The Transportation Podcast from Traffic Technology International

ITS America' president and CEO Laura Chace joins TTi's Tom Stone ahead of the ITS America Confrence & Expo in Detroit (9-12 June 2026) to discuss why the Motor City makes the perfect backdrop for the event in the organisation's 35th anniversary year.

Laura explains how the conference is moving beyond traditional demonstrations with four new "integrated experiences" – live, multi-vendor technology showcases running on Michigan DOT's real-world network – and why that shift reflects a broader maturation of the ITS sector itself. 

The conversation also covers the rapid expansion of autonomous vehicle deployments across US cities, the growing role of AI in traffic management, and the emerging use cases for drones in transportation – from infrastructure inspection to first-responder support.

Whether you're heading to Detroit or following from afar, and whether you listen before the event or catch up afterwards, this is a wide-ranging discussion on where intelligent transportation stands today and where it's heading next – essential listening for anyone working in or watching the ITS sector.

Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERITCO-ITS Europe speaks with TTi editor Tom Stone about the forthcoming ITS Euorpean Congress in Istanbul and highlights what visitors can expect from the event in this exciting location. He also gives details of a new ERITCO initiative, Vision 2035, which aims to future-proof transportation systems over the next decade – as well as revealing plans for ERITCO’S 35th birthday. 

Our interview today is with Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. In conversation with TTI editor Tom Stone, Mark talks about investing in new technology, open road tolling and embedding AI.

Cutting tailpipe emissions is only the start of the decarbonization process that road networks must undergo. In this podcast Giles Perkins, program director for Live Labs 2, explains more about the UK’s three-year £30m innovation scheme, testing everything from low carbon streetlighting to innovative pavement materials in a quest to create best-practice for decarbonizing road infrastructure. In conversation with TTi editor Tom Stone, Perkins discusses how concrete, steel and asphalt represent a significant carbon footprint – and how Live Labs 2 is trying to address this.

This episode is sponsored by MAV Systems.

In this special episode of The Transportation Podcast, TTi editor Tom Stone speaks with British Labour MP, Sarah Coombes, about the rise in ghost plates, and her parliamentary campaign to increase the penalties for their use. Chris Shepherd of MAV Systems joins the conversation to discuss a solution that addresses this problem head on.

This episode is sponsored by MAV Systems.

TTi editor Tom Stone talks with three experts about how Euro NCAP and the DFRS have come together to ensure connectivity is now part of a European vehicle's safety rating.

Brett Ferrin is vice president with Traffic Logix, a leading developer of traffic calming solutions. In conversation with TTi editor Tom Stone, Brett talks data collection, countering concerns around privacy and profiteering, how to change driver behaviour and the many different ways to calm traffic.

Bill Klehm is founder and CEO of e-mobility firm eBliss. In conversation with TTi editor Tom Stone, Bill talks about the pleasures and benefits of e-bikes, their huge uptake in the US, the generational shift away from automobiles towards micromobility, selling bikes at auto-dealerships and his previous life at Ford.

Max Sugarman is chief executive of ITS UK. In conversation with TTi editor Tom Stone, Max discusses the organisation’s recently published manifesto, the perks of membership and taking a strategic approach to transportation technology. 

Interview begins at 3:30

Kirk Steudle is legendary former Michigan DOT director. In conversation with TTi editor Tom Stone, he discusses what it's like working under different administrations and his own perspective on moving from the public to the private sector as well as proving an industry overview including the latest tech that excites him.

The episode is sponsored by MAV Systems