The broader transport environment is undergoing rapid transformation and Smart Mobility is all about moving people, goods and services more efficiently from door to door.  Strategies to overcome the challenges of the “first-mile-last-mile” in the mobility value chain will give impetus to public transport and enhance interoperability between all modes with a commuter-centric focus.

Urbanisation is growing unabated and causes a high demand for public transportation solutions. The United Nations strongly suggests that this percentage will increase from the current 50% level of people living in cities to 70% within four decades. The future of commuting via public transit is supported by leveraging technology to promote savings and sustainability. The energy and cost efficiency of the public transportation system directly affects urban cities. A Smart City is unthinkable without efficient Public Transport driven by the dual demands of sustainability and smart mobility.

In 2017 and 2018 the Intelligent Transport Society of South Africa (ITSSA) and the Africa Chapter of the International Public Transport Association (UATP) successfully collaborated to host a knowledge-sharing and networking event to promote smart mobility solutions.  Public Transport (PT) and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are fundamental for improving mobility. The collaboration elevated the biennial i-Transport Conference and Exhibition that ITSSA has been hosted every second year since 2001 towards taking a more holistic approach on Smart Mobility solutions. Subsequently significant progress has been made to put integrated and seamless mobility high on the agenda for active steps by multiple stakeholders.

The ITSSA and UATP will again partner to host the  2020 Smart Mobility Conference and Exhibition, supported by the International Public Transport Association (UITP).

The synergies released through the joint efforts exceeded expectations and supported by industry feedback, this flagship conference and exhibition will take place in October 2020 as a co-operative project to assist the Public Transport, Intelligent Transport and related industry sectors in pursuing our shared strategic objectives. Raising the cooperation to a higher level, this event will be structured as the Smart Mobility Conference and Exhibition.