Lisbon Global Tolling Summit Shows Industry on 'Fast Track to Transformation'

From the development of high-quality, multimodal infrastructure in Portugal, to a wide-angle view of highway improvements and reconstruction around the world, the IBTTA Global Tolling Summit, October 27-29, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal, will bring you a comprehensive slice of a vibrant, innovative industry on the move.

IBTTA President Chris Tomlinson’s theme for this year is “The Future of Mobility,” and one of his key messages has been that nobody ever runs a tolling program for the sake of tolling —every transportation infrastructure decision is always driven by some bigger vision or operational imperative. Each year, IBTTA’s Global Summit is the place where industry executives gather from around the world to share and renew that sense of purpose. And never more than in 2019, when every facet of the tolling business is on a fast track to transformation.

How Portugal Gets It Right

Portugal’s renowned experience with transportation infrastructure and technology shows up throughout the program -- and for good reason. The country’s state-of-the-art motorway network has earned international acclaim, and its pioneering adoption of tolling and traffic management technologies has been a game-changer for the European industry. By travelling to Lisbon in October, you’ll get an in-depth look at the highway system your system could be—and the steps Portugal took to get where it is today.

The first day of the conference, sessions begin with a look at the mobility infrastructure challenges Portugal has faced, and the customer-centric approach the country took to solving them. Panelists will talk about the multimodal integration at the heart of the system, the ecosystem and community access concerns that have helped drive its development, the mobility technologies that connect Portugal to the rest of the world, and the innovative financing and funding that make it all possible.

In the course of the two-day program, you’ll learn how Portugal boosted system efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by shifting trucks from national highways to dynamically tolled motorways. You’ll hear perspectives from Portugal and other European countries on advanced data management, incident and weather management, and cooperative, connected and automated mobility (CCAM). And, you’ll interact with transportation leaders dealing with major social and economic trends occurring in their country or region, as well as how they approach maintenance, improvements and the double-punch of decaying infrastructure and the need for additional capacity.

Bringing Aging Roadways Into the Future

There will be moments during the Summit when North Americans visiting Lisbon will feel like they’re looking in the mirror. Just as the United States is facing a massive infrastructure funding and renewal deficit, the European Union has been working hard to maintain and upgrade its aging roadway networks as an integral part of a modern, tech-enabled network of tolled facilities.

Make your plans now and check that your passport is current.

Register today for IBTTA’s Global Tolling Summit, October 27-29, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal.