Track Focus: Technology
Adapt. Adopt. Improve. Technological innovations are transforming urban mobility, and this presents both challenges and opportunities for the public transport sector.
How can public transport organisations best utilise technology to improve operations, reduce costs, cut emissions, and ultimately support a world of sustainable mobility?
At the UITP Hamburg Summit on 15-18 June 2025, the world’s public transport professionals will hold four days of activities and discussions covering the most important topics in the public transport sector. And that includes sessions on the impact of technology on urban mobility and public transport.
Why Technology in Public Transport?
From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to cybersecurity, electrification, smart digital ticketing and much more, technology can protect, improve, and grow public transport.
Imagine a world of seamless, smart, and energy-efficient mobility – that’s a future shaped both by technology and the discussions that over 10,000 participants from over 100 countries will have at the UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg.
5 Discussions About Technologies for Change You Can Expect at the UITP Summit 2025:
Autonomous mobility – New opportunities and challenges
Are we finally ready for the large-scale deployment of automated vehicles? The impact of autonomous mobility merits a discussion across the sector, ranging from the practical use of automation in buses and trams to what it means for the current public transport workforce as much as the future one – what skills will be needed in the future thanks to autonomous mobility?
Already, some cities operate autonomous vehicles without safety drivers and have implemented the regulatory frameworks to manage them. But can operators and authorities elsewhere refine their strategies to join their ranks? The UITP Summit is the place to network and hear the lessons learned and best practices of public transport professionals working in those cities that are ahead of the curve.
Cybersecurity that advances and protects operations
Every new piece of digital infrastructure is another element vulnerable to a cyber attack. But those new tools and technologies are a gamechanger when they’re up and running – so let’s keep it that way!
Staff training, safety disciplines, good project management principles, and carefully protected data – all this and more are a part of the latest standards and regulations that cybersecurity experts in public transport will showcase at the UITP Summit.
Remember, public transport organisations are attacked not because they’re targeted, but because they’re vulnerable.
Making money move smarter for resilience, from ticketing to cost management
There’s efficiency in energy and in operations – but money has to move efficiently too. That’s important for resilience in a world of volatile, rising costs and ever more frequent and severe crises.
Given this, public transport operators must develop strategies to maximise efficiency and control expenses. Speakers at the UITP Summit will share their insights and explore the challenges of achieving this goal.
That also includes ticketing, where technology can greatly simplify payments, making public transport easier to use and, in turn, more attractive to use. Integrated digital ticketing, which meets passenger expectations, overcomes governance issues, and manages data-sharing sensitively, is key to making fare collection not a barrier, but an accelerator.
Mobility 5.0: Changing trends with Next-Gen technology
We are entering an age of smarter, more connected urban mobility. In a world increasingly powered by technology, people expect that public transport is no different. After all, it’s a public service.
To make the most of changing trends, or what could be called Mobility 5.0, organisations need a ‘digital mindset’. Essentially, how and why to support innovation and embrace digital transformation at all levels.
That’s important across various sectors, from making operations more efficient in railways to optimising bus battery and hydrogen systems for safety and sustainability.
Not to mention the technological advances that affect us all. For one, AI presents opportunities to improve services and better meet the evolving needs of passengers. As well, harnessing the full power of data can result in more intelligent operations and planning.
In short, a digital mindset can bring about more efficient operations that are both financially viable to operate and comfortable for passengers to use!
The UITP Summit 2025 host Hamburg has been and continues to be at the forefront of mobility innovation. As far back as 1967, it joined up the city’s many operators into one ticketing and pricing system. Today, it offers its Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) app hvv switch to centralise all modes of mobility, including the rental of shared mobility, allos passengers to see real-time positions of buses, and more.
And as a hub of innovation, Hamburg is the ideal place for technical visits!
Technical Visits to the sustainable innovations of Hamburg
Technical sessions at the UITP Summit 2025 include visits to see technological innovations first-hand:
- Explore Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) with Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology – enabling seamless communication between vehicles and infrastructure like traffic lights. Expect a demo ride where you can experience ITS prioritisation in action!
- MOIA test ride & hub tour. Discover one of Europe’s most advanced autonomous vehicle projects, currently being tested on the streets of Hamburg. Ride in a self-driving vehicle, engage in discussions with MOIA about how to operate an autonomous fleet, and visit behind-the-scenes of MOIA’s ridepooling hub and Fleet Control Centre.
- Hamburg boasts the world’s first battery-electric train fleet in regular scheduled service. During the Summit, you can explore the ultra-modern and purpose-built facility that keeps the FLIRT Akku trains running from Hamburg to Rendsburg.
- The innovative Alsterdorf e-bus depot is key to achieving Hamburg’s goal of a fully clean bus fleet by the early 2030s. Participants can visit Alsterdorf, the city’s biggest bus depot, to see its workshop, transformer station, and extensive infrastructure for electric buses.
- Discover a train controlled remotely via tablet – the Autonomous Regional Train Evolution (ARTE) retrofits existing trains with the highest level of automation
- Explore HOCHBAHN’s Autonomous Driving Hub as a part of the public-private cooperation ALIKE. While the on-demand ridepooling service is set to roll out in 2026, participants can already see the hub under construction and explore what it takes to run an automated fleet, from parking to charging, maintenance, and vehicle preparation.
Take note: technical visits have a limited number of places! Register for the UITP Summit with an Exchange or Expertise pass, and you will receive an email where you can reserve your place.
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Key Topics: Our 6 Session Tracks
Full Programme