The UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies is delighted to announce the inaugural Pacific Coast Transportation Workshop on policy and planning.
Join us in Los Angeles from Friday February 20 to Saturday February 21, 2026. We look forward to discussing research and exchanging ideas in a small, relaxed setting.
Questions and Answers
Why are you holding this workshop? We aim to provide a low-cost forum that fosters deeper connections between transportation scholars and that stimulates new ideas. The program will focus on a smaller number of thought-provoking papers and reserve ample time for discussion. We will have a mix of full-length presentations with discussants, and brief “egg timer” talks.
Who can attend? The workshop is aimed at faculty, postdocs, PhD students, and other researchers working in the broad areas of transportation policy and planning. We particularly encourage scholars in western North America to attend.
How do I submit a paper? Please submit an extended abstract of up to 1,000 words here by 5pm Pacific Time on Friday November 14. Abstracts should follow a three-part structure: questions, methods, results. We invite unpublished empirical and theoretical papers on any topic, using any research method, related to transportation policy and planning. There is a maximum of one submission per presenting author.
What are the criteria for review? Abstracts will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Question: Is the research question important and interesting, and within the broad scope of transportation policy and planning?
- Methods: Do the authors have a way to answer that question?
- Results: Do results exist already, or is there a credible plan to have results by the workshop date?
When will I find out about my paper? We aim to make decisions by mid-December.
Who is organizing the workshop? The UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies, with support from a steering committee: Jesus Barajas (UC Davis), Marlon Boarnet (USC), Anne Brown (University of Oregon), Michael Manville (UCLA), Juan Matute (UCLA), Adam Millard-Ball (UCLA), and Deborah Salon (ASU).
Where will the workshop be held? We will be hosted by the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
How can I register? Registration will open in December for presenters and others on a first-come, first-served basis. A registration fee of $75 ($40 for students) will cover lunches on Friday and Saturday and other light refreshments.
Where can I stay? We have reserved a block of rooms at the Inn at UCLA, which is across the street from the workshop location in the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. The cost is $229/night, including tax and breakfast. This rate is highly competitive for the area.
How can I find out more? Email the team at uclaits@ucla.edu.