Webinar: ITS stories from the war in Ukraine

In a recent webinar, ERTICO’s TM 2.0 Innovation Platform explored the vital role of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in critical situations, such as the war in Ukraine and situations when the lives of people are in grave danger, such as wildfires, floods and earthquakes. Dr. Johanna Tzanidaki, Chief Innovation Officer at ERTICO - ITS Europe, moderated the discussion and highlighted how ITS can serve as a tool to save lives in these extreme scenarios.
Urban Mobility and Uncertainties
Pedro Barradas, President of ITS Portugal, and Chief Strategy Officer of ARMIS ITS, discussed how uncertainties, like the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted cities to rethink urban spaces. This led to the implementation of low-emission zones and urban vehicle access regulations (UVARs) to combat climate change. Flexibility, redundancy, robustness and information sharing are the characteristics that all our transportation systems should have in order to guarantee that they can serve their users at all times.
ITS as a life saving tool in Kyiv
Oleg Polovynko, Advisor to the Mayor on Digitalisation in Kyiv, shared how the city's focus shifted from enhancing public transportation amid population growth and increasing vehicles before the war towards addressing the unforeseen challenges of the aggressions that started in 2022 and have culminated into war. Innovative adaptations of the city’s transport system, such as using the city transportation digital app for information dissemination on safe shelter during air attacks. Kiev's use of its transportation Digital app, served its citizens with a lifeline to real-time information on air raid notifications and evacuation routes. The app also offers vital services such as information on available pharmacies and car services, which enhanced Kyiv’s robust infrastructure, supported by cybersecurity, and redundancy measures.
Uber’s Balancing Act
Georgii Sokolianskyi, Director of Driver Operations at Uber EMEA, described the delicate balance between safety and service provision during the conflict. Uber's operational model transformed to meet surging evacuation demands, showcasing the resilience of drivers. The company took the decision to not discontinue its operations in Ukraine and not betray the trust of its users. Continuing to operate became a lifeline for citizens and medical supplies and a poignant reminder of the human element at the heart of every ride, even amidst the most dire of circumstances.
TomTom's Critical Emergencies Role
Stephanie Leonard, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs at TomTom, highlighted the crucial role of real-time traffic information in managing emergencies. TomTom's expertise extends from natural disasters to geopolitical issues, emphasizing the need for global cooperation. TomTom’ expertise in location technology extends beyond conventional disasters. They respond swiftly to wildfires, hurricanes, winter closures, and even unforeseen events like active shootings and police activity. With regards to the war in Ukraine, the company decided to intentionally take out of their location maps the positions of underground parking spaces as these serve as shelters during bomb raids. The Ukrainian conflict challenged the limits of technology, with TomTom adapting to ensure safety.
Technology for Resilience in ITS
The experiences shared by the two companies and the city of Kyiv underscored the need for global solidarity and innovative ITS solutions in crisis management.
In conclusion, the webinar demonstrated how ITS can be harnessed for the greater good, emphasizing adaptability, collaboration, and innovation in crisis response. It serves as a powerful reminder of our collective capability to make a meaningful impact and build a future of robust, compassionate, and lifesaving systems.
Read the full summary article here: erticonetwork....