2026 CTS Transportation Research Conference
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 8:30 am–4:30 pm
In‑person
University of Minnesota
200 Oak Street SE, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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 focused on addressing future 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 discuss the importance of identifying our traffic safety gaps and highlight actions to 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 will be eligible for Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification maintenance credits. Details will be available closer to the event.
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.