Call for Papers
The Transportation Research Forum (TRF) presents the best of current research and practice in transportation, emphasizing innovation and quantified experience. The TRF Annual Conference is the foremost international gathering of academic researchers, practitioners, graduate students, top research think tanks, and industry technology developers.
For our 64th annual forum, join transportation researchers, practitioners, and students from all over the globe at the DePaul University campus in downtown Chicago, Illinois.
The TRF conference provides academics, practitioners, and students the forum to present the best of current research, innovations, and trends in the transportation field. Suggested topic areas include air, rail, maritime, road, agricultural and other supply chain issues, issues related to transportation policies, empirical transportation research, safety, “shared mobility”, environmental planning, technology implications for transportation and disaster relief.
We invite academics, students, and practitioners to submit their papers and posters in accordance with the schedule below. Our Submissions Portal is also below.
Paper/Poster Submission Deadlines:
Early Bird Abstract Submissions Due:
October 22, 2022
Early Bird Acceptance Notification:
November 5, 2022
(Submissions may be chosen for either a poster or lectern session.)
Regular Abstract Submissions (including Students Submissions) Due:
January 25, 2023
Acceptance Notifications:
February 10, 2023
(Submissions may be chosen for either a poster or lectern session.)
Poster and Paper Due:
March 23, 2023
We assign discussants to all podium presentations. So that the discussants can prepare we need your “papers” by this date. We are flexible with the definition of “papers”, but we do need something so that discussants can do their work. We intend to post papers in a private version of the program that is only accessible to registered attendees. Papers received by this date will also be entered for prize.
Author Registration Deadline:
March 25, 2023
Posters and Papers Due:
April 1, 2023
Conference Sessions:
April 20-21, 2023
(Most student papers will be schedule on April 20 while most non-student papers will be April 21)
Abstract Submission Portal
Click here to access the submission portal. You will be instructed to create a login if you do not already have one. Don’t worry, creating an account only takes a minute.
General Expectations of All Submissions
- Original: explores a new idea, project, or issue; discusses existing research with the promise of new insight; discusses new research; or presents new ways of considering existing information
- Engaging: has the potential to draw a large number of conference attendees by addressing the needs of the transportation researchers and practitioners
- Significant: raises and discusses transportation-related issues
- Quality: provides data and literature support for arguments and conclusions
Abstract Format
- Abstracts submitted should be no more than 500 words; 3-5 keywords should be provided along with the abstract.
- Content must be original and relevant to TRF.
- Please ensure all articles are proofread and checked for accuracy prior to submission.
- The acceptance decisions will consider the originality, importance, and relevance of the topic to transportation and the clarity of the abstract.
Paper and Poster Format
Papers
- All presenters accepted for lectern presentation are required to submit a paper, which must be in English and up to 30 pages with references. Those accepted for poster presentations do not submit posters.
- We are flexible with the definition of “papers” but we do need something so that discussants can do their work. Although we welcome full-length academic papers, we accept shortened versions of 10 – 14 pages, including title page, exhibits, and references, if your research is still underway.
- We intend to post papers in a private version of the program that is only accessible to registered attendees. Papers received by the deadline will also be entered for prize consideration.
- Authors are required to ensure the accuracy of quotations, citations, diagrams, maps, and tables.
- Figures and tables need to be placed where they are to appear in the text and must be clear and easy to view.
- Podium presentations will require authors to have their presentation in either PowerPoint or PDF format (preferably on a USB drive). Presentations will last 30 minutes, including time for Q&A.
Graduate Student Papers
The content and formatting requirements and review criteria from above apply.
Academic and Practitioner Posters:
- A 150 word abstract of the poster topic should be submitted; 3-5 keywords should be provided along with the abstract.
- Content must be original and relevant to TRF.
- Please ensure all articles are proofread and checked for accuracy prior to submission.
- A 3’ x 5’ standard poster board is recommended. An easel will be provided for displaying the poster. Because of space limitations, your poster display should not be more than 5 feet wide.
- The PPT/pdf submission should represent the fit for the above dimensions.
- If your poster describes a collaborative project, other contributors should be listed as co-authors on your poster.
- Presenters should be at their poster for the duration of the session to explain and answer questions from attendees.
- The poster should be as self-explanatory as possible. When someone visits a poster, you should offer to walk them through the poster and explain your research. But in some cases, the visitor will simply read the poster without your input. Be sure to number the pages or use other indicators to guide the reader from one section to another.
- We will have blank 3’ x 5’ poster boards and glue/tape on hand if you would like to bring only a printout of your poster and affix it upon arrival.
Graduate Student Posters
The content and formatting requirements and review criteria from above apply.
Themed Sessions
We welcome themed session proposals from any individual or organization as part of the regular paper submission process. Session proposals are limited to one per organization. Hosted sessions are available to organizations that sponsor the Annual Forum at any level. Organizations that host a session at the Annual Forum will be acknowledged at the session, have the ability to choose a general theme for the session (e.g., Agricultural Transportation or Passenger Air Transportation), and they will have representation on the committee that chooses papers and any paper awards for the session. However, to preserve the academic integrity of the Transportation Research Forum and its Annual Forum, all final decisions on papers and awards will be made by a representative of the Transportation Research Forum.
Post Conference Publication and Indexing
TRF does not publish conference proceedings. Accepted full papers will be made available to conference participants on the TRF website. Authors are invited to submit their papers for inclusion and publication in the Journal of the Transportation Research Forum, which is included in RETREC, published by Elsevier. Manuscripts to be considered for publication in the Journal of the Transportation Research Forum should be submitted at https://trforum.org/journal-of-the-trf/jtrfsubmissions.
