Scotland is a leading provider of intelligent solutions for both traffic networks and in-car technology. Around 200 companies make up the Scottish automotive industry base, mainly in electronics, software and high performance engineering, with more than 90% of companies operating in areas relating to Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).

Scotland’s Intelligent Transport System sector

Scotland may never have been a major player in the traditional automotive industry, but it has a strong proposition in the ITS sector, where suppliers come from electronics, software and hardware backgrounds.

Companies in Scotland offer expertise in technologies such as wireless communications, sensors and displays. Research predicts that the Scottish intelligent transport industry will grow by 15% per annum, predominantly in high-value niche areas.

ITS in Scotland – academic strengths

Scotland's universities play a key role in providing research to support the ITS sector, supported by high levels of funding. Examples of the work being undertaken include:

• University of Edinburgh – development of advanced systems for automated security engineering and signal processing are being developed.
• University of Strathclyde – advancing non-linear signal and image processing and the design of sensor networks.
• University of Glasgow – pioneering several automotive control system projects.
• Napier University – the Transport Research Institute has a transport modelling and technology cluster.
• University of Dundee – using human machine interfaces and displays to research vehicle accidents.

ITS in Scotland – commercial strengths

The Scottish ITS sector is underpinned by a strong telecommunications base. It is supported by rapid growth in interrelated areas and helps to commercialise research.

• Close collaboration provides a tight-knit ITS cluster with high level access to total solutions and business partners.
• Scotland's Government actively supports the Intelligent Transport sector, providing a highly supportive and attractive regulatory environment.
• 80% of Scotland's ITS industry is based within 50 miles of Edinburgh and Glasgow – allowing easy access to universities, other technology-based industries and a highly trained workforce.
• Collaborations within the sector are encouraged by a number of initiatives and networks run by the Government, SDI and other agencies.

Scottish Development International provides active support for the Scottish electronics sector

Contact SDI to discover the full range of services we offer to the Intelligent Transport Services sector, and all other electronics industries in Scotland