Call for Papers: 8th Annual Bridging Transportation Researchers (BTR) Conference to Convene Online This August
The organizing committee of the 8th Annual Bridging Transportation Researchers (BTR) conference is officially inviting researchers and practitioners from across the globe to participate in its upcoming summit, scheduled for August 12 and 13, 2026.
As the transportation industry seeks more sustainable ways to share knowledge, BTR continues its mission as a zero-cost, zero-carbon event. By removing the financial and environmental burdens of international travel, registration fees, and lodging, the conference provides a democratic platform for scholars in all transportation domains to connect and collaborate regardless of their location or budget.
Submission Guidelines and Deadlines
The Call for Papers for BTR#8 is now open. Investigative teams and individual researchers are encouraged to submit their work for consideration.
Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026.
Peer Review: To ensure the highest educational and academic standards, all submissions will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process.
Publication Opportunities: Many accepted papers will be invited for publication in the journal Transportation Planning & Technology.
Recognition: The conference will continue its tradition of excellence by presenting the BTR Top Paper Awards to outstanding submissions from both the Eastern and Western hemispheres.
Global Collaboration and New Features
BTR#8 is supported by an international coalition of co-sponsors, including COTA, IATBR, NTRO, UT, MIT, UTokyo, UNSW, and HKU. The organizing committee is comprised of top scholars dedicated to fostering a well-connected global research community.
In an exciting update for 2026, universities in Shanghai and Hong Kong will host dedicated physical conference rooms for free, in-person attendance and group viewing. The organizing committee is currently seeking additional partner institutions interested in providing on-site rooms for local group participation or joining as zero-cost co-sponsors.
How to Participate
Transportation enthusiasts, academics, and industry professionals are encouraged to add the following dates to their calendars:
March 31, 2026: Paper Submission Deadline
August 12–13, 2026: Conference Dates
For further information regarding submission requirements, registration, or hosting a local viewing hub, please visit the official website at https://bridgingtransport.org/ or contact Dr. Kara Kockelman at kkockelm@mail.utexas.edu.
The BTR co-organizers look forward to another year of stellar submissions and to keeping the global transportation community better connected for a peaceful and meaningful 2026.
About Bridging Transportation Researchers (BTR)
BTR was founded to reduce the carbon footprint of academic conferences and to bridge the gap between researchers globally. By leveraging online communication, it provides a high-quality venue for the dissemination of transportation research without the barriers of traditional international travel.
