Call for 2021 Conference Submissions

Submissions (presentations and papers) were due May 3 and are now in the 2nd phase of the reviewing/grading process. Responses will be sent to authors June 21-25. If your submission is accepted, authors are expected to present at the online 2021 TAC Conference & Exhibition (Sept. 20 to Oct. 1).

TAC’s annual conference provides learning and professional growth opportunities for transportation professionals of all levels of governments, private sector companies, academic institutions, and other associations.

Each year, the conference technical program includes sessions on topics related to road and highway infrastructure and urban transportation. Over 300 presenters participate in the technical program to:

• share or gather information on best practices, lessons learned and experiences
• share details of the work they are doing – both successes and challenges – and to receive feedback on it from others
• increase visibility for, or awareness of, a new approach
• network and meet others with similar or complementary interests
• discuss emerging issues and topics
• share interesting research or methods of analysis
• position themselves as leaders or experts
• publish a conference paper

The 2021 Conference technical program will be organized into tracks aligned with TAC’s councils and committees. The tracks may include presentation sessions, panel discussions or both. 

	Active Transportation		Environment		Road Safety		Traffic Operations
	Asset Management		Geometric Design		Small Municipalities		Transportation Finance
	Climate Change		Maintenance & Operations		Soils & Materials		Transportation Planning
	Connected & Automated Vehicles		Mobility Management		Structures		Workforce Development
	Construction		Pavements		Technology

To participate in a presentation session:

1. Submit a 200- to 400-word abstract to be reviewed by a TAC council or committee member. Abstracts are reviewed and graded based on general criteria including:
   1. relevance to session topic and industry concerns
   2. originality or innovative content
   3. clarity of thought and expression
   4. freedom from bias toward commercial interests

2. If your abstract is accepted, you will be required to submit a presentation and/or paper depending on the requirements of that  technical session.
3. If your submission is accepted, you are expected to present at the conference in Fall 2021.

Important Information

• Submissions must be made using TAC’s conference submission portal. When submission is complete, an email confirmation is sent.
• Submissions must be substantially different from any papers or presentations delivered through other organizations.
• Submissions must not favour special interests or be of a commercial nature.
• Submissions will be reviewed for quality, format, and relevance to the session topic, and general interest.
• Authors not adhering to deadlines may be disqualified.
• Authors must confirm that their employer and/or related clients are aware and approve of the submission.
• Authors are responsible for ensuring submission details & author/presenter information is current & up-to-date.
• If the submission is accepted, authors are expected to present at the conference. There will be a limit of two co-presenters per presentation.
• Presenters must register and pay to attend the Conference as a delegate.
• Papers will be published on TAC’s website ‘Conference Papers’ section, the TAC library catalogue and the Transportation Research International Database (TRID).
• Presentations will be recorded and made available by TAC as it sees fit.
• Student papers whose principal author is a registered full-time student at a recognized post-secondary institution will be considered for a Student Paper Award.
• Withdrawals must be requested in writing to Christina Ghazal, Meetings & Events Coordinator.

Deadlines

* Some sessions require papers which also must be submitted by May 3.

Questions? Contact:

Christina Ghazal, Meetings and Events Coordinator
613-736-1350 ext. 236