Todt highlighted convergences between road safety and the pursuance of cleaner mobility, insisting on the interdependence of the solutions to be implemented to improve either one of these areas.

He emphasized the role of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the process: “ITS are a major enabler: ITS are tools that will change the transport culture, tools that can curb excess and unnecessary polluting, highly enhance the safety of individuals and goods in the transportation ecosystem, improve mobility, mitigate traffic congestion and thus contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions.”

Christian Friis Bach, Director General of UNECE and Eva Molnar, Director of UNECE’s Sustainable Transport Division were also in attendance to deliver remarks.

The discussion went on over the morning, as other panellists from the private and the public sector delivered presentations on the road towards a more intelligent mobility. Participants agreed that environmental efficiency and safer cars and infrastructures were building blocks of equal importance to reduce emissions. Accessibility & affordability were also part of the debate.

Finally, on the issue of ITS deployment. Jean Todt emphasized that ITS were first and foremost a consumer-oriented matter, and that progress would be ensured through grassroots-inspired partnerships. He stated: “From a consumer perspective, ITS deployment should be acceptable, convenient, reliable, robust, safe & secure, cost effective and fair.  The broader consumer community has been working with the governments and the ITS community around the world to make sure that only new technology, reflecting these criteria, are deployed”.

The ITS World Congress is the global Forum & Expo on Intelligent Transport Systems and is taking place from 5 to 9 October 2015 in Bordeaux, France.