TRA2026 ReGeneration in transport: Budapest, Hungary 18-21 May 2026

Join Us at TRA 2026 – Shaping the Future of Transport in Budapest!

The Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026 in Budapest is the largest Transport Research and Innovation Conference in Europe. This major event brings together stakeholders from all transport sectors—road, rail, waterborne, and aviation—fostering collaboration between research and industry communities. It provides a unique platform for exchanging ideas with policymakers on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of transport.

TRA 2026 welcomes a diverse audience, including researchers, academics, students, young professionals, engineers, infrastructure managers, transport operators, SMEs, start-ups, industry leaders, vehicle manufacturers, shipbuilders, public authorities, governmental bodies, NGOs, and other key decision-makers. The event features plenary sessions, technical discussions, exhibitions, and live demonstrations, creating an engaging environment for knowledge exchange and innovation.

Co-organised by the European Commission and the Hungarian host, TRA 2026 is set to be an inspiring gathering in a country renowned for its creative and revolutionary minds. The conference aims to bring together forward-thinking individuals dedicated to revitalizing and future-proofing mobility in an era of transformation.

Be part of the movement! Join us in Budapest to explore, discuss, and innovate for the future of transport.

TRA VISIONS 2026 – Celebrating Innovation in Transport Research

As part of the TRA 2026 Conference in Budapest, the TRA VISIONS competition invites both young and senior researchers from across Europe to share their visionary ideas for innovative transport solutions.

What will future mobility look like? How can we meet the growing demands placed on our transport systems—road, rail, waterborne, air, and cross-modal? Which sustainable and efficient solutions can address today’s and tomorrow’s mobility challenges? TRA VISIONS aims to answer these questions through the creativity and expertise of the research community.

First launched in 2014, TRA VISIONS is a well-established European competition designed to showcase cutting-edge transport research and boost the competitiveness of the European transport sector. The competition is fully integrated into the TRA 2026 Conference, offering visibility and recognition to the most outstanding ideas through awards, presentations, and dedicated sessions.

Two Competitions, One Vision

In 2026, TRA VISIONS will host two parallel competitions:

• Young Researcher Competition: Open to undergraduate students and early-stage researchers, this competition invites projects in all areas of transport studies.

• Senior Researcher Competition: Open to experienced researchers, this competition focuses on innovative concepts derived exclusively from EU-funded projects.

Both competitions are divided into five categories based on transport modes:
🚗 Road | 🚆 Rail | 🚢 Waterborne | ✈️ Air | 🔀 Cross-modality (Passenger Transport & Logistics)

Each category encompasses key areas such as electric and autonomous vehicles, rail electrification, green shipping corridors, sustainable aviation fuels, and multimodal logistics—reflecting the full spectrum of innovation in mobility.

Special Awards

In addition to the core competitions, TRA VISIONS 2026 will feature:

• The Special Honorary Award, recognizing a senior researcher with a distinguished career in transport research and innovation.

• The newly introduced Host Award, aligned with the theme of TRA 2026: “Re-generation in Transport.” This award will highlight pioneering work addressing the urgent and complex transformations needed in the sector, driven by environmental, societal, and technological change.

Winners will be honored during a special award ceremony, and many will be invited to present their work as part of the TRA 2026 program.

More details, including the official Call for Contributions, will be available in early 2025. Stay tuned and start shaping your vision for the future of transport!

Visit: www.traconference.eu