2026 CTS Transportation Research Conference

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About the Event

Registration is now open for the 2026 CTS Transportation Research Conference! This annual event convenes researchers and practitioners from Minnesota and the Upper Midwest to highlight the latest innovations in transportation. Attendees learn about research findings, implementation efforts, and engagement activities related to a variety of transportation topics.

This year's program highlights include:

• An opening panel discussion, held in conjunction with CTS's 40th anniversary celebration in 2026, focused on addressing transportation challenges through university–agency collaboration.
• An afternoon keynote from Robert J. Schneider, professor of urban planning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He'll explore what a safer transportation system would look like and the actions that could help make meaningful progress toward Vision Zero in the U.S.
• Twelve concurrent sessions exploring multimodal safety, transit, mobility and access, electric and intelligent vehicles, structures and materials, the transportation workforce, data use, and more.

Check out the conference program for complete session information.

Registration

• Register
• Cost: $125. First-time attendees qualify for a discounted rate of $100. Students may attend for free; contact [email protected] for a discount code before you register.
• Deadline: October 22, 2026 

Who Should Attend

• Policymakers and practitioners from state, local, regional, and national government
• Private-sector consultants, shippers, carriers, and providers
• Faculty, staff, and students from the University of Minnesota and other educational institutions

Credit

Conference attendees are eligible for 7.0 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and 7.0 American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification maintenance credits.

Download the PDH form or the list of sessions approved for AICP credit for your records.

Parking and Transit

The nearest parking is available in the University Avenue Ramp and the Washington Avenue Ramp. 

McNamara Alumni Center is located less than two blocks from the METRO Green Line's East Bank Station on Washington Avenue. Several Metro Transit bus routes also serve the University of Minnesota's Minneapolis campus.

Questions?

Contact Chelsea Arbury Prorok at [email protected].

Sponsor

The conference is sponsored by the Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota.