CAREC Institute Engages in the 2024 World Internet Conference Intelligent Transportation Forum
On November 22, the Intelligent Transportation Forum, a key side event of the 2024 World Internet Conference, convened in Wuzhen, Zhejiang, the People’s Republic of China (PRC). With the theme “Smart Connectivity for Boundless Mobility: Co-Creating a New Ecosystem for Intelligent Transportation,” the forum explored how technological innovation can improve transportation efficiency, safety, sustainability, and convenience for a greener and more secure mobility future.
The forum brought together over 150 participants, including representatives from government agencies, international organizations, leading enterprises, academia, and media. Attendees engaged in high-level discussions and shared insights on emerging trends and best practices in intelligent transportation.
Dr. Hans Holzhacker, former Chief Economist and consultant for the CAREC Institute, delivered a speech titled “ITS Priorities for CAREC.” In his presentation, Dr. Holzhacker highlighted the critical need for intelligent and green transcontinental corridors that are multimodal, digitalized, interoperable, electrified, and reliant on modern fuels. He also emphasized the importance of intelligent and sustainable public transportation systems in urban centers that offer sufficient capacity, affordability, electrification, and digitalization. Addressing the region’s outdated vehicle fleet, he advocated for its renewal, particularly through the adoption of electrified and digitalized solutions.
Dr. Holzhacker noted that vehicles are a major export from the PRC to other CAREC countries, with the value of electric vehicle (EV) exports to the region increasing approximately sevenfold annually since 2021. His remarks underscored the transformative potential of EV adoption for sustainable mobility in the CAREC region. Following his presentation, Dr. Holzhacker and Mr. Lu Shiliang, the Research Specialist at the CAREC Institute, engaged in discussions with academic researchers and industry experts, further deepening the forum’s dialogue on intelligent transportation systems (ITS).
The forum was hosted by Huolala and co-organized by the ChinaEU Digital Association. It served as an important platform for advancing global dialogue and fostering cooperation in building smarter, greener, and more sustainable transportation ecosystems worldwide.