We’ve been taught that unreliability is failure in mobility. Delays, disruptions, missed connections: things to eliminate.

But what if that’s only half the story? What if unreliability is also what makes systems more adaptive, resilient, and human? This workshop brings together perspectives from data science, AI, transport planning, and social science to discuss a simple idea: Are we actually optimizing the right thing?

Jan-Dirk Schmöcker and I are organizing a conference on this topic.
“The Unreliability Paradox: Rethinking Data-Driven Mobility”
Donaueschingen, Germany | December 20–22, 2026

With contributions from Kay Axhausen, Sebastian Prokutta, Christiane Varga, and other leading figures across the sciences, the workshop explores how uncertainty might improve the way we design and experience mobility.

We invite contributions that rethink how we understand reliability, including:
• New ways to measure and model unreliability
• Distinguishing “good” vs “bad” unpredictability
• The hidden value of inconvenience, surprise, and disruption
• How AI and data can support more adaptive and human travel experiences

Submissions are open to all disciplines and career stages.

Deadline: May 30, 2026
Submit via: https://www.rethinkmobility.ai
Acceptance notifications: June 15, 2026

The three best student posters will be awarded during the conference.