ITS IN EUROPE 2007: AALBORG, DENMARK

WELCOME LETTERS

• Jacques Barrot, Vice President and Commissioner for Transport, European Commission
• Flemming Hansen, Minister for Transport and Energy, Denmark
• Orla Hav, Chairman of North Denmark Region, Denmark
• Monica Sundström, Chairman, ERTICO - ITS Europe Supervisory Board

In my role as Vice-President responsible for Transport in the European Union, I intend to promote intelligent transport systems and innovation in transport. Using intelligence built into our vehicles and infrastructure can only have a positive long-term contribution to resolving the problems we face in terms of congestion, reliability, security and the environment. The introduction of intelligent transport systems (ITS) will greatly facilitate the interaction of modes working together in sophisticated logistics chains.

Our transport policy White Paper stresses the role of intelligent transport systems in meeting this challenge of delivering fast, reliable and safe transport networks across the European Union.

European Union support for ITS continues across all modes of transport and will more and more seek to draw on the advantages of each of the transport modes working together in combination. The separate modes stand to benefit from the development of the GALILEO satellite navigation system. In the coming years I expect that ITS will occupy an even stronger place in EU policy, both in terms of promoting the outcomes of research and in assisting to bring maturing transport technologies into daily use.

The past decade has also seen profound changes to the way enterprises organise their logistics operations. The days when enterprises separated out their various functions such as order processing, production planning, warehousing, and transport are in the past. Nowadays, there is a consolidation of these operations evolving into well-developed logistical supply chain management. Information and Communication Technologies will play a particularly important role in this process and by using these technologies the flow of goods and the information relating to them, whether for commercial or administrative purposes, will come closer together leading to more efficient management.

To succeed in today's global and highly competitive economy, Europe needs to optimise its performance in many areas. Enterprises increasingly identify the optimal logistics to ensure their resources are used as efficiently as possible. Optimal logistics rely on seamless co-modal transport networks where all modes complement each other. Reliability and price effectiveness are the challenge.

My aim, as European Commissioner responsible for Transport, is to optimise the use of the European transport network using all the most up-to-date tools and services available from intelligent transport systems and logistics. I wish you a successful Congress, and look forward to working together in moving Europe forward.

Jacques Barrot,
Vice President and Commissioner for Transport,
European Commission

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As Minister for Transport and Energy I am delighted that Denmark will be hosting the 6th European Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems and Services.

The main aim of the Congress is to show the successful development and deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems and Services and showcase the tremendous progress both in Denmark and across Europe. I trust this Congress will provide an excellent overview of the latest developments in Intelligent Transport and Services, which will provide citizens with efficient, safe and sustainable mobility. Managing increased volumes of traffic in an efficient and sustainable manner is one of the most important challenges facing Europe, and I encourage international co-operation and a joint approach in the field.

I am sure the Congress will form an excellent basis for furthering ITS developments across Europe.

Flemming Hansen,
Minister for Transport and Energy,
Denmark

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As Chairman of the North Denmark Region, I would like to welcome you to Aalborg in June 2007. Aalborg is a perfect setting for hosting this Congress, both due to its excellent congress facilities, but also due to the fact that the region, for many years, has been at the forefront of developments within Intelligent Transport Systems and Services.

Our region will therefore provide excellent opportunities for seeing ITS in practice and to demonstrate new ideas in a competent environment. Policy makers, network operators, researchers and industry will all be present and it will be easy to exchange experiences and to set up Business-to-Business meetings.

This Congress is of utmost importance to everyone involved in the development and deployment of ITS, so I do hope you will participate in this event, which is so much more than just a conference.

On behalf of the region and the City of Aalborg, I look forward to welcoming you to Aalborg and to giving you an unforgetable experience in this lovely part of Denmark.

Orla Hav,
Chairman of North Denmark Region,
Denmark

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On behalf of ERTICO - ITS Europe and its Partners, I am very pleased to invite you to the 6th “ITS in Europe” Congress and Exhibition to be held in Aalborg, Denmark on 18-20 June 2007.

There are a number of key reasons why Aalborg is such an ideal host city for the event. Located in the Region of North Jutland, Aalborg is known as the "IT lighthouse" of Denmark, as its University educates the highest number of engineers in the country and the region is known for its electronics, telecommunications and mechanical engineering industries. The Region has also earned its place as a traffic hub for the transport of goods to all of Scandinavia, and is part of the Nordic Link cooperation between Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It is also experiencing tremendous ITS development. Last but not least, Aalborg is a dynamic and lively city full of history and modern art, and is situated close to the largest Scandinavian Viking burial site.

Aalborg has chosen the Congress theme of 'Time for Intelligent Move', and the event will focus on business, organisational and social models for deploying ITS - and in particular, the innovative ways of financing mobility. The various sessions will showcase concrete ITS solutions for improving road safety, the security of goods, people and vehicles as well as transport efficiency. Intermodal transport will also feature in the Congress programme as well as sessions dedicated to determining how ITS can help reduce the environmental impact of mobility. The concurrent Exhibition will serve to display these related innovations with the entire ITS community.

I am certain that Congress delegates will enjoy delightful Denmark at its midsummer best, bask in warm Danish hospitality and make the most of Aalborg’s cultural attractions during their stay.

Aalborg 2007 promises to be an exceptional event for all stakeholders involved in ITS. I do encourage you make an 'intelligent move' and participate in this Congress!

Monica Sundström,
Chairman,
ERTICO - ITS Europe Supervisory Board

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