Public transportation is an essential element of the urban socio-economic system, which ensures safety and comfort level of people’s life. As part of the national and federal projects’ realization, special attention is paid to improving accessibility and comfort of public transportation, as well as accelerating the pace of public transport fleet renewal in Russia's regions. Modernization of public transportation requires radical digital transformation, use of artificial intelligence and neural networks, and associated conceptual improvement of the regulatory framework for implementing these objectives.

Public transport fleet
Topics for discussion:

• Autonomous vehicles
• Eco-friendliness of vehicles
• Vehicle financing and acquisition schemes

Digital transformation and the use of AI in public transport
Topics for discussion:

• Electronic document management
• Payment systems. Biometrics
• Multimodality and seamlessness
• Transportation services

In the context of a staff shortage in the transport industry, integrating people with disabilities in production processes (dispatching, IT support, analytics, administrative work) is more than social mission, it’s a strategic resource for enterprises. Making transport accessible is nonsensical if a person with a disability has no destination to travel to. Employment is the ultimate goal of mobility. Transport companies should therefore act not only as operators but also as forward-thinking employers, who create equal opportunities. At the current stage of the industry, there is an urgent need to exchange best practices on how to adapt workplaces, overcome psychological barriers within teams, and effectively integrate quota-based positions into high-tech transportation environments. By shifting the focus from passengers to employees, this session can serve as a platform for exploring innovative human resources strategies that correspond to the pressing economic challenges facing St. Petersburg today.

Digitalization of the transport industry today encompasses the implementation of smart traffic management systems, telematics, electronic document management, and mobility services (MaaS), which is already improving the safety and efficiency of transportation. In the long term, key areas will include development of autonomous transport, integration of AI for predictive analytics, creation of infrastructure "digital twins", and transition to carbon-neutral logistics through end-to-end digitalization of supply chains. This will not only reduce expenses and emissions, but also create a sustainable multimodal transport system adapted to growing urban agglomerations.

Discussion topics:

• Digital passenger services: Biometric identification (facial recognition in the metro); new payment methods (geolocation, virtual tickets); integration of services into a unified ecosystem (MaaS — Mobility as a Service).
• Social and economic effect of advanced technologies implementation in transport.
• Existing trends in digitalization of transport complex management in the regions, challenges and opportunities.
• Issues of regulatory framework for digitalization.
• Ensuring security at critical information infrastructure facilities.
• Improving road safety: the role of intelligent driver assistance systems in preventing road accidents.
• Infrastructure digitalization: intelligent transport systems (ITS) in urban agglomerations and other solutions.

Modern technologies in manufacturing and maintenance of public transport fleet allow simultaneous reduction of operating costs, decrease in environmental impact and enhancement of transport reliability. Implementation of energy-efficient powertrains, including ones powered by alternative energy sources, digital monitoring systems and lightweight materials provide optimal balance between economic efficiency, environmental security, and service quality. Automation of processes and usage of ‘smart’ control systems increase vehicles’ service life and reduce the impact of human factors.

Discussion topics:

• Megalopolises’ experience in expanding the use of high environmental class vehicles.
• Infrastructure development for public transport running on gas engine fuel.
• Development prospects: hydrogen transport, solar-powered cars, etc.
• Electrification and hydrogen technologies: a comparative assessment of economic efficiency and environmental impact of urban and trunk road transport.
• Lightweight composite materials in public transport fleet construction – balance between weight reduction, production costs and safety requirements.
• Additive technologies in spare parts production: the impact of 3D printing on repair time and warehouse logistics.

09.30 am – 10.00 am
The opening of the 5th International Children's Automobile Forum (CAF-2026)

Session:
Scientific and educational session with the participation of teams and student design offices of leading educational establishments in St. Petersburg

10.00 am – 11.30 am
The final stage of scientific and educational project of career guidance “Fortuna” on development and production of autonomous vehicles and special machines pilot samples.

11.30 am - 12.30 pm
The Final of the "RoboLab: Transport Robotics Projects" Contest (St Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – SPb SUE Passazhiravtotrans)

12.30 pm - 01.30 pm
Open Competition of scientific, technical and research projects “Autoevolution”

01.30 pm - 02.00 pm
Official awards ceremony for the participants and finalists of the scientific and educational project of career guidance “Fortuna” on the main stage of the International Transport Festival "TransportFest"

02.30 pm - 05.00 pm
Scientific and practical session on the development and creation of vehicles / special machines with the participation of teams and student design offices of leading educational establishments in St. Petersburg