Dear Members of The Korean Society of Intelligent Transport Systems, and distinguished colleagues from industry, academia, research institutes, and government,

I extend my New Year’s greetings to you. As we welcome 2026, I sincerely wish good health and continued accomplishment to you and your families, as well as sustained progress in your research and professional endeavors. As I assume the presidency for the term beginning on January 1, I do so with a profound sense of responsibility and a firm determination to advance the Society’s continued growth.

Our Society has contributed to the scholarly advancement and practical deployment of cutting-edge transportation technologies, including ITS and C-ITS, autonomous driving, UAM, connected vehicles and connected mobility, data- and AI-driven traffic operations, and MaaS. Building upon this foundation, we will make 2026 a year of execution—strengthening both our academic standing and our industrial and policy impact in a balanced and substantive manner.

First, we will prioritize the establishment of a Task Force for fostering a sustainable ITS industry ecosystem. In a rapidly evolving technology and market environment, we will refine the collaboration framework among industry, academia, research institutions, and government to prevent fragmentation across R&D, standardization, field demonstration, and commercialization. We will also systematically capture on-the-ground challenges and translate them into actionable improvement measures, with a particular focus on an ecosystem in which opportunities expand for SMEs and mid-sized enterprises, as well as for emerging researchers, while maintaining an appropriate balance between public value and innovation.

Second, we will move forward in earnest with the launch of an SCI-indexed international journal. The Society aims to build an independent global scholarly platform through which Korea’s outstanding ITS research outcomes can be disseminated internationally. In line with our journal launch strategy, we will advance the proposed journal, Journal of Physical AI & Mobility Systems, with phased targets—including publishing at least 30 papers per year within three years, and achieving SCIE indexing and entry into JCR Q1 within five years (with a target impact factor of 10 or above). Furthermore, by institutionalizing the submission of replication packages and promoting open science grounded in a data-platform approach, we will consolidate editorial and peer-review capacity and mobilize international networks to ensure a high-quality and credible launch.

Third, we will broaden the scope of ITS by invigorating the field of maritime mobility. Smart ports, maritime traffic management, autonomous navigation, and the optimization of coastal and maritime logistics are closely aligned with core ITS concerns—operations, safety, and data-driven infrastructure. The Society will actively incorporate maritime mobility into the ITS research and industry agenda and create an environment in which convergent research can grow organically through dedicated academic sessions, expert networks, and industry collaboration.

Fourth, we recognize cooperation for the successful hosting of APTE 2026 and the 2026 ITS World Congress as a key responsibility of the Society. In particular, we will strengthen linkages between these international events and our forthcoming international journal, including pathways to recommend and publish outstanding contributions. Leveraging our experience in organizing academic conferences and international events, we will work closely with host and partner organizations across program planning, academic exchange, domestic and international outreach, and industry exhibitions and technology collaboration.

In closing, the continued advancement of our Society begins with the participation and constructive recommendations of our members. In 2026, we will continue to operate conferences, seminars, and workshops as essential venues for scholarly exchange, while steadily accumulating tangible outcomes that connect practice with research. I respectfully ask for your continued interest, engagement, and support.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dongjoo Park, Ph.D.
President, The Korean Society of Intelligent Transport Systems