A global forum, two
decades in motion.
The International Symposium on Freeway and Tollway Operations brings the world's freeway and tollway community together to share how they manage traffic on our most critical road networks.
The purpose
Where freeway operations meet.
ISFO exists to provide a platform for managers, traffic engineers, practitioners and researchers to discuss and share their experiences managing traffic on freeways and tollways.
The ISFO was established by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (US). It was first held in 2006 in Athens, Greece, spearheaded by Bill Halkias, then CEO of Attica Tollway - born from a desire to foster collaboration between European and U.S. institutions. It moves between host cities around the world, building an international community of practice.
That first meeting laid the groundwork for lasting international cooperation and inspired the creation of a joint subcommittee on Active Traffic Management (ATM) under TRB in 2009, fostering advancements in strategies like dynamic shoulder use and real-time traffic optimisation.
Following Athens, ISFO evolved into a global event, with successful editions in Honolulu (2009) and Berlin (2016). The most recent chapter, ISFO 2023, was held in Vienna, Austria, marking a new high point for the symposium. You can watch a wrap up reel from the Vienna event here.
The SERIES
Five editions, four continents.
From its first gathering in Athens to its arrival in Melbourne, ISFO has followed the evolution of
traffic management around the world.
Athens
Greece
Honolulu
United States
Berlin
Germany
Vienna
Austria
Melbourne
Australia
Building on Vienna
The 4th ISFO set the standard.
ISFO 2023 in Vienna was a dynamic convergence of global transportation minds, drawing 320 participants from 36 countries. Across 43 unique sessions, attendees explored six key themes shaping the future of mobility: Climate Impact and Severe Weather Management, Urban and Multimodal Traffic Coordination, Collaboration and Data Sharing, Integrated Transportation Systems, Data Challenges, and AI in Transportation.
Thanks to the dedication of ASFINAG and AustriaTech, who took on hosting duties after a conversation sparked at the 2018 IBTTA Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Vienna delivered a forward-looking agenda that also expanded into new territory-including Governance and Organisational Challenges, Managing and Analysing Operational Strategies and Performance, Next-Generation Traffic Management Systems and Services, and Innovative Financing Models for Infrastructure.
And now, the road ahead leads to Melbourne, Australia. Set to host the next ISFO Summit in 2027 and with the momentum from Vienna still resonating, the global transportation community can anticipate another milestone event that will continue to push the boundaries of freeway and tollway operations worldwide.
Co-hosted in Melbourne
Recognising Victoria's advanced
operations.
For many years the TRB Freeway Operations Committee has recognised the advanced approaches and practices used in Victoria. ISFO 2027 is cohosted by ITS Australia and the Transportation Research Board, supported by TRB's committee on Limited Access Roadway Operations and the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning. In 2027 the symposium will also incorporate the annual ITS Australia Roads, Tolling & Tech conference to further enhance attendee value.
ITS Australia
Cohost and convenor, connecting Australia's intelligent transport sector to the world.
TRB · ACP20
The Standing Committee on Limited Access Roadway Operations - the lead technical committee behind ISFO.
DTP Victoria
The Department of Transport and Planning, supporting the symposium's arrival in Melbourne.
Be part of ISFO 2027
Join the world's freeway and
tollway community in Melbourne.
25–28 May 2027 · Melbourne Convention &
Exhibition Centre.
Interested learning more about the 5th ISFO? Complete this form
© 2026 ITS Australia · International Symposium for Freeway & Tollway Operations
Convened under TRB ACP20 — Freeway Operations