Global transport systems face increasing pressure to decarbonise, improve equity, and enhance resilience. ITS play a pivotal role in this transition, offering data‑driven, digital solutions that support sustainable, efficient, and user‑centric mobility.

This high‑impact summary synthesises global developments across Europe, North America, Asia‑Pacific, and emerging economies, highlighting practical applications, technological innovations, and systemic challenges in embedding ITS for sustainability.

Across all regions, ITS deployments are delivering measurable benefits in modal shift, network efficiency, reduced emissions, improved safety, and enhanced inclusiveness. However, progress is uneven due to inconsistent data standards, fragmented governance, gaps in digital capability, and workforce upskilling needs.

The report demonstrates that ITS solutions—ranging from AI‑driven public transport optimisation to V2X safety systems, MaaS (mobility as a service) integration, real‑time emissions monitoring, and smart parking—are enabling transport authorities to make more informed decisions and influence user behaviour toward more sustainable modes.

Recommendations

The following recommendations are provided for network operators and decision makers:

• Recommendation 1 – Consider strategic objectives and how ITS can help achieve them; for example improving public transport, cycling, and walking infrastructure and/or disincentivising car use

• Recommendation 2 – Understand road users’ needs using the wealth of data about the movement of vehicles and people, and communicate with the public to influence their travel choices

• Recommendation 3 – Improve the accessibility, safety and facilities of public transport and active travel modes to encourage modal shift away from car use

• Recommendation 4 – Assess social inequality and how it can be addressed through ITS; ensuring initiatives do not disadvantage people with lower incomes, and using ITS to support low-cost travel options, such as active travel.

• Recommendation 5 – Consider providing open data and upskilling workforces to support transparency and encourage innovation to maximise the benefits from modern transport systems.

• Recommendation 6 – Provide guidance to help less-experienced road network operators, particularly in newer aspects such as MaaS, AI-empowered tools, and predictive network management.