FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nashville, Tenn. (April 24, 2012) – The Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s (ITS America) 23rd Annual Meeting & Exposition concluded today in Nashville, Tenn., with all parties declaring it a major success. The event brought together nearly 2,000 of the nation’s top transportation officials, business and technology leaders, researchers and policymakers.
Scott Belcher, President and CEO of ITS America, called the meeting one of the best ever. “This year’s meeting fostered an incredible exchange of ideas and solutions with levels of collaboration between private sector and government that are rarely seen,” he said.
During the four-day event transportation and technology leaders explored solutions for easing traffic congestion, financing and improving the nation’s transportation system, advancing life-saving vehicle technologies, and much more through exhibits, panel discussions, technology demonstrations, technical tours, training sessions and networking events.
The event showcased innovative technologies and solutions being developed and implemented across the U.S. including connected vehicles, adaptive traffic signals, advanced traffic and incident management systems, electronic tolling and pricing systems, freight management systems, smart mobility apps, and real-time traffic, transit, navigation and parking information.
This year’s Annual Meeting featured more public sector participation than ever before, including nearly 20 state DOT CEOs and hundreds of federal, state and local officials from across the country. As governments at all levels are being asked to do more with less, transportation leaders are increasingly turning to intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to make the nation’s roads, public transit systems and freight network more efficient and cost-effective, while providing commuters and highway users with more convenient, innovative travel options.
As has become a tradition at ITS America meetings, the gathering featured a who’s who of transportation leaders from across the innovation spectrum including:
- Polly Trottenberg - Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT)
- Victor Mendez - Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. DOT
- David Strickland - Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. DOT
- Greg Winfree - Deputy Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S. DOT
- The Honorable Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Vice Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee
- The Honorable Karl Dean - Mayor, City of Nashville
- Dan Ferrick - CEO, Agero
- Kamyar Moinzadeh - President and CEO, Airbiquity
- Tom Taylor - Vice President of Advanced Strategies, Hughes Telematics (A Verizon Co.)
- Dennis Beal - Vice President of Global Vehicles, FedEx Express
- John Schroer - Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Transportation
- Brad Dennard - National ITS Director, Atkins
The Annual Meeting also marks the first official gathering of the ITS America Leadership Circle. The Leadership Circle is an important new initiative with two main goals: to raise the level and creativity of the intelligent transportation conversation and to unify the industry’s political and business influence. “As our industry grows, it’s important to foster disruptive conversation in order to generate space for innovation to develop,” said Scott Belcher. “We expect the Leadership Circle to play a key role in influencing the national debate around how to use technology to address our nation’s transportation challenges.”
In September 2014, ITS America will host the global World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems to be held in the home of America’s auto industry, Detroit, MI. The event is expected to attract more than 10,000 industry, government and research leaders from the United States, Europe and Asia and will showcase the latest ITS applications from around the world.
CONTACT:
Ashley Simmons: (202) 721-4218 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Pete Spiller: (407) 683-0045 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Jarrod Cady: (321) 356-5240 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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The Intelligent Transportation Society of America represents more than 450 member organizations including public agencies, private corporations, and academic institutions involved in the research, development, and deployment of technologies that improve safety, increase mobility, and sustain the environment. For more information, visit www.itsa.org.