The Global Transportation Professional Networking Group in collaboration with the Tanzania Roads Association (TARA) which is also a National Committee of the World Road Association (PIARC) for Tanzania under the Ministry of Works in Tanzania, the Tanzania Transportation Technology Transfer (TanT2 Centre), Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS), Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA), the International Road Federation (IRF) Geneva, Institute for Urban Research, Morgan State University (MSU), USA; the African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA), the Association of Southern Africa National Roads Agencies (ASANRA), and other local and international institutions, is organizing the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Transportation & Smart Innovations (ICTA

2024) to be held from 29th – 31st July 2024 at Gran Melia Hotels & Resorts, Arusha, Tanzania under the Theme "Safe,

Smart and Sustainable Transport Systems for Global Economic Growth"
The objective of the 9th International Conference on Sustainable Transportation & Smart Innovations is to build capacity to transport sector stakeholders on Safe, Smart and Sustainable Transport Systemsfor Global Economic Growth through sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices.

Globalization and rapidly evolving technologies are driving profound changes in the role of transportation in our society.
Through research studies and publications on various disciplines, we continue to provide authoritative and non-partisan policy advice to decision makers in government, academia, and the private sector. Although transportation research is integral to our societies, there are persistent challenges to the vitality of this sector. Funding for scientific research is increasingly uncertain and this calls for trans-disciplinary and trans-sector research collaboration to ensure that fundamental advances are made in the areas of focus for continuity and sustainability of transportation.

Despite the challenges facing the transport sector, there are many promising avenues to strengthen this sector. New models of cooperation among academia, industry and government can better enable transport experts to meet the formidable challenges ahead. The world is increasingly faced with complex problems that require the adoption of innovative research and approaches that will bring about lasting and sustainable solutions. For instance, the challenges facing communities from climate change, to providing adequate transport for the world’s growing population are immense, urgent, and intimately connected. With proper coordination, transport experts are poised to help solve problems at this level of complexity and importance.

Redesigning dated organizational structures and cultural attitudes within and across the sectors could dramatically accelerate the development of new approaches. We now have critical mass in academia, government, and the private sector to achieve this. To attain global stature and tackle critical societal challenges in the transport sector will depend on how we nurture the research and publication ecosystem.

The 9th International Conference on Sustainable Transportation & Smart Innovations which is expected to be attended by about 300 participants is targeted at Senior Officials and Chief Executive Officers of Road Agencies/Departments and Other Transport Sector Agencies, Road Funds, Funding Agencies, University Vice Chancellors and other Academics, Researchers, Road Transport Design Consultants and Contractors, development partners and everyone in any way connected with transportation including other national government authorities, parastatals, policy and decision-makers, students, and professionals active in the planning, construction, maintenance, logistics, operation and safety of passenger and freight transport, road traffic, rail, maritime and aviation.