Invitation

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

With SuTra 2026 drawing closer, the Organising Committee is pleased to share the Third and Final Call for Papers and invite you to join us in Opatija.
We warmly invite researchers, practitioners, policymakers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to take an active role in the SuTra 2026 programme. Alongside scientific and professional contributions, the conference will include panels, project sessions, and thematic activities designed to support focused dialogue on issues that will continue to shape sustainable transport beyond the conference itself.
Building on the established SuTra conference series, the 2026 edition will address current challenges related to environmental impact, digital transformation, system resilience, and the integration of advanced technologies across all transport modes. It will bring together scientific, professional, and policy perspectives on sustainable transport and related fields.
This is the third and final open call circulated to the wider academic and professional community. To allow additional time for interested authors, the abstract submission deadline has been extended from 1 July 2026 to 10 July 2026. Following the announced submission and registration deadlines, further conference updates will be communicated directly to authors and participants who have submitted an abstract, project summary, or full paper and/or completed registration.

Conference scope

Contributors are invited in, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Sustainable and green transport
• Transport systems, infrastructure, and logistics
• Smart mobility and urban transport
• Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and data-driven transport systems
• Navigation, safety, and resilience of transport systems
• Modelling, optimisation, and simulation
• Human factors, policy, and education

Detailed topics – disciplinary and modal topics, and cross-cutting themes – are available on the conference website. The conference particularly encourages interdisciplinary contributions bridging research, industry, and policy. Contributions fitting the broader scope of sustainable transport are also welcome.

Publication opportunities and types of submissions

The conference accepts abstracts for presentation and inclusion in the Book of Abstracts, and full papers for publication in the Conference Proceedings.

Contributions related to project dissemination should be submitted in the form of a project summary. Project summaries will be published in the Book of Abstracts

Abstracts, project summaries, and full papers must be prepared using the official conference templates available on the conference website

Authors submitting a full paper are also required to submit a separate abstract

Selected full papers may be invited after the conference for submission of extended versions to partner journals

The current list partner journals supporting SuTra 2026 conference are listed on the conference website

Extended manuscripts must demonstrate a clear and substantial extension beyond the conference paper and will undergo an independent peer review process in accordance with the respective journal’s editorial policy. An invitation to submit does not guarantee acceptance for publication.

Presentation formats

Accepted contributions may be presented as either oral or poster presentations. Oral presentations are supported by presentation slides. Templates for both presentation formats are available on the conference website.
Authors may indicate their preferred presentation format during submission. However, the final allocation will be determined by the Organising Committee.

Important dates

• Abstract submission deadline, for inclusion in the Book of Abstracts: 10 July 2026
• Notification of abstract acceptance: 20 July 2026
• Early registration deadline: 30 July 2026
• Full paper submission deadline: 1 September 2026
• Notification of paper acceptance: 20 September 2026
• Publication of the final conference programme: 15 October 2026
• Conference dates: 4-6 November 2026

Special event: Inno2Mare project

As part of the broader conference programme, SuTra 2026 will host the final dissemination event of the Inno2Mare project, providing a platform for the presentation of project results, pilot activities, and policy-oriented discussions (www.inno2mare.eu). The event will include:

• high-level panel discussions with international stakeholders
• presentation of project pilots and outcomes
• integration with the main conference sessions

Additional special sessions and events, including exhibitions and thematic activities, will be announced on the conference website as the conference programme is finalised.

Preliminary programme

• 4 November 2026, Wednesday: Arrival of participants, registration, Inno2Mare project activities, cocktail reception, informal networking, and ice-breaking event
• 5 November 2026, Thursday: Opening ceremony, plenary lectures and keynote speakers, high-level and thematic panel sessions, scientific sessions, poster sessions, Inno2Mare project dissemination activities, exhibition and demonstration activities, and conference gala dinner
• 6 November 2026, Friday: Thematic panel sessions, scientific sessions, student sessions, poster sessions, project dissemination sessions, workshops or special thematic activities, best contribution award, and closing ceremony

Please note that the conference programme is currently under development. The preliminary programme structure is provided above, while the final programme, including confirmed sessions, speakers, presentation slots, and room allocation, will be published on the conference website once finalised.

Venue and information

Venue: Hotel Admiral, Opatija, Croatia

Dates: 4-6 November 2026

Website: https://sutra-conference.com/

All updates regarding submissions, programme, and additional opportunities will be published on the conference website

We are excited to welcome you to SuTra 2026 in Opatija and look forward to your contributions.

SuTra 2026 Organising Committee

We are pleased to announce the International Conference on Sustainable Transport – SuTra 2026, which will take place from 4 to 6 November 2026 in Opatija, Croatia, at Hotel Admiral.

Building on the established tradition of SuTra conferences, SuTra 2026 will continue to serve as an international interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of scientific research, professional practice, and policy perspectives in the field of sustainable transport.

Globalisation, climate change, technological transformation, and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping transport systems worldwide. Increasing demands for the movement of goods and passengers place growing pressure on infrastructure, energy resources, the environment, and safety. Ensuring the sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of transport systems has therefore become a critical scientific, engineering, and societal challenge.

SuTra 2026 addresses these challenges through multidisciplinary and cross-sector dialogue, bringing together expertise from engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, economics, and policy studies. The conference promotes an integrated systems perspective, recognising that sustainable transport solutions must consider interactions between different transport modes, technologies, users, and regulatory frameworks.

The scope of the conference addresses sustainability across all major transport domains, including:

• maritime transport, navigation and ports
• rail transport
• road transport
• air transport
• inland waterways
• intermodal and multimodal transport systems.

The conference welcomes contributions that examine transport systems from strategic, operational, technological, environmental, and societal perspectives, as well as those that bridge research and real-world implementation.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• sustainable transport systems and policies
• decarbonisation, alternative fuels, and energy efficiency
• climate impacts, resilience, and risk management in transport
• smart transport systems, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence
• transport safety, human factors, and decision-making
• ports, logistics, and supply chain sustainability
• intermodality and transport network optimisation
• transport infrastructure planning and management
• environmental assessment, emissions, and monitoring
• education, training, and competence development in transport.

We warmly invite participation from researchers and academics, industry professionals and technology providers, public authorities and policymakers, practitioners and consultants, and doctoral candidates and early-career researchers.

Contributions will include scientific and professional presentations, with opportunities for participant-initiated special sessions, panels, and thematic workshops. Detailed information on submission formats, deadlines, review procedures, publication options, and registration will be announced in subsequent calls and published progressively on the conference website. In the following calls, you can expect information on:

• important dates
• build-up of the conference programme
• keynote speakers
• committees
• submission guidelines
• accommodation and travel
• and other information.

The conference will be held in Opatija, one of Croatia’s most established conference destinations, with a long tradition of hosting international scientific and professional events. Known for its historic role on the Adriatic, Opatija combines elegant architecture, a distinctive urban character, and the understated beauty typical of small coastal towns.

The conference venue, Hotel Admiral, is located directly on the seafront, with conference spaces overlooking the Adriatic. Architecturally shaped to evoke a ship moored at the shoreline, the hotel reflects Opatija’s maritime identity and long-standing connection to the sea. The surrounding open sea, sky, and coastal landscape provide a setting that naturally resonates with the conference focus on sustainable transport, mobility, and the responsible use of natural resources.

We invite you to save the date and join usin Opatija in November 2026 to contribute to shaping the future of sustainable transport!

Organising Committee

International Conference on Sustainable Transport – Sutra 2026

From September 26 to 28, 2024, in the beautiful setting of Sveti Martin na Muri, the 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Transport – SuTra 2024 – was held.
The event, organized by the Department for Logistics and Sustainable Mobility at the University North and the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the University of Rijeka, brought together more than 150 domestic and international experts in the fields of transport, logistics, urban planning, and related disciplines. Over three days of intense discussions, presentations, and panel sessions, key aspects of sustainable mobility were explored.

Opening Ceremony: Shared Goals of Education and the Profession

The conference was officially opened with welcome speeches by the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at the University North, Assoc. Prof. Vlado Tropša, Ph.D., and the Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the University of Rijeka, Prof. Ana Perić Hadžić, Ph.D. Representing the Rector of University North, Prof. Marin Milković, Ph.D., Vice-Rector Tropša emphasized that active participation in such events is essential for University North.
“Tracking innovations and changes in the profession, as showcased in conferences like this, allows us to implement these developments into our teaching process, thereby raising the quality of education for our students and advancing the profession regionally and internationally,” stated Vice-Rector Tropša.

Dean Perić Hadžić stressed the importance of connecting industry and educational institutions to find sustainable solutions that contribute to the development of transport and infrastructure. She highlighted that events like this not only create a platform for knowledge exchange but also foster networking among experts, encouraging collaborative efforts to address modern transportation challenges.

The attendees were also greeted by Rudi Grula, Director of the Tourist Board of Međimurje County, and Josip Grivec, Deputy Prefect of Međimurje County, both of whom played a significant role in supporting the organization of this event.

Diverse Program: Discussions, Presentations, and Panel Sessions

Building on the success of the first edition held in 2022 in Opatija, SuTra 2024 offered a rich and diverse program that included eight thematic sessions, four panel discussions, and two keynote presentations. Topics ranged from the collaboration between local authorities and institutions on improving traffic safety and sustainable infrastructure development to the role of rural mobility in supporting rural tourism, and the impact of generative artificial intelligence on transportation systems.

Key themes such as sustainable transport, smart cities, maritime and land transport, as well as air, rail, and road transportation, were at the heart of engaging discussions throughout the conference. Of particular interest was a panel on the opportunities for collaboration between higher education institutions through the Civitas program, which brings together educational institutions and professionals to improve knowledge and practices in the field of sustainable mobility.

As part of the conference, renowned international experts Sergio A. Useche and Stephanie E. Trpkov delivered two keynote speeches. Additionally, there was a book launch for “Energy Transition – The Hydrogen Paradigm”, authored by Darko Pavlović and Melita Srpak. In the context of European policies and global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this book provides a valuable contribution to understanding the potential of hydrogen technologies as solutions for the future.

Global Perspective, Local Solutions: The Importance of Multidisciplinary Collaboration

One of the key messages of the SuTra 2024 conference was the importance of collaboration between different disciplines and sectors in order to develop and implement sustainable transportation solutions successfully. Experts agreed that solutions in the transport sector must be integrated with urban planning, environmental protection, and social development. Only through joint efforts, experience-sharing, and continuous research can strategies be created that meet current needs while ensuring sustainable development for future generations.

The SuTra conference has already become a recognized platform for discussing transport issues and exchanging ideas among professionals. Through this conference, University North and the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the University of Rijeka continue their commitment to advancing the profession and strengthening cooperation between the academic community, industry, and public institutions.

Additionally, the conference was attended by University North’s Vice-Rectors, Prof. Anica Hunjet, Ph.D., and Prof. Goran Kozina, Ph.D., as well as the Faculty of Maritime Studies’ Vice-Deans, Assoc. Prof. David Brčić, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Srđan Žuškin, Ph.D., and Prof. Edvard Tijan, Ph.D. Heads of departments and divisions at University North also attended, including Prof. Krešimir Buntak, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Predrag Brlek, Ph.D., Prof. Dinko Primorac, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. Tomislav Veliki, Ph.D.