The objective of the WCTRS is to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas among transport researchers, managers, policy makers, and educators from all over the world, from a perspective which is multi-modal, multi-disciplinary, and multi-sectoral. The Society has become a primary forum for such international exchanges in transport; the World Conferences are the place where leading transport professionals from all countries and areas convene to learn from one another.

One unique role for the WCTRS is to identify emerging issues and opportunities of a policy, managerial, or technical nature which will influence transportation research, policy, management and education in future years. In this way, the Society and the Conference intend to play a strong leadership role in bridging the gaps between research and practice.