Call for papers

We are pleased to announce that the XXVIII Conference of the Italian Society of Transport Economics and Logistics (SIET) will be on the  September 10th-11th, 2026 will be organized by IRPET (Istituto Regionale per la Programmazione Economica della Toscana, and will be held in Florence. The title of this year’s Conference is “Building Connections to tackle Protectionism, Environmental Challenges, and Inequality”.

In a global context marked by rising geopolitical tensions and a resurgence of protectionist policies, a territory’s ability to maintain and strengthen its competitiveness increasingly depends on the density and quality of its connections: physical, digital, social, and economic. Expanding connections means not only enhancing material and immaterial infrastructures, but also ensuring that they are accessible and equitable, thereby reducing territorial inequalities and promoting inclusion.

Investing in sustainable and integrated infrastructures, such as multimodal transport networks, digital infrastructures, and green energy corridors, thus becomes a strategic lever to counteract economic and territorial isolation, foster cohesion, and strengthen the resilience of local economies. At the same time, equity and accessibility must be at the heart of public policies, so that competitiveness does not lead to polarization, but rather to widespread and shared development.

From this perspective, connectivity and sustainability policies should be conceived as tools of territorial and social integration, capable of generating positive externalities, attracting investment, and strengthening a territory’s position within global value networks. Only through an integrated and cooperative approach, based on intelligent and inclusive interconnections, will it be possible to combine openness and sustainability, growth and cohesion, competitiveness and territorial justice. The Conference aims at promoting both theoretical and applied research, with an interest in policy implications, while fostering interactions among researchers, practitioners, policy makers and experts on recent advancements for the understanding of mobility.

Papers are welcome on issues dealing with (but not limited to): transport planning methods, project evaluation, environmental impact of transportation, supply chains, transport decarbonization, energy and transport, sustainable transport policies, active mobility, urban transport policy, city logistics, transport and social inclusion, travel behaviour, accessibility, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), regulation, safety, health, etc. Beyond these topics, any subject directly or indirectly connected to Transport Economics and Logistics is welcome. Different methodological approaches in economic and statistical analysis are also welcome, including ex-ante evaluation and impact assessment methods as well as traditional behavioural and experimental economics approaches.

Keynotes

Professors Enrico Giovannini – Università di Roma Tor Vergata and Alleanza Italiana per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile and Juan Montero – European University Institute, Florence School of Regulation, will serve as the keynote speakers at this year’s conference.

Extended Abstract submission

Interested presenters should submit an extended abstract (1000 to 2000 words) by March 31st, 2026 April 18th, 2026, using the template available in Italian (here) or in English (here). Submission is made through the module available here. The abstract should clearly state the research question(s), the methodology, the main (or expected) results and a list of selected references. Organizers will later consider the possibility to publish accepted extended abstracts in Rivista di economia e politica dei trasporti (REPoT). Additional publication opportunities may be proposed at a later stage.

Call for Special Sessions

Interested scientists can propose special thematic sessions by February 28th, 2026, at the following mail: conferenzaSIET2026@gmail.com. These sessions will typically consist of 4 contributions, that should be specified by the proponent. The submission should include the name(s) of the proponent(s), title of the session, an abstract (maximum 200 words, 3-4 keywords), and a list of possible contributions (title, author(s), affiliations, corresponding contacts). Special sessions from other scientific associations are welcome.

Awards

During the conference, SIET will assign the following awards:

• SIET Prize for PhD Thesis in Transport Economics: a EUR 1,000 prize, funded by the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Settentrionale, awarded to the best doctoral thesis in transport economics discussed at an Italian university in 2025 or by April 2026.
• SIET Best Paper Award: an award for young researchers under 35, dedicated to an outstanding unpublished paper in the field of transport economics and logistics. The prize consists of EUR 300 and a two-year SIET membership fee waiver.
• 2026 SIET – Interporto Toscano A. Vespucci Best Paper Award: a new EUR 1,750 award, granted by Società Interporto Toscano A. Vespucci S.p.A., focusing on intermodality, logistics, freight transport, multimodal accessibility and the role of territorial infrastructure in supporting more sustainable transport systems.

Important dates

•    Proposal for Special Session deadline: February 28th, 2026 
•    Extended Abstract submission deadline: March 31st, 2026 April 18th, 2026
•    Accepted abstracts notification: April 15th, 2026 April 30th, 2026
•    Early bird conference registration: May, 15th 2026

Scientific Committee:
Francesco Alberti – Università degli studi di Firenze, Oliviero Baccelli – Università Bocconi – SIET, Angela Stefania Bergantino – Università degli studi di Bari – SIET, Angelo Facchini – Scuola IMT Alti Studi Lucca, Giovanni Ferrara – Università degli studi di Firenze, Claudio Ferrari – Università degli studi di Genova – SIET, Silvia Ferrini – Università degli studi di Siena, Valerio Gatta – Università degli studi Roma Tre – SIET, Giuseppe Gori – IRPET, Patrizia Lattarulo – IRPET, Elena Maggi – Università degli studi dell’Insubria – SIET, Mirco Nanni – ISTI-CNR, Angela Parenti – Università degli studi di Pisa, Maria Grazia Pazienza – Università degli studi di Firenze, Leonardo Piccini – IRPET, Chiara Rapallini – Università degli studi di Firenze, Lucia Rotaris – Università degli studi di Trieste – SIET, Laura Razzolini – University of Alabama, Nicola Sciclone – IRPET, Mario Sebastiani – SIPOTRA, Laura Varela-Candamio – Universidade da Coruña

Local Organizing Committee:
Damiano Baldaccini – Università Bicocca, Giuseppe Gori – IRPET, Patrizia Lattarulo – IRPET, Leonardo Piccini – IRPET, Gabriel Navarro Tilloca – Scuola IMT Alti Studi Lucca

Technical Secretariat:
Irina Di Ruocco – Università degli studi di Trieste, Evgeniia Shtele – Università degli studi dell’Insubria, Elena Zangheri – IRPET

Contacts:
IRPET – Istituto Regionale per la Programmazione Economica della Toscana
conferenzaSIET2026@gmail.com