Join Us at Our 38th Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee (September 26-30, 2025)
We are excited to announce our 38th annual conference of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) is coming to Nashville, Tenn. from September 26th through September 30th, 2025. The theme of our 2025 conference is “Regulatory Movement: A Mobility Symphony,” to celebrate and combine the regulatory trends of the moment with our phenomenal host jurisdiction, known as “Music City.”
The history of Nashville’s mobility started with river routes and footpaths and evolved over time to a car-dependent city with many public transit options. In the last decade or so Nashville has experienced significant population growth and increased tourism, creating traffic congestion, nightlife transportation, and other mobility challenges. However, plans and policies are in place and being developed, including the “Choose How You Move” transportation improvement plan which showcases a true commitment to multi-modality – consistent with the IATR’s mission of “Multi-Modal Mobility Innovation for All!”
We are excited to go to Music City, not just for the great food and music – and for our “Rocking Regulators,” but also to experience firsthand how Nashville is improving its multi-modal transportation ecosystem. Public-private transport solutions and integration will be on full display as part of the content of our program and will jive with the essence of the city’s music history. Like any great musical composition, there are many instruments (or transport modes) that must harmonize together like a mobility symphony – connecting the regulatory melodies of safety, sustainability, equity, and accessibility with the rhythm of movement. Ensuring that regulations and laws are modernized to allow for Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) across modes is critical to staying in tune with the needs of the riding public. This conference theme and program sync perfectly with this dynamic and evolving city, and we are excited to welcome everyone and have a good time while learning and networking.
Many thanks go out to our host city and agency, the City of Nashville, its Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, and of course, its Transportation Licensing Director Richard Rooker and his staff. Our conference planning team has selected and secured the Graduate by Hilton Nashville and early bird registration and sponsorship is now open. Visit our website at www.iatr.global to learn more.
Enforcement Bootcamp: Trends, Technology, Problems & Solutions
Our 8th annual bootcamp will focus on the basics of traditional field enforcement, in terms of methodology, tactics, undercover or sting operations, and coordination with law enforcement entities. The unique challenge that comes with inspector or officer-driven enforcement activities, and whether such methods are working or not in this modern age of technology and modernization, will be explored and discussed. Conference attendees will hear from regulators responsible for enforcement, directly or indirectly, and will also address the latest issues post-pandemic, including: Vision Zero efforts to reduce traffic violations and fatalities; imposters or fake ride-hail drivers; overcharging; illegal solicitation at airports and mobility hubs; and the impacts of the insurance crisis on increased illegal for-hire activity.
Enforcement issues will be identified, and regulators’ responses will be covered. The regulatory framework will also be reviewed, including the most effective penalties, procedures, and laws to deter and address illegal activity. Finally, the future of enforcement will be extensively covered, including remote or automated enforcement (red light and speed cameras), administrative violations, citizen complaint programs, and how software platforms, cameras, AI, and smartphone app-based technology can aid regulators in addressing and stopping illegal activity.
The Taxi & For-Hire Insurance Crisis – Root Causes, Reforms & Regulatory Action (What Can Mobility Regulators Do to Help the Industry?)
The insolvency of NYC’s largest insurer of taxi and for-hire vehicles, American Transit, upended the entire marketplace and cast a shadow and spotlight well beyond this jurisdiction on the rising costs of insurance that are causing significant problems for the viability of regulated businesses, supply, and demand as well as costs for passengers and drivers. Insurance and legal experts will join regulators to discuss the root causes for not just the NYC crisis, but for the many states around the U.S. and beyond that are experiencing post-pandemic rising premiums, claims, and costs.
Various reports and studies will be shared that discuss short-term measures and long-term tort reforms, and panelists will debate the variety of measures that licensing regulators can undertake in conjunction with insurance regulators to reduce crashes, help promote safety while helping licensees mitigate risk, and to help eradicate insurance fraud and support sound underwriting and regulation in terms of minimum liability limits and no-fault (personal injury protection coverage) and workers’ compensation insurance. These proposed solutions include: supporting and permitting self-insurance and captives; user-based insurance, mandating cameras and telematics; reducing minimum liability and No-Fault limits; investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud; subsidizing premiums and pursuing bailouts; supporting vehicle rental options for drivers to eliminate and reduce insurance costs; implementing workers compensation programs (like the NY Black Car Fund); and incentivizing or establishing safe driving programs.
Modernizing Mobility: The Latest Trends & Partnerships
(Fares, Wages, Data/Technology & Vehicle Caps)
This session will cover the latest trends in technology, policy, and regulation to modernize mobility and include a discussion of data platforms, robotaxis, fare policy, driver wages, and licensing vehicle caps. It will also showcase a new IATR report on vehicle caps and discuss efforts by regulators and the industry to level the regulatory playing field among all ground transportation modes. The session will also discuss multi-modal integration and partnerships in the industry, including not just TNC-taxi partnerships but TNC and robotaxi partnerships.
Public Transit Partnerships with Taxis, FHVs and TNCs:
The Taxicab Exception & Beyond – The Road to MaaS
This workshop will take a deep dive into public transit integration with taxicabs, for-hire vehicles, and transportation network companies (TNCs). The session will focus on the status of first-and-last-mile partnerships with public transit, as well as the utilization of wheelchair-accessible taxicabs and other for-hire ground transportation as part of the public paratransit system.
Best practices, challenges, and policy/legal issues will be covered, especially with respect to the pilot projects funded by the U.S. DOT’s Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA’s) Mobility on Demand Sandbox Program, along with an international comparison of projects abroad. Also, there will be a debate about the FTA’s taxicab exception for drug and alcohol testing and what solutions can be explored to help scale the successful pilot programs and provide permanent funding sources in the future. The IATR will discuss and obtain feedback on a draft report covering this FTA taxi exception issue.
Financing, subsides, costs/benefits, and socio-economic benefits will be discussed and debated with an aim toward plotting a path to Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) – including mobility hubs. This workshop will also highlight lessons learned and relevant feedback from efforts at the 37th annual conference to update the IATR’s model regulations for accessible transportation, and the role of public transit in those changes.
Nightlife Transportation: Mobility Management & Trends
The Responsible Hospitality Institute will return to the IATR to discuss nightlife transportation issues, the role of Nightlife Mayors, and the latest trends in late-night mobility management efforts to get hospitality zone passengers home safely, affordably, and efficiently. The City of Nashville will be a primary focus of discussion, along with other best practices and exemplar cities so that regulators can learn how they can be a part of inter-agency efforts and private partnerships with industry licensees as well as the role of Business Improvement Districts.
It’s All About the Drivers!
This global panel will explore the issues and concerns of for-hire, taxi, and TNC drivers, and will showcase representatives from driver organizations. Topics will include smartphone app-based technology, driver wages, labor models, safety concerns, human trafficking prevention, training, and the future for taxi drivers in an automated vehicle world to come.
Get Ready for Nashville – Early Registration & Sponsorship Open Now!
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s IATR conference will be held at the Graduate Hotel Nashville, a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel that captures the vibrant spirit of Music City. Known for its bold, playful design inspired by country music history, the hotel features Instagram-worthy décor, a rooftop bar with stunning city views, and Dolly Parton-themed aesthetics that celebrate Nashville’s rich musical heritage. It is the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable conference experience! Early registration and sponsorship opportunities are now available on our website at iatr.global. Secure your spot today and get ready to experience innovation, networking, and a taste of Nashville’s legendary hospitality! We also offer customizable sponsorship packages to meet your organization’s specific needs – contact us to explore the best options for your brand. To learn more, please send us an email at info@iatr.global. We look forward to seeing you in Nashville this fall!
