Prof. Dr. Marijana Petrović
University of Belgrade-Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering (full professor),
Innovation Center of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (senior researcher),
Belgrade, Serbia

Extended Abstract: The deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is central to advancing smart and sustainable urban mobility, yet cities and regions across Europe face persistent challenges in aligning technological readiness with planning capacity and user needs. This plenary lecture presents a participatory methodology for technology gap assessment, developed and applied within the SMARTMOBAIR project across six diverse pilot territories in the Adriatic-Ionian region, including the City of Niš.
The methodology builds on self-assessment principles and is operationalized through a Gap Analysis Tool that evaluates maturity across five thematic domains: technical readiness, interoperability, scalability, sustainability impact, and user acceptance. Each dimension is linked to Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) identified as critical for ITS deployment. The assessment was implemented in cooperation with local Stakeholder Working Groups, ensuring that results reflect both technical conditions and contextual realities.
Findings show a heterogeneous readiness landscape. Strengths are observed in mobility data collection, real-time passenger information, and digital public transport services, which are widely deployed and in some cases optimized. At the same time, gaps remain in advanced solutions for adaptive traffic management, integrated fare collection, urban space regulation, and user engagement. These disparities underscore the importance of capacity-building and iterative learning for systemic advancement of smart mobility.
By synthesizing insights across six pilot territories, the approach identifies shared priorities while respecting local diversity. The participatory methodology proves valuable not only as a diagnostic instrument but also as a facilitator of structured dialogue, fostering institutional cooperation and shared ownership of mobility strategies.

Biography: