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Chair: Vladimir Momčilović, University of Belgrade, RS
Mission Statement:
Global Trends impacting Transport (GTiT) stream covers broad area of key drivers and trends. Recent developments and endeavours in limiting climate change and its consequences, coping with energy crisis and trying to prevent uncertainty led to seeking for sustainable solutions and alternative energy sources. Transport networks and operations are sensitive and have limited resilience to recent ongoing geo-political disturbances and international conflicts. An ageing population, along with limited mobility transport users, urge for increased accessibility and inclusion in all transport modes with a special focus on equity. Furthermore, a growing workforce deficit in transport related professions is making transport policy and solutions each day harder to implement, requiring more awareness, attractiveness, motivation and involvement from young(er) population, whose working and living conditions and mobility options are to be improved.
ETC 2026 - GTiT Call for Papers
The Global Trends impacting Transport (GTiT) Programme Committee invites professionals, politicians, engineers, young researchers and practitioners from across Europe and beyond to submit papers to the for the upcoming European Transport Conference (ETC) 2026 to be held in Porto.
Global political, economic, social, technological and environmental challenges are reshaping our present transport systems, networks and activities. Rising geopolitical tensions, climate emergency and decarbonisation commitments, digitalisation and AI, demographic change, urbanisation, new business models and evolving user expectations all challenge the traditional planning, financing, regulation and operation of transport systems.
The GTiT Programme Committee provides a relevant forum to connect strategic “big picture” trends with concrete transport policies, projects and operations. We welcome contributions that bridge research and practice, and that foster dialogue between decision-makers and technical experts.
Themes and Topics of Interest
For the 2026 conference we have identified seven areas of interest that we are especially interested in for exchange of knowledge and discussion:
- Geopolitics, security and resilience
Impacts of geopolitical tensions, conflicts and sanctions on transport corridors, logistics chains and energy supply; critical infrastructure protection, risk management, redundancy and resilience strategies; diversification of routes, modes and suppliers; implications for TEN-T and global trade
- Regulation, governance and finance under global uncertainty, imminent and long-term threats
New regulatory approaches for platform economy and emerging mobility services; pricing, taxation, subsidies and innovative funding models; multi-level, cross-border and inter-sectoral governance of transport
- Climate change, decarbonisation and energy transition
Pathways to net-zero transport: policies, strategies, governance and finance; electrification, “hydrogenation” and alternative fuelling of transport modes (road, rail, maritime and aviation); climate adaptation of transport infrastructure and services (incl. resilience)
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Impacts and drivers of future travel demand and behaviour
Impacts of remote work, e-commerce and new lifestyles on demand patterns; sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs), 15-minute city, multimodal hubs; walking, cycling, shared and on-demand mobility as part of system re-design -
Social equity, affordability and inclusion
Distributional impacts of transport policies and investments; accessibility for vulnerable users, rural and peripheral regions; public acceptance, behaviour change and communication strategies; inclusion and different equity issues in transport -
Foresight, scenarios and strategic planning
Long-term scenarios of global trends and their implications for transport; integrated modelling and tools for decision support under uncertainty; lessons learned from recent crises (e.g. pandemics, supply chain shocks) -
Transport safety upgrade and automation
Data-driven and real-time analytics in transport safety; connected and automated mobility and related challenges; AI impact on transport operations, safety, security and enforcement
Interdisciplinary and cross-modal contributions are particularly encouraged, as well as case studies, pilot projects and evaluations that translate global trends into practical lessons for policy and practice.
Who are we looking for in our programme?
We invite submissions from transport professionals and practitioners (public authorities, operators, consultants), engineers and technical experts involved in planning, design and operations, politicians and policy-makers at local, regional, national and EU levels, civil society, NGOs and industry representatives engaged with transport, environment, equity or innovation, as well as young researchers and early-career professionals (including PhD students and post-docs). We strongly encourage joint papers authored by researchers and practitioners from varied disciplines.
Types of contributions
Conceptual/strategic and applied/operational contributions are welcome, provided they clearly link to one or more global trends impacting transport may include:
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Research papers and methodological advances
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Policy analyses, strategy papers and evaluations
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Case studies, pilot and demonstration project results
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Comparative and cross-country studies
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Foresight exercises, scenarios and vision papers
Authors are invited to submit an abstract clearly stating:
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Aim and scope of the paper
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Policy, project and/or case study context, with relevant methodology and level of completion
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Key findings or expected results
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Relevance to one or more previously stated GTiT themes and topics.
Accepted contributions may be peer-reviewed (upon request) by the GTiT Programme Committee based on originality and quality, clarity and coherence, and value for both research and practice.
Accepted authors will be invited to present their papers in GTiT sessions at the European Transport Conference 2026, with opportunities for joint committee sessions where topics overlap with other ETC programme committees’ topics and themes.
Join the discussion
GTiT Programme Committee aims to foster a vibrant, open and multidisciplinary dialogue between professionals, politicians, engineers, young researchers and practitioners. By submitting your paper and presentation, you help shape the debate on how transport systems can respond to – and shape – the powerful global forces transforming our world.
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