The 30th ITS World Congress, held from September 16-20 in Dubai, highlighted advancements in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and smart mobility, focusing on automated mobility, clean energy, urban transportation, and logistics innovations. Over five days, the event emphasized collaboration and technology’s role in shaping the future of transport.

At the ERTICO European Pavillion, attendees had a chance to explore active EU-funded and co-funded projects, including FRODDO. Representatives of the FRODDO project actively engaged with stakeholders and visitors, discussing key topics such as automated mobility, clean energy, and AI-driven urban transportation.

Automated mobility was a major theme, with over 50 papers and 30 sessions. While development is global, regional differences shape use cases. Asia-Pacific led with 40% of submissions, focusing on shared, on-demand services like automated ride-pooling. Deployment has been slower than expected, and no standard business model exists, but safety, regulatory frameworks, and public acceptance remain key to its future success.

Clean mobility sessions explored the role of intelligent systems in reducing emissions and promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative fuels. As cities work to cut greenhouse gases and improve air quality, clean mobility has shifted from a niche topic to a mainstream priority.

Urban mobility discussions centered on AI for traffic management, predictive technologies, and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication. AI’s role in improving traffic and safety, including pedestrian detection, was highlighted. Digital twins—virtual models of transport systems—also gained attention as key to future planning.

Additionally, the Congress also explored future logistics solutions, such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for cargo and 6G communication technologies for better connectivity in remote areas. The discussions underscored the growing demand for adaptable, future-proof solutions in both passenger and goods transport.

Overall, the topics and discussions at the 30th ITS World Congress closely aligned with the objectives and vision of the FRODDO project. Key themes such as automated mobility, AI-driven solutions, digital twin environments, and secure V2X communication reflected FRODDO’s focus on enhancing vehicle safety, adaptability, and real-time decision-making capabilities. The Congress’s emphasis on sustainable transportation, reducing emissions, and improving traffic management through intelligent systems directly resonated with FRODDO’s goal of creating a safer, more efficient, and user-centric transportation ecosystem. This alignment underscores FRODDO’s contribution to the broader vision of smart mobility.

Experts stressed that the future of transportation is data-driven, automated, and digitally integrated, with AI playing a critical role. This also aligns with FRODDO’s vision of a future where automated an connected vehicles can safely navigate any road or environmental condition and are a seamless part of everyday life.