring two leaders in the field of smart mobility: Jon Newhard, CEO of Yunex Traffic and Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe who share their perspectives on the future of mobility and the ITS sector. They discuss the role of emerging technologies and what it takes to turn technological possibilities into real-world projects and bring genuine innovation to the streets.
As a valued member of the ERTICO – ITS Europe Partnership, and Congress Partner for the third consecutive year, we are pleased to continue this journey with Yunex Traffic. Through this unique interview dialogue, we highlight some of the most important elements for the future of mobility and the ITS sector.
Welcome, and thank you both for joining this conversation.
Joost: Thank you for inviting us to share our reflections on the future of mobility and the ITS industry.
Jon: I’m eager to dive into this conversation and exchange ideas!
As we look ahead to the ITS World Congress in Dubai, there’s a sense of excitement about the future of mobility. To start our conversation, could you each share your thoughts on what you believe are the most important technical innovations and trends disrupting the ITS industry?
Joost: From my perspective, the ITS industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years, driven by key technical innovations as well as societal and economic factors. Currently, we experience the transformative power of technologies such as 5G, edge and quantum computing, generative AI, and machine learning that revolutionize the ITS landscape. There are also emerging trends in autonomous mobility, with driverless vehicles and remote driving operations becoming more prevalent. These advancements are enhancing data availability and sharing, which are critical for more sustainable, safer and more efficient mobility solutions. There is also a growing interconnection to experience with other industries such as telecommunications, IT, and the energy sector.
Jon: Absolutely, if I were to sum it up in one sentence: Data is key. From an end-user perspective, the three predominant trends shaping urban mobility today are digitization, artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous driving. These trends are interconnected with other industries and with each other. Digitization involves transforming physical infrastructure into virtualized systems, which allows the ITS industry to leverage advancements in cloud and edge computing. This transformation is not unique to the ITS industry but is part of a broader technological shift affecting multiple industries. This trend seamlessly integrates with autonomous driving. Currently, we rely on products designed to detect vehicles, but in the future, vehicles themselves will be capable of self-detection and data sharing. This includes sharing information about their speed, origin, destination, and more. This form of self-reporting capability will drastically improve traffic management and safety. AI, although often misunderstood and overhyped, is another critical trend. In the ITS sector, AI is used effectively to process vast amounts of data quickly, identifying patterns and suggesting optimal solutions based on historical data. For instance, AI-enabled solutions such as Yutraffic FUSION analyze traffic situations in real-time, compare them to past events, and recommend the best course of action to keep the traffic flowing and reduce emissions. Solutions like Yutraffic awareAI help to increase safety at intersections by processing images in real-time and anonymously analyzing the movements of all road users. This enables dynamic adjustments of green lights to enhance safety for vulnerable road users, such as elderly pedestrians who may require more time to cross streets.
Another critical aspect to consider when talking about these technological trends is interoperability, which is essential for leveraging existing data and ensuring seamless integration across different transport modes.
Joost: Yes, we’re moving towards integrated mobility ecosystems that break down traditional silos. Interoperability is crucial for providing seamless transitions between different transport modes, enhancing the overall user experience. Commuters should, for example, be able to use connected booking and payment systems for various forms of transportation.
Speaking of AI and data, how can traditional companies that have operated in the ITS industry for decades continue to play a significant role in developing innovative, data-driven solutions amidst new competitors like Microsoft, Amazon, or Google entering the market?
Jon: I would not consider tech giants as competitors, because I believe that they have a different role in driving innovation forward. For companies operating in the ITS industry, I am convinced that the key factor for securing their success is maintaining in close relationships with customers and leveraging deep domain expertise. It’s not about trying to outpace tech giants in developing AI technologies. Instead, our focus should be on really APPLYING these tools effectively because we understand our industry intimately, and our customers trust us to comprehend their needs and challenges, always working in their best interests. At Yunex Traffic, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating closely with leading customers worldwide, including here in Dubai. Through joint development initiatives and customer focus groups, we’ve helped them achieve their goals swiftly and safely. Culturally, this underscores that success in our field is as much about being customer-centric as it is about mastering cutting-edge technology – though we must excel in both domains to lead the way forward.
Joost: I agree with Jon’s perspective. While tech giants drive innovation on a large scale, companies in the ITS industry excel in deep domain expertise. Their primary focus should be effectively applying AI and other technologies to develop solutions that address customers’ challenges. It’s also crucial that these solutions are user-friendly and practical for the end users. In other words, the complexity level must be reduced.
Jon, based on your extensive experience working with customers, what do you see as the primary challenges for public administrations, cities, and public institutions in effectively implementing innovative mobility solutions, and how can these obstacles be overcome?
Jon: One major challenge is the conservative nature of many agencies responsible for public safety. Their primary concern is that any new technology could potentially impair safety, so they often take a cautious approach to innovation. This caution is understandable and necessary given the stakes involved. To address this, we recommend that these agencies rely on trusted advisors, including vendor partners and other established agencies, to identify what works. By drawing on the expertise and experience of these trusted sources, agencies can gain confidence in adopting new technologies that have been proven to be safe and effective.
Another substantial obstacle is funding. Innovative mobility solutions often require significant investment, and securing the necessary funding can be a non-trivial challenge. However, there are often external funding opportunities available to help overcome this barrier. Government grants, public-private partnerships, and other financing options can provide the necessary resources to support the adoption of advanced mobility technologies.
Building on that, let’s explore the role of industry associations in this process. Joost, what role do leading industry associations like ERTICO play to support that innovation is no longer a theoretical construct but happens in the ITS industry?
Joost: To enable real transformation and innovation in the ITS industry, it’s crucial to connect various stakeholders and bring a wide range of experts to the table. This facilitates the exchange of ideas, allows us to benefit from potential synergies, and provides opportunities to build potential partnerships and learn from each other.
As a public-private partnership organisation, ERTICO connects eight sectors across the broader ecosystem in Intelligent Transport Systems and Smart Mobility. With members from service providers, suppliers, traffic and transport industry to research institutions, universities, public authorities, user organisations, connectivity industry and vehicle manufacturers, we work together to facilitate, support and promote mobility innovation through co-funded research projects, innovation platforms and activities such as the ERTICO Academy and City Moonshot. We also drive industry conversation through our thought leadership initiatives, ‘Connecting Dots & Talks’ Podcast, ‘Thought Leadership Webinar Series’, as well as research-based publications ‘ITS Market Radar Report’ on the latest trends across the entire mobility ecosystem. Ultimately, we bridge gaps between sectors, regions and continents with the aim of fostering collaboration and shaping the future of intelligent transportation.
That sounds like a lot of great initiatives. So, we have public administrations and institutions on one side and a broad set of private companies and further industry stakeholders on the other, working hand in hand on innovative solutions. How can they benefit from each other?
Joost: Public institutions and private companies can greatly enhance mobility by fostering true dialogue and open communication about needs, barriers, and solutions to ensure a shared understanding and more effective partnerships. For this, data sharing is crucial. By exchanging information, both, cities, governments, public institutions and private companies can gain insights, optimize services, and innovate to meet specific mobility needs. Creating supportive policy frameworks which encourage innovation, private sector involvement, and public-private partnerships, but also collaborative infrastructure investments are key.
How can policy frameworks and political decisions best support these initiatives?
Joost: To support users and customers worldwide in implementing innovative solutions, regulations and political decisions should foster customer choice and convenience while ensuring fair and equal access to the mobility system. These regulations should acknowledge technological progress without being overly prescriptive, embracing a stance of technology neutrality.
Which areas would require regulatory attention from a political perspective?
Joost: Interoperability is a key and regulations must enable seamless interaction between public and private sectors, across different countries, and among various transport modes. Standardization is also a crucial element in this endeavour, facilitating consistency and cooperation across the board. Regulations should also address situations where market forces fail to deliver optimal outcomes, particularly in critical areas such as safety. In these cases, imposing mandates is necessary to protect and benefit the public, but it is also equally important that regulations encourage the deployment of innovative solutions while leaving ample room for the market to capitalise on these innovations.
Specific areas that require regulatory attention include both physical and digital infrastructure, ensuring robust and resilient systems. Data sharing and availability are vital for fostering innovation and efficiency, necessitating clear specifications for interoperability and standards. The deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure is another critical area, supporting sustainability throughout the value chain from manufacturing to recycling. Other important elements such as (cyber)security and resilience are paramount, requiring stringent standards to protect the system and its users. Safety and consumer protection should always be at the forefront of regulatory considerations, ensuring that innovative solutions do not compromise these essential aspects.
Thank you both for sharing your insights with us!
As CEO of ERTICO, the organizer of the ITS World Congress, what can we expect from the upcoming ITS World Congress in Dubai, Joost?
Joost: Globally, the ITS World Congress fosters strategic partnerships by bringing together stakeholders, industry leaders, and decision-makers from around the world. The event is a platform to connect leaders to enhance their business networks and opens up new market opportunities for the global ITS industry. The ITS World Congress also acts as a hub for networking, connecting different regions and facilitating the sharing of best practices and cutting-edge technologies.
As uniting the public and private sectors is part of our DNA at ERTICO and we are pleased to bridge the gap between industries, sectors and continents. Organizing this event in the UAE for the first time is a unique opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and create new ones across the globe. As this year’s Congress marks its 30th edition, we anticipate a remarkable display of the latest innovations and new technologies from across the globe. Featuring a comprehensive programme with high-level sessions, the Congress offers something for everyone. We will also host an exclusive Summit on the Future of Mobility, inviting top decision-makers, governmental representatives, mayors, municipalities, regional authorities, and industry leaders for critical discussions on sustainable mobility benchmarks.
Another key feature will be the impressive exhibition where companies and organisations have the opportunity to present their cutting-edge technologies and the latest solutions and services to visitors. There will also be a showcase of real-world applications through live demonstrations, exlusively for exhibitors, and technical visits ranging from renowned landmarks of Dubai such as the Museum of the Future, to innovative sites of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (DEWA Innovation Center) and Dubai Intelligent Traffic Systems Centre and much more
And what are you especially looking forward to?
Joost: I am particularly looking forward to the opening day where the Future of Mobility Summit will take place, looking into the possibilities of establishing global indicators to measure the impact of mobility transitions, and the progress towards sustainability goals. I am also eager to see all the latest innovations from all four corners of the world. As a prime platform for sharing cutting-edge technologies and best practices, it will be an invaluable chance for everyone to demonstrate their advancements and learn from others. Finally, Dubai’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and ambitious initiatives provide an ideal setting for these dynamic interactions.
Jon: I am particularly looking forward to engaging with industry leaders and customers, sharing visions and using this platform to elaborate new partnerships and opportunities to build solutions that are answering tomorrow´s mobility challenges starting today.
Thank you both for talking to us and sharing your perspectives!
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