We are in the midst of a transportation revolution, driven by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. From autonomous vehicles to intelligent traffic management systems, UMTRI is leading in the evolution of how people and goods move safely and efficiently around the world.
Against a backdrop of two important U-M milestones: the 60th anniversary of the founding of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), and the 10th anniversary of the Mcity Test Facility, UMTRI will host a symposium that will bring together experts from industry, academia and government to explore the impact of research advances and new technologies on transportation and look ahead to where research may lead us next.
The symposium on October 2, 2025, will open with welcoming remarks from Karen Thole, U-M Dean of Engineering, and Domenico Grasso, President of the University of Michigan. This will be followed by a special Founders Fireside Chat, featuring representatives from Ford, General Motors, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation—the organizations that established UMTRI 60 years ago.
Throughout the day, a series of panels will explore key topics such as safety, artificial intelligence in transportation, and the evolution of transportation research, with a particular emphasis on the future.
Then, on October 3, 2025, UMTRI and Mcity will present a dedicated day of demonstrations. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the newest technologies and groundbreaking research that are shaping the movement of people and goods around the world.