Smart Transport—Smart Planning
It is our pleasure to announce that the XIII NECTAR International Conference will be held at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (United States of America), from 14 to 16 June 2015.
The transportation field is undergoing a technological revolution in information and communication technologies including “big” data, connected vehicles, modeling techniques, and—just over the horizon—self-driving cars. For these smart transport developments to fulfil their promise, they need to be guided by and deployed in service of smart planning: a planning that improves the fairness of transportation’s distribution and lessens its environmental impact and societal costs. Technological innovations must be implemented in a way that applies the lessons of history on the relationship of transportation and urban form to forestall unwanted outcomes. Fundamentally, these advances must be part of a shift that values accessibility over simple movement as the overarching purpose of transportation. The conference will facilitate interaction between North American and European transport and communications researchers on all these topics.
Ann Arbor is a great venue for the 2015 NECTAR conference. Located at the edge of the metropolitan Detroit region, Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan have deep connections with the North American auto industry cluster. The town itself is a quintessential example of an American college town, with a lively downtown, attractive facilities and destinations for visitors, and a pleasant college campus.
Papers are welcome from the fields of transport, communications and accessibility at large. In addition to the main theme of the conference, themes of specific interest include:
• Networks
• Policy and Environment
• Logistics and Freight
• Commuting, Migration, and Labor Markets
• Accessibility
• Transport Security
• Information and communication technologies
Deadline for abstract submission: 19 January 2015. Abstracts should be submitted electronically, using the form available on the Conference website:
www.taubmancollege.umich.edu/nectar
Criteria for acceptance: the scientific quality of the abstract and NECTAR membership. The number of participants will be limited to 90.
Notification of acceptance: 16 February 2015.
Venue: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Registration, meals and accommodation for two nights (14-15 June 2015) will be offered to NECTAR members, for only one author per paper. All practical details will be communicated through the conference website. In order to participate in the Conference, a consecutive and current two-year NECTAR membership is necessary. Non-members can find details of how to join the association on the “Membership” page of NECTAR’s website:www.nectar-eu.org
Looking forward to meeting you in the spring of 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan!
Karst Geurs
NECTAR Chair
Jonathan Levine
Local Organizer
Conference sponsors:
University Michigan Mobility Transformation Center
NECTAR
University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning