Revolution in local transport: UITP congress started in Hamburg!

Revolution in local transport: UITP congress started in Hamburg!

The start of the UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg is in full swing! On Sunday, June 15th, the important local transport congress opened its doors in the exhibition halls and attracted more than 10,000 trade visitors from all over the world. The event, which runs until Wednesday, is a central meeting point for experts concerned with the future of public transport and tackling congestion in urban areas. The NDR reports that the central theme of the event is autonomous driving, which is becoming increasingly important in the wake of digitalization.

Around 400 exhibitors will present their latest transport products at this congress. We are particularly excited about the presentation of the fully autonomous ID.Buzz from VW in cooperation with the shared taxi provider Moia, which will take place on Tuesday. Furthermore, the Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (HVV) is showing its visionary “stop of the future”, equipped with an AI-supported avatar that acts as a travel assistant. Another highlight is the presentation of 25 autonomously driving electric bus lines by Moia, which are already being used in city traffic.

Innovations and digital solutions

Another exciting part of the congress is the presentation of the Urban Data Platform Hamburg (UDP_HH). This digital platform enables a virtual representation of the physical environment in urban areas and provides decision support for urban planning, political and administrative decisions. Based on over 600 datasets from basic geodata, the UDP_HH aims to improve urban development through interaction and citizen participation. It can be viewed as an immersive 3D experience that allows users to interact with VR models in real time - an innovation that will be further expanded until the end of 2025, as can be seen on the UITP website.

In addition, the funding program for autonomous and connected driving, which was officially introduced on September 2, 2022, will also be discussed at the event. This program aims to promote digitalization and automation in the mobility sector. Particular attention is paid to improving intermodal mobility offerings and developing the “first and last mile”. Applications can be submitted by a variety of groups, including companies and research institutes, as communicated by the funding database.

A look into the future

The discussions about sustainable transport and innovative transport concepts can be felt throughout the entire congress. The exhibitors and speakers have a good knack for progress and show how important it is to revolutionize local transport. The Mobility Festival, which took place at Jungfernstieg, also provides insight into the local mobility culture and the change that is already underway in the Hanseatic city. Against the background of increasing urban challenges, it is of immense importance that suitable solutions are found that not only address today's problems, but also look into the future.

Overall, the UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg promises not only interesting technical discussions, but also a lively platform that brings generations of transport experts together. An event that moves – not just in the figurative sense!