Ten Years On: Has the Declaration of Amsterdam Delivered on the Promise of Automated Driving?
Ten years after the Declaration of Amsterdam set out a shared European vision for automated driving, this session reflects on what has been achieved — and what still lies ahead.
Christian Merkt (BMW), Edwin Nas (RDW) and Ahmed Hashish (Dutch Automated Driving) will discuss how policy ambitions have translated into real-world deployment, from industry and regulation to public transport and pilots. Together, they will explore whether Europe is on track to deliver safe, scalable automated driving — and what is needed in the next decade to turn promise into everyday reality.
Speakers
Tom Alkim is Strategic Advisor for Connected & Automated Mobility at MAPtm, a Dutch company specializing in intelligent transport systems with consultancy, digital and operational services. With 25 years of experience in the public sector, Tom has played a leading role in advancing dynamic traffic management, cooperative ITS, and connected & automated Mobility. His career includes long-standing contributions at Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management, and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Research & Innovation.
During the Dutch EU presidency in 2016, Tom was a core team member behind two landmark initiatives: the Declaration of Amsterdam and the European Truck Platooning Challenge, both of which helped set the stage for Europe’s connected and automated mobility future.
Tom is actively engaged in international collaboration and thought leadership. He serves as the CCAM Partnership delegate for Physical & Digital Infrastructure, chairs the International Taskforce on Vehicle-Highway Automation (ITFVHA), co-chairs the IRF Connected and Autonomous Mobility Committee (CAMC) and sits on the International Advisory Board of Intertraffic. His current work spans several National and European research and innovation initiatives. Through these roles, Tom continues to shape the future of responsible, connected & automated mobility in Europe and beyond.
