"Until now, the human race has undergone two great waves of change, each one largely obliterating earlier cultures or civilizations and replacing them with ways of life inconceivable to those who came before." - The Third Wave by Alvin Toffler.

Many world experts claim the fourth revolution, which will follow the agricultural, industrial, and information revolutions described by Alvin Toffler, will be an environmental or ubiquitous revolution. Transportation, which previously focused only on the movement of people and logistics, is encountering a new trend in an increasingly ubiquitous and environment-friendly era. Intelligent Transport Systems and Services (ITS) are opening doors to a more advanced transportation sector.

Utilizing cutting-edge information technology, Korea has integrated transportation infrastructure management and information systems on its national highways and main roads by installing electronic payment systems for toll roads around the nation. More than 70 percent of urban-area buses across the nation now have information systems for public transit users. Today, an estimated 400,000 commuters benefit from real-time transportation information.

Dear Readers,

The 17th ITS World Congress, which will take place at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center from October 25 to 29, 2010, will center on the theme, ' Ubiquitous Society with ITS.' The world's distinguished scholars and experts will attend the congress providing the opportunity to obtain the latest valuable information and experience a wide array of technologies.

I believe, in the near future, ITS will make our lives more convenient and pleasurable through the social and economic relationships of people to their vehicles, and transportation, and that ITS will further advance through the 17th ITS World Congress Busan, 2010.

I invite all of you to the 17th ITS World Congress Busan providing many opportunities to explore the present and future of ITS.

In Busan, Korea's second-largest city, you will be able to experience the latest, cutting-edge ITS technologies and find solutions to the future vision of ITS.

I look forward to seeing you in Busan!

Sincerely Yours,

Chung, Jong-Hwan
Minister of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs