This session introduces the ITS Network, explaining its origins, purpose, and the value it provides to its members across Europe. We will outline the network’s vision, strategic priorities, governance structure, and core services, including knowledge transfer, capacity building, and advocacy.
Participants will gain insight into current ITS activities such as national support programmes, events, training, knowledge repositories, and cross-border collaboration. Selected national ITS associations will share practical examples illustrating how national initiatives and international cooperation have generated real added value - ranging from policy uptake to SME engagement and pilot deployments.
We will conclude with key takeaways and next steps, followed by an open Q&A with the audience.
Hanne Nettum Breivik brings over 15 years of experience in the transportation and mobility sector. She has held senior leadership roles at Ruter, the public transport authority for the Greater Oslo region; Entur, Norway’s digital infrastructure provider for public transport; and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
Hanne has been an active member of the ITS Norway board since 2018, serving as Chair from 2019 to 2024. In March 2025, she was appointed CEO of ITS Norway, where she continues to drive innovation and collaboration in intelligent transport systems.
LAURA FRANCHI is the communication and event manager in TTS Italia, the Italian ITS Association, since 2009. She graduated in Technical Scientific Translation at “La Sapienza” University of Rome in 2006. Since 2024, she is in the Coordination Committee of the ITS Nationals Network.
Dónal has over 30 years of experience working on major transportation and technology projects for both the public and private sectors. Since 2010, he has been a Board member of ITS Ireland and was elected to the position of Chair of the Network of National ITS Associations (ITS Nationals) in June 2024 following a competitive election process involving 30 national ITS associations across Europe. In his position, he represents the 2,500 public sector and corporate members of the collective group and has taken the lead in restructuring the governance, communications and organisational structure of the group. The ITS Nationals continues to champion communication, cooperation and collaboration across the network and with international stakeholders and national ITS associations around the world.
Marc Verhage, chairman of the board of Connekt, Vice chairman of ITS Nationals Network
Marc Verhage started his career as officer at the Royal Netherlands Navy. After his study at the Royal Netherlands Naval Academy and the Technical university of Eindhoven he had several (project)management and direction positions in consulting firms, in construction industry and since 2023 at Connekt.
Steve Schneider is the Managing Director of ITS mobility. For more than 25 years, the company manages Germanys biggest network for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and profitably connects business and science to shape the mobility for future generations.
His career began as a computer scientist at the Fraunhofer IFF in Magdeburg, where he in charge of research projects in mobility and logistics. He was later responsible for IT projects in intralogistics in the automotive sector before he switched to ITS mobility in 2015. Here he accompanies and manages projects, initiatives and events in the field of intelligent transport systems. His main topics are intelligent infrastructures as well as automated and connected mobility solutions. This includes his role as coordinator of C-Roads Germany, administration of the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium, and his role as spokesman for the OCIT Developer Group.
