AET Hackathon 2026

Night-time mobility challenges and strategies

It's time for the second edition of the AET Hackathon in May 2026! Join a unique, collaborative environment where innovation and technical experience meet real-world challenges. The winning team will showcase their solution at the European Transport Conference – completely free of charge – and connect with transport professionals from across Europe.

All the information about the event is detailed on this webpage. Any further questions?  Please contact our Hackathon Team.

WHAT

The AET Hackaton is an event that aims to enhance innovation, curiosity, and the spirit of comparison between cultures and strategies across Europe. It tackles contemporary urban challenges by creating a space where you can think outside the box, taking bolder risks than your day-to-day job typically allows.

WHERE

The Mobility Hackathon takes place every year in a different city. This time the competition will take place where all the roads lead to: Rome, of course. The event will take place at Net Engineering's Rome office, strategically located between the railway station and the city center, offering easy access for participants arriving by train and proximity to Rome's historic heart.

WHEN

Kickoff: Friday afternoon, May 15th 2026 at 2:30 p.m. The event runs through Saturday afternoon, May 16th 2026, wrapping up at 5:00 p.m. An aperitivo awaits in the streets of the city center of Rome to celebrate the conclusion.

This preliminary schedule can be slightly updated and adapted. Stay tuned!

ABOUT

At night, cities reveal their deepest inequalities.

Services and spaces thoughtfully designed and optimized for daylight needs change, resulting in lacking gendered safety, income-based mobility options, limited access to culture in peripherical areas, essential workers moving through not-designed and not serviced spaces.

This hackathon invites participants to explore the night as a critical time where urban systems fail, adapt, or exclude.

Through data, design, technology, and policy, teams will rethink mobility, public space, services, and access after dark.

The goal is not to romanticize the night, but to use it as a lens to expose gaps, and design more equitable cities that work when conditions are hardest.

WHO

Architects, engineers, planners, geographers, sociologists, marketing analysts, GIS enthusiasts, big data analysts, and tech experts all have a role to play. Diverse backgrounds and experience levels will strengthen creativity of each team, since varied perspectives lead to enhanced solutions.

Teams of up to 5 people will be organized, with at least one non-AET member per team Join individually or arrive with a pre-formed team: both options are available.

HOW

Registration

A short bio must be included with registration.

What to bring

Your own laptop/device is required whereas internet access will be provided.

Schedule and Format

• A 15-minute briefing explains the scope and rules, followed by a Q&A session for clarifications.
• An introductory session on the topic will be held;
• 32 hours to work on the challenge await your team!
• Saturday afternoon: Each team selects 1–2 representatives to present proposals to the judging panel, who will evaluate and select the winner.

Deliverables

• Your output includes a slide/whiteboard presentation and a 2-page proposal summary.
• A detailed technical solution isn't mandatory, though sufficient explanation strengthens your submission.

Judging Criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals.

WHY

Prizes and Recognition

• Free 3-day conference attendance for all winning team members.
• Local authorities may consider the winning proposal for implementation.
• Multiple social media posts will feature the winners.

NEXT STEPS

Keep these deadlines in mind. More information will be updated on this website by April 15th, 2026.