A Smashing Success for 2010 ITS America Annual Meeting & Expo

2010.03.28

(Date: 28 May, 2010)

Over 2,000 people gathered in Houston, Texas, last week for the ITS America Annual Meeting and Exposition. This was our biggest and most successful program to date, and the Houston area provides many great examples of how technology is transforming America’s transportation system, as well as a superb look at what the future will bring for ITS. For those who weren’t able to attend, here are a few of the highlights and online resources that may be of interest:

• * U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and IBM Chairman and CEO Sam Palmisano came together to discuss their visions for the nation’s transportation future, including how technology can improve safety, mobility, and the environment. Video from the Closing Plenary is available here , which also features previews of the 17th ITS World Congress in Busan, Korea and the 18th ITS World Congress in Orlando, Florida. Secretary LaHood’s remarks are available here, and Mr. Palmisano’s speech is online here.
• *Over 125 companies and agencies packed the exhibit floor and demonstrated the latest ITS technology solutions, while the Best of ITS from across the county were recognized at our welcome reception and awards ceremony which featured remarks by Congressmen Pete Olson and Gene Green . Photos from this and other events are on our Facebook page.
• *The meeting boasted a record number of officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT ) including senior policy staff and USDOT modal administrators who shared their vision for how ITS solutions can improve safety, reduce congestion, and create more livable and sustainable communities. In conjunction with the Annual Meeting, Secretary LaHood also convened a USDOT Surface Transportation Reauthorization Outreach meeting where he was joined by Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Polly Trottenberg, Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs/CFO
  Chris Bertram , RITA Administrator Peter Appel and Deputy Administrator Robert Bertini, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee , ITS America President and CEO Scott Belcher, and other public and private sector transportation and ITS leaders to discuss the reauthorization bill and pressing issues facing the nation’s transportation system.
• * An outstanding educational and business program showcased nearly 60 Executive, Special, Technical and Interactive Sessions including five Forum Showcases highlighting projects and hot industry topics from sustainable transportation to a distracted driving session with NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. Links to the USDOT presentations are available here .
• *ITS America also welcomed many of our partner organizations for ancillary events held during the Annual Meeting including the USDOT, AASHTO, Texas Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, WTS International, Texas Towing & Storage Association, North America Super Corridor Coalition (NASCO), Houston-Galveston Regional Safety Council (RSC), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Transportation Security Center of Excellence.
• Visit the ITS America website for additional photos and information. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the 17th ITS World Congress in Busan, Korea from October 25 – 29, 2010 and the 18th ITS World Congress in Orlando, Florida from October 16 – 20, 2011.

* “This article has been brought to you as part of the cooperation between ITS America and ITS Japan.”