NYC's Position As Leader In Green Streets & Innovative Transportation Planning, Convention

11/13/08

NEW YORK CITY�S POSITION AS LEADER IN GREEN STREETS AND INNOVATIVE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IS SPOTLIGHTED BY ARRIVAL OF 10,000 DELEGATES IN TOWN FOR ITS CONVENTION



New York City Showcases Latest Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Technologies and Practices to Leaders and Policy Makers at Largest Exposition Event in the World;
5th World Congress and ITS Annual Meeting November 16-20 at Javits Center Will Pump $20 Million into Local Economy


New York City � November 13, 2008 New York City will spotlight its position as a leader in transportation technology when the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) and its European and Asia-Pacific counterparts arrive for the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and ITS America�s Annual Meeting, Nov. 16-20.  The five-day convention is expected to draw more than 10,000 transportation, technology and business professionals from 45 countries who will learn about the latest ITS advancements.  The convention, taking place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, will generate more than 8,000 total hotel room nights and $20 million in economic impact for New York City. It marks the first time the ITS World Congress has been in the U.S. since 2005.  NYC & Company, the City�s marketing, tourism and partnership organization, responsible for selling and servicing conventions, today welcomed the forthcoming arrival of the convention to the City.



�There could be no better living laboratory to learn about the latest transportation advancements than New York City,� said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. �We are pleased that ITS America has chosen New York City as the site for its 15th World Congress on ITS and ITS America�s Annual Meeting.�



ITS improves transportation safety and mobility and enhances productivity through the use of advanced information and communications technologies.



The largest of its kind in the world, the World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems will utilize more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Javits Center, the largest exhibition ever for a World Congress.  The latest intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies, applications and services from the U.S. and around the world will be showcased at Javits for convention attendees to experience.



�We are delighted to be in New York City for this year�s World Congress and Annual Meeting,� said Michael Noblett, Chairman of the 15th World Congress on ITS and Vice President of Connexis LLC.  �Our attendees from around the globe will truly benefit from the many interactive sessions and exhibits at Javits, along with the unique opportunity to see the latest ITS developments the City of New York has implemented. Our attendees will also have the good fortune of being in one of the world�s most exciting cities.�



The City�s Department of Transportation has been actively involved in host committee responsibilities, facilitating much of the New York City portion of the five-day convention and organizing technical tours in the City to show off some of the world�s best ITS technologies and advancements.



�New York City is a showcase for some of the most innovative ways that technology can power our transportation network,� said Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the City�s Department of Transportation. �With our new Joint Traffic Management Center, with Transit Signal Priority now installed on key bus routes and with the high-tech demonstrations we will be seeing on City streets as part of the Congress in the coming week, New York is an ideal place to see what ITS can bring to a big city.�



Technical tours that will be offered to convention delegates include �Grand Central Revitalization�, �Lower Manhattan Rebuilds,� the �Lincoln Tunnel Exclusive Bus Lane�, �Port Authority Bus Terminal� and �New York City Joint Traffic Transportation Management Center�. 



More than 300 educational sessions will also be featured during the 15th World Congress with more than 800 industry experts covering a broad range of ITS issues. Plenary sessions, executive sessions, special sessions, technical and scientific sessions, interactive sessions, ITS Annual Meeting sessions, and forum showcases are all set to take place.



One of the session highlights will be �Traffic Management Systems in New York City.�  The session will showcase New York City�s efforts to continue improving its daily traffic operations, and updating the traffic management systems in the City of New York. This is the nation�s largest urban operations improvement project to date.  Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside communication technologies and applications will be highlighted by innovative mobility solutions operating on the streets and highways of New York.



Other sessions will showcase high-profile speakers, including Tyler Duvall, Acting Under Secretary for Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation, Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund, Mark Rosenker, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; and William Millar, President of the American Public Transportation Association.



Transportation, technology and business professionals involved in any aspect of Intelligent Transport Systems�from development and management through delivery, implementation and operation�are expected to attend the 15th World Congress.  Financial analysts, communications professionals, automotive engineers, commercial vehicle operators, and transport security and public safety authorities are among those who will discover where the future of transportation is headed, how ITS will affect their sectors, and how they can become more in engaged in the evolution of ITS.  For more information on this conference, visit itsworldcongress.org.


About the Intelligent Transportation Society of AmericaThe Intelligent Transportation Society of America is the leading advocate for technologies that improve the safety, security and efficiency of the nation's surface transportation system.  Our members include private corporations, public agencies, and academic institutions involved in the research, development and design of Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies enhance safety, increase mobility and sustain the environment. itsa.org



About NYC & CompanyNYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.



Contacts
Kimberly Spell
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 1270
kspell@nycgo.com
Christoper Heywood
NYC & Company
tel 212 484 1270
cheywood@nycgo.com