WCTR 2026 : UT Capitole and TSE are hosting the next transport research conference
WCTR 2026 will be hosted by Toulouse Capitole University and the Toulouse School of Economics from July 6 to 10, gathering about 1,500 international transport researchers to rethink the future of transport. The 17th edition returns to Europe after editions held outside the continent, selected from 17 candidate cities after the 2023 Montreal conference, and will mark the 50th anniversary on the UT Capitole campus, organized by TSE. The programme includes presentations, lectures, panel discussions and technical visits, and features a joint declaration backed by 16 major international transport companies outlining key strategic directions. Themes cover modes of transport, freight and logistics, traffic management, economics and policy, planning and sustainable development, among others, and, as noted by Marc Ivaldi, hosting the WCTR in Toulouse is more than a gathering and aims to bring about positive change.
From July 6 to 10, the Toulouse Capitole University and Toulouse School of Economics (TSE) are honoured to host the 17th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR). The event will bring together nearly 1,500 international experts to rethink the transport of the future.
As the European capital of aeronautics and aerospace, as well as a major hub for mobility, Toulouse boasts a unique ecosystem that brings together academic research, industry players and public institutions. This unrivalled regional context will enable the event to bring together leading organisations in the transport sector, such as Airbus, SNCF and Air France.
A comprehensive and inclusive programme to rethink the future of transport
The programme includes presentations, lectures, panel discussions and technical visits. The highlight of the conference will be the presentation of a joint declaration backed by 16 major international transport companies, aimed at setting out the sector’s key strategic directions and rallying stakeholders around a shared vision.
The main themes that will form the basis of the event are:
- modes of transport – general overview,
- freight transport and logistics,
- traffic management, operations and control,
- transport activity and demand,
- transport economics and finance,
- transport, spatial planning and sustainable development,
- transport planning and policy,
- transport in developing and emerging countries,
- infrastructure design and maintenance.
A message from the director
Hosting the World Conference on Transport Research in Toulouse is much more than just an international gathering. It is a unique opportunity for key stakeholders in Toulouse to showcase their expertise in organising, promoting and hosting events of this scale. Beyond the logistical aspects, the WCTR in Toulouse offers the opportunity to bring about positive change by bringing together global transport experts.
Université Toulouse Capitole
