What I Learned During TRB 2026, And The State of The Capital Today

The session.

By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)

Yes, it’s January.  And, yes it’s cold here in Chicago.  And, yes I’m going to continue my decade-plus-long tradition of crating a post that is centered on my recent visit to Washington, DC to attend the Transportation Research Board 2026 Annual Meeting.

But, a modest change of focus.  Over the past decade-plus, my “TRB/DC visit” post would be concentrated primarily on perceptions and observations made during my three-or-so days in the nation’s capital.  Yes, I will share some thoughts and images of Washington collected while there during the first month of 2026, but first I will offer some insight gained while attending TRB  meetings, lectern sessions, and panel discussions. 

The State of Transportation in 2026

To put in in perspective, TRB 2026 ran from January 11 through 15. During that time, an attendee had to select from literally hundreds of events, from those that are highly technical to those that are more broadly focused.  I opted for the latter.  Here’s a summary of what resounded with me.

• As a member of the Communications and Public Involvement Committee, I attended a discussion, “The Public Involvement Imperative: Why it is Crucial for Building Public Trust in Transportation.”  The focus of the talk centered on the “Five I’s” of public communication and involvement; 1) Identify, 2) Invite, 3) Inform, 4) Involve, 5) Improve.  My key takeaway from the presentation and subsequent comments centered on what constitutes modern strategic public relations: Define the stakeholders, communicate strategically, and make revisions when needed.
• At a panel presentation titled “Unleashing The Golden Age of Transportation,” leaders from the US Department of Transportation and state DOTs noted that the technology tools to elevate the nation’s transportation system are in place; what’s need is for the public and private sectors to collectively get involved. Regional technology clusters need to be established to enhance project development, maintenance, and safety across surface transportation modes: Highway, rail, and maritime. 
• Individual panelists at presentations delivered memorable thoughts.  Here are a few that resounded with me. a) Expect both disruption and advancement in transportation over the next five years. b) The next generation of transportation scientists will be nurtured through research consortia managed by universities. c) During an emergency, more scrutiny is given to the public sector versus the private sector. d) The widely recognized phrase, “You Don’t Mess with Texas,” was initiated by the Texas Department of Transportation as an anti-litter campaign!

The Nation’s Capital Through Images and Captions

Now, as promised, images and thoughts from my time at TRB and walking the streets of Washington. 

Take note: Thoughts on The Golden Age of Transportation were “unleashed!” A near SRO crowd attended this panel discussion.

The Trade Show held during the TRB conference provided transportation professionals and scholars with an opportunity to gain insight into a wide range of products and services. And, if you knew where to look, complimentary coffee, chocolates, and more.

Opened in 1903 as the Carnegie Library, this magnificent structure across from the Washington Convention Center now houses a retail business. I trust you are familiar with the logo emblazoned on either side of the entrance? Carved into the granite wall before the entrance is the wording: A University for All People.

A modest crowd of students and other visitors gathered in LaFayette Square across from the White House. Two notable differences from visits in previous years: The construction cranes shown at left and much more fencing along Pennsylvania Avenue.

Take this quote to heart. I was not familiar with James Bernard, but his thought here is quite poignant today. This exhibit can be found in the White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. Lots of cool exhibits about the occupants of the White House over the years, along with visitors and guests. Admission is free.

The Visitor Center also offered this informative exhibit on the layout of the White House grounds, which as you know, has a major component “under construction.” Note the blank screen at the far right.

The view from the World War I Memorial provides a somewhat unobstructed view of the construction cranes positioned near the White House. The Memorial features a bronze statue of General John J. Pershing and a moving 58-foot sculpture entitled, “A Soldier’s Journey.”

Before I make my way to the Washington Metro for the short trip to Reagan National Airport, I always take several minutes to look at the Washington Monument. What would he say about the state of the nation today?