Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS-UAB)
Designing the future of safe, sustainable, and intelligent mobility
The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS-UAB) research group at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona develops advanced scientific methods and digital technologies to make mobility safer, greener, and more efficient across air, urban, and logistics systems.
Our research combines artificial intelligence, modelling and simulation, optimization, and complex systems engineering, with a strong focus on real-world impact. We work closely with European institutions, industry, and public authorities to ensure that our results move beyond theory into operational deployment.
What We Do
✈ Sustainable Air Mobility & U-Space
We are internationally recognized for our work on air traffic management (ATM) and U-space / UTM systems for drones. Our research enables the safe and scalable integration of drones and advanced air mobility into shared airspace through:
- AI-based trajectory planning and conflict-free operations
- Multi-agent negotiation and contingency management
- Digital U-space services aligned with European regulation (SESAR, EASA)
- Low-emission flight strategies and energy-efficient airspace design
🚦 Smart Urban Mobility & Traffic Efficiency
We develop data-driven and AI-enabled solutions for urban transport systems, including:
- Intelligent traffic signal control using reinforcement learning and LLMs
- Energy-aware traffic management and congestion reduction
- Smart-city mobility analytics and predictive models
- Integration of electric vehicles and sustainable charging strategies
📦 Sustainable Logistics & Transport Infrastructure
Our research also addresses the eco-efficiency of logistics systems and transport infrastructure, from warehouses to airports. We apply:
- Optimization and simulation for green logistics and freight transport
- Eco-efficiency assessment using advanced analytical methods
- Decision-support tools for sustainable infrastructure governance
How We Work
Rather than isolated research lines, ITS-UAB operates through a shared scientific architecture based on common AI engines, integrated simulation environments, and cross-domain reuse of models and data.
A flagship direction of our work is the development of multimodal digital twins, combining air mobility, urban traffic, logistics, and infrastructure into unified experimental platforms.
Impact Beyond Research
We are deeply embedded in the European research and innovation ecosystem, with active participation in Horizon Europe, SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking, EuroHPC, and national programmes.
Our work contributes to European standards, high-TRL prototypes, open tools and datasets, and technology transfer initiatives that support the green and digital transition of mobility.
Looking Ahead
ITS-UAB aims to become a European reference in AI-driven sustainable mobility, enabling ultra-safe air and drone operations, cleaner cities, and resilient transport infrastructures.
By combining scientific excellence with real-world validation, we work toward a future where mobility systems are intelligent by design, sustainable by default, and trusted by society.
