TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/21/13 -- The Canadian Transportation Research Forum 48th Annual Conference in Halifax will focus on the role of transportation in North American trade competitiveness. The conference is to be hosted by the Dalhousie University Centre for International Trade and Transportation at The Lord Nelson Hotel in the heart of historic Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, June 10-12, 2013.

CTRF has a reputation for open dialogue, stimulating exchange of ideas, challenging debate and forward-looking consideration of transportation research presented by Canadian and international participants. The target audience for participation includes: academics, governments, transport carriers, shippers, shipper associations, professional service firms, industry analysts, and trade press - all within a lively forum that has become a tradition in Canada.

In addition to papers, plenary and panel sessions, the conference features special luncheon speakers, an Oxford-style debate, networking opportunities, a companions' program, and a lobster dinner onboard the Harbour Queen, a replica of a Mississippi sternwheeler steamboat, which will tour Halifax Harbour.

We invite authors and presenters to submit their work to our 48th annual conference, with a particular focus on North American Competitiveness in Global Trade: The Role of Transportation.

The deadline for abstracts has been extended to January 31, 2013.

For additional information on the conference program, call for papers, and for registration details, please visit the CTRF website: http://www.ctrf.ca.