Toulouse is hosting 1,500 international experts to rethink the future of transportation

From July 6 to 10, 2026, Toulouse School of Economics and Toulouse Capitole University are honored to host the 17th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR), a key forum for the exchange of ideas among scientists, industry leaders, policymakers, and educators from around the world. Every three years, the World Council on Transport Research organizes this conference, where leading professionals from the transportation sector, representing all countries and fields, come together to learn from one another.

The 50th anniversary of the World Conference on Transport Research will take place on the campus of the Toulouse Capitole University and will be organized by the Toulouse School of Economics. France is hosting the World Conference on Transport Research for the first time since the 1992 conference in Lyon. Toulouse was selected from among 17 international cities to host this world-renowned triennial conference.

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 unparalleled regional context will enable the event to bring together major players in the transportation sector, such as Airbus, SNCF, and Air France.

“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 organizing, promoting, and hosting events of this scale. Beyond the logistical aspects, the WCTR in Toulouse offers the opportunity to drive positive change by bringing together global transportation experts.”
Marc Ivaldi, director of WCTR Toulouse 2026 and professor at TSE and EHESS

More than 1,500 experts from the transportation sector are expected to attend the 17th World Conference on Transportation Research, to be held from July 6 to 10, 2026. The program includes presentations, lectures, panel discussions, and technical tours. As the highlight of the conference, a joint declaration backed by 16 major international transportation companies will be presented, with the aim of shaping the sector’s key directions and uniting stakeholders around a shared vision.

“International conferences such as the WCTR provide an excellent forum for advancing timely topics with significant implications for the future. TSE researchers and students, accustomed to academic excellence, will actively contribute to the debates and discussions taking place during the conference. As a center for economic research, TSE will bring a unique and stimulating perspective to discussions on the challenges and opportunities in the transportation sector.”
Jean Tirole, 2014 Nobel Prize in Economics and honorary president of TSE

The main themes that will shape the event: