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We are excited to announce our 39th Annual Conference of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) www.iatr.global is coming to Las Vegas, Nevada, from September 14th through September 17th, 2026. The theme of our 2026 conference is “AV City: Autonomous Mobility,” reflecting the rapid evolution of automated, connected, and electrified transportation systems and the critical role regulators play in shaping their future.
Las Vegas has always been a city built on bold vision and transformative infrastructure. What began as a desert rail stop evolved into a global tourism and convention capital supported by sophisticated airport operations, intelligent traffic systems, and large-scale event management logistics. Today, Las Vegas stands at the forefront of autonomous mobility. Nevada was the first state in the nation to authorize autonomous vehicle testing, and the region has become a national hub for robotaxi deployment, advanced driver assistance systems, and smart transportation investments.
Like the city itself, mobility in Las Vegas is fast-moving, innovative, and ambitious. However, innovation without governance is incomplete. As shared connected automated electric vehicles scale from pilot programs to broader deployment, regulators face complex and urgent questions involving safety oversight, insurance frameworks, accessibility mandates, workforce transition, fare affordability, sustainability goals, and public trust. These are not theoretical discussions. They are unfolding in real time across jurisdictions around the world.
We are excited to convene the global IATR community in Las Vegas, not only for the energy and vibrancy of the city, but to experience firsthand how autonomous mobility is moving from concept to operational reality. Public and private sector collaboration will be on full display throughout the program. Like a high-stakes performance on the Las Vegas stage, the success of autonomous mobility requires coordination, precision, and accountability. Ensuring that regulatory frameworks evolve in step with technological innovation is essential to protecting the riding public while fostering responsible growth.
Many thanks go out to our host jurisdiction, the State of Nevada, the Nevada Transportation Authority, the Nevada Taxicab Authority, and local leaders who are helping shape one of the most forward-looking mobility environments in the United States. Our conference planning team has secured the Vdara Hotel in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip as our host venue, providing a modern and sophisticated setting for policy dialogue, networking, and collaboration. Early bird registration and sponsorship will open on March 1, 2026. Visit our website at www.iatr.global to learn more.
9th Annual Regulatory Bootcamp: Autonomous Mobility Primer
Our 9th annual bootcamp will focus on the evolving regulatory landscape for automated vehicles. This intensive session will explore global regulatory frameworks governing autonomous mobility, including insurance requirements, emergency response protocols, safety standards, data reporting, and the respective roles of federal, state, provincial, and local governments in both testing and full deployment.
Bootcamp attendees will examine the regulatory challenges and socio-economic implications of autonomous mobility, including Vision Zero initiatives, sustainability and electrification goals, labor displacement, fare affordability, accessibility compliance, and public acceptance. Transit agency and airport deployments will be reviewed, along with emerging business models including robotaxis, autonomous shuttles, freight delivery, and peer-to-peer platforms.
The Taxi, For-Hire & Bus Insurance Crisis – Progress Report
The insurance crisis affecting taxi, for-hire, and bus operators continues to impact jurisdictions across the United States and beyond. Insurance and legal experts will join regulators to discuss tort reform efforts, fraud reduction strategies, underwriting challenges related to ADAS and autonomous vehicles, and the evolving allocation of liability in automated crashes.
Panelists will examine both short-term and long-term reforms designed to promote affordability, ensure adequate financial responsibility, protect crash victims, and maintain market stability. As automated vehicles become more prevalent, regulators must evaluate how technology and data can help reduce risk while supporting a viable and sustainable insurance marketplace.
Automated Vehicle Partnerships & Business Developments
This session will explore the latest developments in the autonomous vehicle ecosystem. Discussions will focus on partnerships among OEMs, fleets, ride-hail companies, taxi operators, airports, transit agencies, and software platforms. The role of Artificial Intelligence in both vehicle operations and regulatory compliance will also be examined, along with the integration of robotaxi services into multimodal transportation systems.
Public Transit Partnerships with Taxis, FHVs and TNCs:
The Status of the FTA Taxicab Exception Debate
This workshop will provide updates on first- and last-mile partnerships, paratransit integration, and the ongoing debate surrounding the Federal Transit Administration’s taxicab exception. Regulators will review pilot programs funded through the Mobility on Demand Sandbox initiative, assess stakeholder feedback on rulemaking efforts, and work toward finalizing IATR’s draft report addressing this important issue.
Is the Sustainable Transportation Movement Dead or Alive?
With political shifts occurring at the federal and international levels, this session will evaluate the current state of sustainability and congestion mitigation efforts. Case studies will demonstrate how states and localities are advancing shared mobility, electrification, and emissions reduction goals, and how IATR’s Congestion Mitigation Principles are being implemented in practice.
Regulatory Preparedness for Big Events – Lessons Learned from FIFA, the Super Bowl, and Beyond
Las Vegas recently hosted the Super Bowl and continues to manage record-setting conventions and major global events. This panel will examine the role of regulators in managing passenger ground transportation during high-demand events. Topics will include curb management, temporary licensing, reciprocity to increase vehicle supply, inter-agency coordination, and the use of technology to ensure safe and efficient operations.
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