2026 Transportation Engineering Conference Calendar: TRB, WCTR & Submission Guide

For researchers in Transportation Engineering, Logistics, and Urban Planning, 2026 is a marquee year. Not only does it feature the annual TRB meeting, but it also marks the return of the triennial WCTR (World Conference on Transport Research).

Securing a spot at these prestigious events requires planning well in advance, as submission deadlines often fall in the previous year (2025). Below is your essential guide to the most important transportation events of 2026.

1. TRB 2026 - The 105th Annual Meeting

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting is widely considered the "Super Bowl" of transportation research. Held in Washington, D.C., it attracts over 10,000 professionals.

• Conference: 105th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting

• Date: January 2026 (Likely January 4–8, 2026)

• Location: Washington, D.C., USA

• Submission Deadline: August 1, 2025 (Strict Deadline)

• Publication: Accepted papers can be recommended for publication in the Transportation Research Record (TRR), an SCI/SSCI indexed journal.

• Critical Tip: The TRB deadline is non-negotiable. You must submit your full paper by August 1, 2025. Do not wait until late 2025 to start writing.

2. WCTR 2026 - The Global Triennial Event

Held only once every three years, the 17th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR) is a prestigious global gathering that focuses on policy, practice, and sustainability.

• Conference: 17th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR 2026)

• Date: May 2026 (Tentative)

• Location: Thimphu, Bhutan (Confirmed Host)

• Focus: Sustainable Transport, Global South Mobility, Transport Economics.

• Submission Timeline:

  • Abstracts: Usually due early-mid 2025.

  • Full Papers: Due late 2025.

• Why Submit: It provides a unique opportunity to network with global policymakers and publish in associated WCTRS journals (Transport Policy, etc.).

3. CICTP 2026 - COTA International Conference

For researchers connected to China or interested in Chinese transportation systems, CICTP is the premier "Homecoming" event, jointly organized by COTA (Chinese Overseas Transportation Association).

• Conference: 26th COTA International Conference of Transportation Professionals (CICTP 2026)

• Date: July 2026

• Location: China (City rotates annually among top universities)

• Publisher: ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers).

• Indexing: Ei Compendex.

• Focus: High-Speed Rail, Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV), Green Logistics.

4. IEEE ITSC 2026 - Intelligent Transportation

For those focusing on the "Tech" side (Algorithms, AI, Autonomous Driving), IEEE ITSC is the top-tier venue.

• Conference: 2026 IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Transportation Systems

• Date: September/October 2026

• Focus: V2X Communication, Traffic Prediction AI, Autonomous Systems.

• Indexing: Ei Compendex & IEEE Xplore.

• Deadline: usually March/April 2026.