Inland ports and inland navigation have rarely been perceived as digital pioneers so far. This is about to change: "The great interest in the project activities, which we have experienced during the past 3 years by the local industry and from public administrations, makes us very optimistic, that we can expect a significant increase of using innovative IT solutions in inland navigation in the future", is the positive conclusion of ISL project manager Patrick Specht.

 

Contact: Lennart Rolfs
Details: MARS, Project profile
Picture: Five
 
 

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The introduction of the so-called “RIS directive” back in 2005, laid the foundation for digital information services in the European IWT business. But what are the challenges facing the industry today and what about the need for future digital information services? As part of the IW-NET project, ISL colleagues as well as project partner bremenports have investigated these questions with an online survey conducted throughout Europe. Based on the survey results, the authors conclude that future digital services for inland waterway transport should put a stronger focus on the integration of port processes as well as on real-time data sharing and coordination.

 
Contact: Patrick Specht, Mirija Jovic, Nils Meyer-Larsen
Details: What digital information services does inland navigation need?
Picture: TTS GmbH
 
 

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Challenges in using cloud technologies and distributed edge computing for a viable IoT platform consist of making high-resolution data available and processing it and linking it there with AI models. Classical IoT platforms and structures, such as those already used in the wind energy industry, among others, cannot adequately represent the dynamics of the actual life cycle of complex product systems such as wind turbines (WTGs). In this project with the participation of BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik, a flexible, decentralized concept for so-called "Micro Digital Twins" (MDTs) is therefore to be developed and implemented together with the collaborative partner Nordex.
 
Conact: Moritz von Stietencron 
Picture: lago/adobe stock.com
 
 

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The developed meta-learning system selects suitable forecasting methods for preventive condition-based maintenance in production systems. The evaluation was carried out via the forecast quality and logistic key figures, which describe the effects of the derived maintenance measures on the performance of the production system. For this purpose, the meta-learning system was coupled with a production system at BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik, which was represented by a discrete-event simulation model. The integrated production and maintenance planning conditioned by forecasts was done by priority rules constructed by simulation-based optimization.

 

Contact: Hendrik Engbers
Details: Project Profile
Picture: BIBA
 
 

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With the advancing digitalization in industry, the use of complex robotic systems in production and logistics is increasing.  In contrast, there is an increasing shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector. To meet this challenge, the KoMILo research project developed a novel software framework with an intuitive user interface that unifies programming and interaction with technical systems through a visual, block-based programming approach combined with digital twins of the systems. The project, in which BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik is involved, enables non-experts to create and monitor process flows.

 

Contact: Christoph Petzoldt, Dario Niermann
Details: Projectwebsite
Picture: BIBA
 
 

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Production control of delicatessen food production at the project partner is manual. In addition, fluctuations in raw material parameters result in resource losses. In the completed project "Manufaktur 4.0", in which the BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik was involved, a digital twin for simulation-based sequence planning and a sensor and identification concept for a highly individualized implementation of production control were developed. The digitized planning is based on sensor-detectable quality parameters of the raw materials and aims at a reduction of downtimes and environmentally harmful cleaning processes. For validation, a physical twin was used due to corona requirements.

 

Contact: Dr. -Ing. Ann-Kathrin Rohde, Lennart Steinbacher
Details: Project Profile
Picture: Deutsche See GmbH
 
 

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Quantum computers hold unimagined potential for numerous fields of application - including robotics. But research is still in its infancy. In the now completed QINROS project, researchers from the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the University of Bremen have succeeded in using reinforcement learning methods with quantum algorithms for the first time for robot navigation in the context of space exploration. In doing so, they are laying important foundations for research into future technology for robotic applications. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) via the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

 
Contact: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Frank Kirchner
Details: Press Release, Quantum Deep Reinforcement Learning for Robot Navigation Tasks
Picture: DFKI, Florian Cordes
 
 

 

This is another strong endorsement of the excellent research and development at the University of Bremen: The startup Ubica Robotics GmbH, which emerged from the university (AG Prof. Michael Beetz), has now received the EHI Foundation's Science Award, endowed with 50,000 euros, in the category "Best Startup". The award ceremony took place on June 1, 2022, during the EuroCIS trade fair in Düsseldorf. Founded in 2020, Ubica Robotics develops autonomous scanning robots that generate digital images of retail stores. They enable a significant increase in efficiency and productivity in retail business operations.

 

Contact: Prof. Dr. Michael Beetz
Details: Press Release, Ubica Robotics GmbH
Picture: Ubica Robotics GmbH
 
 

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The BIBA researcher Dr. Tobias Sprodowski, Marit Hoff-Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik and Prof. Michael Freitag were awarded the Commended Paper Award of the IFAC Conference on Manufacturing Modeling, Management, and Control (IFAC MIM 2022) for their paper "Balance efficient shuttle routing and fast order execution on a vehicle compound". The paper deals with the optimization of a routing algorithm on an automobile terminal. The 10th IFAC MIM was held in Nantes, France, in June 22-24, 2022. BIBA participated with three papers and talks and organized together with two Brazilian institutes a track on novel methods for planning in production and logistics.

 

Contact: Dr.- Ing. Tobias Sprodowski
Details: BIBA News, IFAC Conference
Picture: IFAC MIM 2022
 
 

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Alexander Lindermayr received one of the Faculty Awards for the best master's thesis in computer science at this year's graduation ceremony of Faculty 3 (Mathematics and Computer Science). In his thesis on "Learning-Augmented Online Algorithms for the 2-Server Problem on the Line and Generalizations", he integrates predictions without quality guarantees into algorithm design and shows mathematical quality guarantees. His thesis was supervised in the Combinatorial Optimization and Logistics group of Prof. Dr. Megow and here Mr. Lindermayr continues his research as a PhD student.

Contact: Prof. Dr. Nicol Megow

 

For many years, the University of Bremen has been cooperating with one of the best universities in Thailand, the Mahidol University in Bangkok. It is one of the strategic partners of the University of Bremen. One of the highlights of the long-standing fruitful cooperation was the establishment of a joint research laboratory on the topic of "Medical Informatics" (Mahidol-Bremen Medical Informatics Research Unit, MIRU) in Thailand in 2018. Now this partnership is being further expanded: The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is funding the establishment of a network of excellence for interdisciplinary cutting-edge research in the field of tropical medicine with around 300,000 euros.

 

Contact: Prof. Dr. Anna Förster
Details: University of Bremen, Network of Excellence in Advanced ICT for Tropical Medicine
Picture: Anna Förster / Universität Bremen
 
 

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After a one-year delay, the planned training within the project "Strategic Support for Accreditation of Programs and Internationalization at South Asian Higher Education Institutes - SSAPI" finally took place in Bremen. IGS was the organizer of the event, which was held from July 4 to 15, 2022 with 40 participants. They come from the 10 SSAPI partner institutes in Bhutan, from the Maldives, from Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as from Portugal. The task of the European partners in this project is to support the Asian universities in their efforts to internationalize and to prepare for their international accreditation. 

Contact: Dr.-Ing. Ingrid Rügge

Details: Finally a face-to-face event again
Picture: Raul Castillo

 

 

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Prof. Dr. Aseem Kinra has been appointed to the Steering and Scientific Committees of the World Conference on Transport Research Society (WCTRS). The WCTRS is the only international society in transportation with a truly global network, bringing together over 1000 world conference attending members from 67 countries to advance and exchange ideas and research across the transport sector.  From academics, practitioners, and students to interested individuals, everyone is invited to join the Society and take part in its activities. The membership in the WCTRS will be free of charge from July 2022 to July 2023.

Contact: Prof. Dr. Aseem Kinra
Details: WCTRS, WCTRS Individual Membership

Picture: WCTRS Society

 

 

 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag, Professor of Production Systems and Logistics in the Faculty of Production Engineering of the University of Bremen and Director of BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik, and Prof. Dr. Herbert Kotzab, Professor of General Business Administration and Logistics Management in the Faculty of Business Studies and Economics of the University of Bremen are the new spokespersons of the LogDynamics research cluster. They succeed Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Klaus-Dieter Thoben.

 

The dual spokespersonship is intended to clearly communicate the interdisciplinarity of the research cluster. LogDynamics continues its active role in the scientific profiling of the University of Bremen and utilizes the synergies of its members with regard to the design and development of intelligent and sustainable production and logistics systems that meet the future requirements of a digitalized economy.

 

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag, Prof. Dr. Herbert Kotzab
Details: Website LogDynamics 
 
 

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Since September 2021, Dr. Lüssem has been a professor at the Institute for Microsensors, Actuators, and Systems (IMSAS) and a member of LogDynamics since July 2022. Prior to his appointment at the University of Bremen, Mr. Lüssem taught at Kent State University in Ohio/USA, and completed his habilitation at TU Dresden. Mr. Lüssem researches the application, integration, and fundamental operation of organic sensors. The mechanical flexibility of organic sensors, their stretchability, and their compatibility with biological systems expands the application field of flexible sensing. However, there is a gap between studies on single sensors and the integration of single sensors in larger systems. The goal of Mr. Lüssem's research is to close this gap and establish organic sensors as a tool in logistics and health, or neuroscience.

  

Contact: Prof. Dr. Björn Lüssem
Details: Institute for Microsensors, -actuators and -systems

Picture: Matej Meza / Universität Bremen

 
 

 

After the ISL Maritime Conference had to take a forced break in 2020 due to the pandemic, the ISL, in cooperation with the Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Bremen, is inviting you back to Bremen and is thus continuing its traditional series of events."Smart Ports & Sustainability" will be the main theme of this year's conference, with a special focus on the digitalization of processes in the maritime industry. In their presentations, the speakers from business, science and politics will address current topics such as decarbonization, resilience, sustainability and the automation of ships and processes, and show possible paths to "Smart Ports & Sustainability".

 

Contact: Prof. Dr. Burkhard Lemper 
Details: ISL Maritime Conference 2022
Picture: ISL
 

 

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July 24 - 29, 2022, online

 

On July 24-29, 2022, WCTRS will host a free virtual conference that will include many dedicated webinars and will cover all WCTR topic areas. Distinguished researchers, industry professionals, and policy makers have been invited to give talks and participate in panel discussions. There are sessions by the World Conference on Transport Research Society Young Researchers’ Initiative (WCTRS-Y) which are of special interest to the young members of WCTRS.

 

Contact: Prof. Dr. Aseem Kinra
Details and Registration
Picture: WCTRS Society

 

 

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September 7 - 9, 2022, Genova, Italy

 

The sixth edition of the International Conference on System-Integrated Intelligence (SysInt) will be held in Genova, Italy, September 7-9, 2022, LogDynamics and BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik are among the co-organizers. Thematically, SysInt deals with the integration of new intelligent functionalities in materials, components, systems and products.

Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details: SysInt 2022
Picture: SysInt  
 
 

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September 15, 2022, 1 - 5 p.m., Bremen

 

On Sept. 15 from 1 p.m., DOCK ONE, together with Lenze and BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik, will provide insights into projects from the field of data-based business models. The event will take place in the new NEOS building in the DIGITAL HUB Industry. From 12 noon, the preliminary program will begin, where participants can exchange and discuss data-based business models in advance. During the event, interesting projects on the topic of data analysis and data processing will be presented for hands-on experience. In addition, there will be the opportunity to take a guided tour of the new NEOS building and DOCK ONE.

 
Contact: Stafan Wiesner
Details and Registration
Picture: Lenze
 

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September 26 and 27, 2022, Bremen

 

The German Academic Society for Logistics Engineering (WGTL e.V.) invites to the 18th Logistics Colloquium in Bremen. The annual event serves to promote the information exchange and the cooperation between scientists and practitioners in the field of logistics engineering and logistics technology. Topics are system design, control engineering and IT systems, planning, analysis, and simulation of logistic system, and management, organization and operation of logistics companies. This year, BIBA is organizing and hosting the event.

 

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag 
Details: Website
Picture: BIBA / WGTL
 
 

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November 1 - 3, 2022, Bremen

 

IFIP-ICEC stands for International Federation for Information Processing - International Conference on Entertainment Computing. The 21st edition of the conference series will be held in Bremen, Germany, November 1-3. The conference brings together practitioners, researchers, companies and artists involved in the design and development of digital entertainment content, among other topics. BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik and the University of Bremen are hosting the conference this year.

 
Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jannicke Baalsrud Hauge
Details: Website
Picture: IFIP-ICEC
 
 

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October 12, 2022, 5:30 p.m., Bremen

 

From October 10-23, 2022 the University of Bremen will once again present itself in the city of Bremen. Lectures, guided tours, workshops & talk sessions let all interested immerse themselves in the world of science and university. LogDynamics and BIBA are also participating again and offer talks around production and logistics. Among other things, we will show how collaborative robots can support humans in their work. We are looking forward to your visit, the registration website will be available in September.
 
Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt
Details: Website
Picture: Univeristy of Bremen
 
 

 

On February 23, the 8th International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics (LDIC 2022) opened its virtual doors with the keynote lecture by Prof. Julia Arlinghaus (Uni Magdeburg), who addressed the risk factors of digitalization technologies in smart factories and supply chains. The second day started with the keynote lecture of Prof. Nils Boysen (Uni Jena), who highlighted new technologies, new delivery concepts and new optimization problems in last mile logistics. On the third day, we welcomed Prof. Dmitry Ivanov (HWR Berlin), who gave a keynote lecture on supply chain resilience. In addition to the parallel sessions with scientific presentations, a PhD Field Day, a virtual tour in the LogDynamics Lab and the presentation of the Best Paper Award offered exciting additions to the program.

 

Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag

Details: LDIC 2022

Picture: Nicolas Kassel

 
 

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Applied research and inquiry-based learning are interesting, finds Sylvia Novillo, former doctoral student at the International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics (IGS). In march, the professor from the Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA) in Quito, Ecuador, came to northern Germany with a group of 15 students for a two-week stay, funded by the DAAD. The group visited Jacobs University, the University of Bremen and BIBA from LogDynamics. After a guided tour of the LogDynamics Lab, the students presented aspects of teaching at UDLA in a joint lecture, very much in the varied style of IGS that Sylvia Novillo has come to appreciate.

 
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Ingrid Rügge
Details: IGS
Picture: Aleksandra Himstedt
 
 

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On April 21, 2022 - the nationwide Supply Chain Day, BIBA opened its doors to an interested audience and hosted an event together with the Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Bremen and the Research Cluster LogDynamics. In three keynote speeches and a panel discussion, we explored the questions of how artificial intelligence can support processes in production and logistics and what the prerequisites are for companies to use AI. In the guided tour in the BIBA Shop Floor Lab, we showed examples of AI-applications in production and logistics and what advantages it offers to companies. Around 75 guests from business and science accepted our invitation and joined in the discussion. 

Contact: Aleksandra Himstedt

Details: Supply Chain Day

Picture: Janine Lancker

 
 

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The 34th annual NOFOMA Conference took place on the 9th and 10th of June 2022 in Reykjavik, Iceland and was organised by the Nordic Logistics Research Network (NOFOMA). NOFOMA is a society of Nordic researchers within the logistics field. The ISL was also on site and presented the paper "Climate Change Adaptation in Maritime Logistics", which contains the results of the BREsilient project. The paper describes the vulnerability of maritime logistics to climate change impacts, as well as corresponding adaptation measures.

 
Contact: Rainer Müller
Details: BREsilient
Picture: B. Zander
 
 

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In June, the H2 strategy workshop of the Northern German Hydrogen Theme Group took place in Hanover. The event pursued the goal of continuing the strategy process as well as working out the strengths and potential of H2 research in northern Germany. As an expert for logistics and maritime application of hydrogen, ISL was also present and presented current projects of the institute in the field of hydrogen. In the course of numerous talks, the various topics in the field of hydrogen were discussed in order to further advance this important topic in cooperation with other scientific institutions.

Contact: Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen
Details: ISL at H2-Workshop
Picture: ISL
 
 

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On June 23 and 24, the Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Bremen presented digital solutions for SMEs at the Bremen marketplace on the occasion of the nationwide Digitaltag. As partners of the competence center, the institutes BIBA and ISL were represented with several demonstrators. For example, the BIBA model factory for digital energy management showed which components companies can use to save costs and increase their sustainability. An ISL demonstrator used Playmobil buildings, vehicles and figures to illustrate the supply chain and the processes involved in the maritime economy and logistics.

 
Contact: Markus Knak
Details: Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Bremen
Picture: Marcus Meyer Photography
 
 

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How can we mechanically place three pallets side by side in a trailer with unstable, sloping walls without damaging the goods? BIBA researchers explored this question in an online workshop using design thinking methods to further develop a loading system for palletized goods for use in tarpaulin trailers. The workshop took place as part of the PaLA project, in which the BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik together with the partners Procter & Gamble, DF-Duro Felguera and BAHAG further develop a loading system for palletized goods.

Contact: Lennart Rolfs

Details: Project Profile

Picture: PaLA

 

 

 

The proceedings of the eighth International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics (LDIC 2022) are now available from Springer Verlag. The conference, which takes place every two years, addresses the identification, analysis and description of dynamics in logistics processes and networks and builds a bridge between theory and application. Special attention is given to the modeling, planning, optimization and control of processes in supply chains, logistic networks, production systems and material flow systems and facilities. Editors of the conference proceedings are Prof. Michael Freitag, Prof. Aseem Kinra, Prof. Herbert Kotzab and Prof. Nicole Megow.

 
Contact: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Freitag
Details: Proceedings
Picture: Springer
 
 

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and the transport industry can derive considerable benefits from innovative concepts and climate-neutral procedures based on hydrogen technologies. With the short study funded by the Kieserling Foundation, ISL demonstrates a methodology that can be used to estimate and reduce the energy consumption of handling, shunting and other machinery as well as equipment required for port operations in Bremerhaven. This potential for saving fossil fuels is an important step on the way to becoming a more sustainable port.

 

Contact: Dr. Nils Meyer-Larsen
Details: ISL short study
Picture: ISL
 
 

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In a recently published scientific paper in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Marija Jovi? from ISL performed in collaboration with co-authors from Slovenia and Croatia a bibliometric, content and thematic analysis of digitalisation in maritime transport and seaports. The research was primarily motivated by the scarcity of similar works offering a comprehensive and recent literature analysis, the advancements of the maritime digitalisation itself, and its influence on all related processes.

 
Contact: Marija Jovic
Details: Digitalization in maritime transport and ports
Picture: iStock
 
 

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In the PrintAI project (Self-learning software platform for 3D printer farms for individualized series production using the example of shoes), BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik is supporting the company Zellerfeld Inc. in the globally unique production of sneakers using the 3D printing process. BIBA is using its expertise in machine learning and quality assurance to develop self-learning quality control loops for economical manufacturing. The goal is to increase printing speed while maintaining high quality by optimizing printing parameters. Feel free to tune in and learn more from our new video.

 
Contact: Markus Kreutz, Markus Trapp
Details: PrintAI, Video
Picture: KONTRAST Medien und Marketing
 
 

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Digital assistants in production can help to reduce the training time on machines and equipment and to avoid quality problems. In the COALA project, BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik is developing a digital intelligent assistant that uses artificial intelligence to support workers in production. The digital assistant is designed to take over time-consuming and stressful tasks, while humans focus on understanding and solving problems in complex, knowledge-intensive situations. Our new video shows how this works in practice.

Contact: Stefan Wellsandt, Indah Lengkong

Details: COALA, Video

Picture: KONTRAST Medien und Marketing

 
 

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What exactly is robotics? Where do logisticians need robots? And what can logistics robots do? These are questions that Christoph Petzoldt - head of the "Robotics and Automation" department at the BIBA - Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik explores. In a ten-part short video series, topics relating to the field of "Robotics in Logistics" are addressed and explained in an easy-to-understand manner. The video series is suitable for beginners and anyone who is interested in the topic.

 
Contact: Christoph Petzoldt
Details: Playlist
Picture: DVZ-Blue-Rocket-Erklär-Videos
 
 

 

The 14th International Conference on Software, Knowledge, Information Management and Applications (SKIMA 2022) will be held together with the International Workshop on University and Digital Sustainability from 2 to 4 December 2022 in Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech University), Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The conference welcomes researchers and practitioners from academia, industries, research institutions, R&D enterprise services and governmental organizations to share their ideas, experiences, and insights. Digital Transformation of a sustainable university will be one of the main focused areas of SKIMA 2022. Paper Submission Deadline: August 30, 2022.

 
Contact: Dr.-Ing. Ingrid Rügge
Details: SKIMA, Call for Papers
Picture: SKIMA
 
 

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The 16th World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR) will be held at CIRRELT in Montreal, Canada, from Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 24, 2023. WCTR bring together experts in all areas of transport research from all parts of the world and to stimulate the exchange of ideas in the field of transport policy and practice. Acceptance to the conference is based on the submission of full papers on WCTR topic areas. The deadline for submission of full paper for review is on October 15, 2022.

 
Contact: Prof. Dr. Aseem Kinra
Details: WCTRS, WCTR2023
Picture: WCTRS Society