Gangneung hosts 449 ITS papers, figure skating gala as world congress nears close

Gangneung has become a global stage for transportation research on a scale rivaling several major academic conferences combined. On Thursday, world-class figure skater Cha Jun-hwan is set to take to the ice to showcase K-figure skating to global leaders — a day rich in both scholarship and artistry.

According to Gangneung city, the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress has featured 193 academic sessions and 449 research papers — the highest level of academic depth in the event's history. Topics have ranged from autonomous driving and cooperative intelligent transport systems, or C-ITS, to demand-responsive transport (DRT) and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) for underserved transit areas, AI- and big data-driven digital twins and traffic management, and tailored mobility solutions designed to maximize convenience for people with limited mobility and promote sustainable, eco-friendly transport.

On the congress's fourth day Thursday, research findings continue to be shared across Gangneung, with a range of cultural events adding to the momentum as the event approaches its close.

Transportation experts, researchers and policymakers from around the world have filled the academic sessions, turning the congress into a vibrant forum for global discussion on the future of mobility.

Plenary sessions at the Gangneung Convention Center's main hall have drawn record attendance, with virtually no empty seats. Plenary Session 3 (PL3), widely expected to be the congress's most popular session, has also drawn strong expressions of interest from specialists.

Plenary Session 3 is being held under the theme "The Evolution of Mobility: Localized Innovation and New Ecosystems." It focuses on mobility innovation models tailored to each region's demographic makeup, fiscal conditions and travel patterns, moving beyond one-size-fits-all technology deployment.

A highlight of the session is a presentation on Gangneung's real-world ITS infrastructure and citizen-centered ITS services, offered as a success story with the potential to set global trends and draw worldwide attention.

Gangneung plans to present its own "mid-sized city ITS model" — validated through a city-wide living lab — covering ITS infrastructure, smart intersections and real-time signal information services for drivers, as well as smart crosswalks, autonomous driving linked to public transit networks, and demand-responsive transport. The model is designed as an inclusive mobility system serving general pedestrians, elderly residents and people with disabilities alike.

The session carries particular significance because it presents Gangneung's approach as a concrete, actionable model embodying the congress's core theme: "Beyond Mobility, Connected World." Academic and industry experts said they expect Gangneung's best-practice case to help shift ITS discussions — long dominated by large metropolitan areas — toward mid-sized cities and regions around the world.

Gangneung city said it plans to actively apply and build on the advanced technologies and policy models discussed during the congress's academic sessions in its future municipal administration and urban development.

Planned follow-up projects include using AI to prevent traffic congestion at roundabouts and manage urban congestion and safety, as well as developing an autonomous driving demonstration city with no public transit blind spots by leveraging the city's existing autonomous driving infrastructure. Many cities worldwide are expected to look to Gangneung as a benchmark.

A special ice show will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Gangneung Olympic Park Hockey Centre to mark the congress's successful run. The performance, staged on the legacy of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, will feature South Korea's top figure skaters Cha Jun-hwan and Lee Hae-in in a gala blending cutting-edge media art with artistic choreography. The show weaves culture and the arts into an international event focused on advanced transportation technology, offering a distinctive experience for participants and residents attending the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress.

The 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, which has drawn a steady stream of domestic and international participants and visitors since its opening, is now one day from its close. The closing ceremony will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Gangneung Convention Center's main hall.

"I hope the in-depth discussions and valuable outcomes from the academic sessions will serve as a milestone for solving transportation challenges not only in Gangneung but in cities around the world," Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam said. "I encourage residents and visitors who have not yet had a chance to come to the congress to make the most of the final day — experience the exhibition and the diverse programs, and feel firsthand the changes that the future of mobility will bring."