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Nanjing has long been a city where history and innovation coexist. The former imperial capital, with its ancient walls and rapidly evolving skyline, provided an appropriate setting for one of the most forward-looking transport gatherings of the year. From 25 to 29 October, international experts, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders came together for the International Seminar on Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies in Road Transport and the International Smart Transportation Symposium (ISTS 2026), an event jointly organised by PIARC, the China Highway & Transportation Society, the International Road Federation and a number of leading Chinese institutions. The symposium carried the theme "New Quality Engine, AI Empowerment: Frontier Interdisciplinarity and Innovative Practice in Smart Transportation", reflecting both the ambition and the breadth of the discussions that unfolded throughout the week.
While artificial intelligence has featured prominently at transport conferences for several years, ISTS 2026 felt different. The conversation was no longer centred on future potential or exploratory pilots. Instead, delegates focused on deployment, operational experience and the practical realities of integrating AI into everyday transport systems. Across plenary sessions, technical forums and international discussions, a clear message emerged. Artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from research laboratories and innovation programmes into the operational core of transport networks.
The involvement of PIARC's Technical Committees 2.4 on Road Network Operations and Intelligent Transport Systems for Sustainability and 2.5 on Road Infrastructure for Connected and Automated Mobility gave the event a particularly international perspective. Their presence ensured that discussions extended far beyond individual projects or national priorities. Delegates examined how infrastructure, digital platforms and policy frameworks can evolve together to support connected, automated and increasingly intelligent mobility systems.
A recurring theme throughout the week was the emergence of AI foundation models for transport. Sessions explored how large-scale AI models are beginning to transform traffic management, operational decision making and network optimisation. The challenge is no longer simply collecting data. Most transport authorities already possess vast quantities of information from roadside systems, connected vehicles, mobile devices and operational control centres. The question now is how to interpret that information quickly enough and intelligently enough to create meaningful outcomes.
Speakers described a future in which AI systems act as operational partners, helping managers identify incidents earlier, predict network disruptions and recommend interventions before problems escalate. Such capabilities promise not only greater efficiency but also more resilient transport systems capable of responding dynamically to unexpected events.
The symposium also highlighted the growing importance of digital road networks. Discussions around smart infrastructure focused on the creation of increasingly connected environments capable of communicating with vehicles, traffic management platforms and maintenance systems. The concept of infrastructure as a passive asset is steadily disappearing. Instead, roads are beginning to function as active participants within a digital mobility ecosystem.
This evolution is particularly relevant to automated driving. Several sessions explored how infrastructure can support connected and automated vehicles, an area that aligns closely with PIARC's ongoing work. Presentations showcased examples of smart corridors, digital mapping solutions and vehicle to infrastructure communication systems that aim to enhance safety while enabling higher levels of automation. Rather than viewing automated vehicles as standalone technologies, speakers emphasised the importance of integrating them into a broader framework involving communications networks, operational standards and intelligent infrastructure.
Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of ISTS 2026 was its willingness to explore the wider implications of artificial intelligence. Dedicated sessions examined legal frameworks, policy development and standards for AI deployment in transport. These discussions recognised a reality increasingly confronted by transport authorities across the world. Technological capability is advancing rapidly, often faster than the regulatory environment surrounding it.
Questions relating to accountability, transparency and ethical decision making featured prominently. Delegates considered how policymakers can encourage innovation while maintaining public confidence in increasingly automated systems. The debate reflected a growing maturity within the sector. Artificial intelligence is no longer viewed solely as a technical challenge. It is equally a governance challenge requiring collaboration across engineering, policy, academia and industry.
Sustainability remained firmly embedded within the agenda. PIARC's participation helped ensure that discussions addressed not only efficiency and automation but also broader social and environmental outcomes. Presentations explored how AI can contribute to reduced congestion, lower emissions and more effective use of transport infrastructure. The emphasis was not simply on moving vehicles more efficiently but on creating transport systems that better support wider societal objectives.
Several sessions examined public transport and logistics applications, demonstrating how AI can improve service reliability, optimise routing and enhance operational performance. Freight operators and public transport providers increasingly face pressure to achieve more with limited resources. Artificial intelligence was presented not as a replacement for human expertise but as a tool capable of augmenting decision making and improving productivity.
Another notable feature was the event's strong emphasis on international collaboration. Alongside technical sessions were dedicated forums involving partners from Australia, the United States and other regions, reflecting the increasingly global nature of transport challenges. Transport systems differ significantly between countries, yet many of the underlying issues are remarkably similar. Congestion, safety, sustainability and workforce development are shared concerns across continents.
This made Nanjing an ideal venue for exchanging experiences. Delegates were able to compare approaches, identify common challenges and explore opportunities for future cooperation. Such exchanges are particularly valuable at a time when technological change is occurring at an extraordinary pace. No single country or organisation possesses all the answers, making international collaboration a crucial component of future progress.
The technical visits offered a practical dimension to the discussions. Delegates had the opportunity to observe intelligent transport applications in operation, including cloud control platforms for connected vehicles and advanced traffic management capabilities. These visits reinforced one of the central themes of the symposium, that many concepts which might once have been considered experimental are now functioning within real operational environments.
As the event drew to a close, there was a noticeable sense that the transport sector has entered a new phase in its relationship with artificial intelligence. The conversation is no longer about whether AI will influence transport. That question has already been answered. Attention is shifting towards implementation, governance and scaling successful applications across increasingly complex transport ecosystems.
For PIARC, ISTS 2026 demonstrated the value of its ongoing work in bringing together international expertise to address emerging challenges. For participants, the symposium provided an opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence can be applied in ways that are practical, measurable and beneficial to society. For the wider transport community, Nanjing offered an important reminder that the future of mobility will be shaped not only by technological innovation but also by collaboration, policy and a willingness to think beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.
In many respects, the true significance of ISTS 2026 lay not in any single announcement or technology demonstration. Rather, it was the collective recognition that artificial intelligence is becoming a foundational component of modern transport systems. The task now is ensuring that this transformation delivers safer, more efficient and more sustainable mobility for everyone. Judging by the conversations in Nanjing, the sector is increasingly focused on making that ambition a reality.
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