EU Digital Transport Days in Helsinki in October

Ministry of Transport and Communications
Publication date 3.10.2019 10.49
Press release
Digital Transport Days 7 to 9 October 2019, Helsinki (Picture: Ministry of Transport and Communications)
Digital Transport Days 7 to 9 October 2019, Helsinki (Picture: Ministry of Transport and Communications)

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications and the European Commission will co-organise the Digital Transport Days 2019 conference in Helsinki from 7 to 9 October 2019. The Conference is part of Finland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and it aims to offer new insights into development and digital solutions in the field of transport and mobility.

The Digital Transport Days 2019 will be opened by European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc and Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications Sanna Marin.

- Digitalisation is reshaping European transport. New digital ways, such as integrated logistics services, U-Space, micro-mobility and 'Mobility as a Service', deliver on efficiency, Vision Zero and various new opportunities, says Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc.

Minister of Transport and Communications Sanna Marin stresses the importance of digitalisation and servitisation for the promotion of people's wellbeing, the creation of an equal society for all, and especially for the mitigation of climate change:

- Reliable and well-functioning transport services enable smoothly running everyday lives and support the vitality of society. Finland's Presidency of the Council of the EU has three strategic priorities in the field of transport: digital transport services, transport automation and low-carbon transport. The first two priorities are conditions for the third priority, and now that Finland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, we want to do all we can to make the EU carbon neutral by 2050.

New insights into the future and development of transport

The Digital Transport Days 2019 consist of a series of panel discussions focusing on recent trends in the transport sector and on new development ideas. Themes include digitalisation in transport services, low-carbon transport, automation in maritime transport and 5G.

Other events during the conference include a meeting of the EU transport directors, convened by EU Director-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) Henrik Hololei, and the expert-level MaaS Summit focusing on digital transport services. Side-events during the conference include trial and test opportunities provided by service providers.

The Best Mobile Service award will be presented during the Digital Transport Days for the best Finnish mobile innovation in 2019. The award ceremony will take place at Finlandia Hall at 13.30-14 on 8 October 2019. The award is presented by the Digital Forum Finlnad and the ITS Finland.

More than 800 guests are expected to attend the Digital Transport Days in addition to the organisers and keynote speakers. The conference will be held in English. Two events will be streamed live at 11 on 9 October 2019.

The European Commission organised the first Digital Transport Days in Tallinn in 2017 during the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The next conference will take place during the German Presidency in 2020.

Inquiries:

Maria Kekäläinen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 50 599 7097 (conference arrangements)

Saara Reinimäki, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 50 303 3065 (digital transport services, MaaS Summit)

Marjo Jäppinen, Head of Communications, tel. +358 40 080 4730

Pia Siitonen, Press Officer, European Commission Representation in Finland, tel. +358 40 535 5979