Group photo of researchers on stage holding certificates at the 17th World Conference on Transport Research

A Look Back at WCTR 2026

The 17th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR 2026) wrapped up in Toulouse, France, last month. It was hosted at the Toulouse School of Economics and Toulouse Capitole University to convene transport experts, policymakers, and researchers from around the world to shape the future of mobility. From decarbonizing urban transit to navigating global supply chain disruptions, the discussions were full of bold ideas.

WCTR 2026: By the Numbers

This year’s conference brought together the world of transportation research for five days:

  • Total Attendees: 1,500+ attendees from academia, industry, and government
  • Global Representation: Participants spanning over 60 countries
  • Presentations & Posters: Hundreds of lectern sessions, 250+ poster presentations, and plenary sessions across the 9 distinct transportation themes of WCTRS’s Special Interest Groups
Packed university lecture hall with a full audience and panelists presenting on a projection screen

Aggies in Toulouse

ITS-Davis had a strong presence in France. Our faculty, postdocs, and graduate student researchers led sessions, joined high-level panels, and presented cutting-edge research across sustainable transit, electric vehicles, and transport policy.

  • UC Davis Presentations: 9 lectern and poster presentations showcasing innovative research.
  • Leadership Roles: ITS-Davis leaders, Daniel Sperling and Giovanni Circella, serve as Secretary General and Co-Secretary General for WCTRS, keeping the global conversation moving forward.

We are excited to announce a major achievement for our UC Davis team!  UC Davis Graduate Student Researcher Naomi Panjaitan and Transit Research Center Director Susie Pike Cayar were honored with the Best Poster Award at WCTR 2026. Their award-winning work stood out among hundreds of posters from top global institutions. It highlighted critical insights into travel behavior and sustainable transit options. Huge congratulations to Naomi and Susie for bringing this honor to UC Davis!

Seven smiling adults wearing conference badges, posing for a selfie at an indoor reception

Imagining the Next 50 Years of Mobility

As part of the 50th-anniversary celebration, young researchers were invited to share their vision for where transport research is headed over the next half-century. The winning entry took the form of a captivating video essay titled "Predicting the Unpredictable | The (Un)Predictable Future of Transport". It delivers thought-provoking predictions for our transportation system in the next 50 years, exploring there are 3 likely scenarios - fragmented, drifting, cooperative – and the related research priorities.

Watch the winning video essay here on YouTube

Attendees seated beneath large purple banner reading 'World Conference on transport research'

Looking Ahead

WCTR 2026 was an amazing reminder of what happens when global experts collaborate across borders. The conference also marked the election of incoming WCTRS President Rosário Macário, who laid out a bold vision for the society's future. Her agenda focuses on driving transdisciplinary research, engaging emerging generations of young researchers, and strengthening global partnerships to support underrepresented regions.

We are so proud of our UC Davis researchers for driving sustainable solutions and pushing transport science into its next era.

We look forward to seeing everyone again at WCTR 2029, which was announced to be held at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.

Instructor lecturing to seated students in classroom with a map projected on screen

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