Dear Honorable Members of the EASTS and Participants,

On behalf of the International Scientific Committee for 2019 EASTS Conference, I would like to warmly welcome all of the participants to the 13^th EASTS Conference to be held in Sri Lanka on September 9 to 12. Since the 1^st Conference in Manila in 1995, the conferences of the EASTS have been getting stronger and stronger, as more participants are attending and more papers are presented. The EASTS is now firmly established as the unique academic society of transport research and practice in Asia.

The 13^th EASTS Conference in Sri Lanka is well prepared and to be organized by the devoted efforts of the Sri Lanka Society of Transport & Logistics and believed to be another successful conference in the history of the EASTS. In the Conference, about 454 reviewed and non-reviewed papers are to be presented and EASTS Best Paper Awards will be given to a maximum 10 papers. Papers reviewed, selected and presented in the Conference are to be published in the form of ATS, Journal of EASTS and Selected Proceedings after the Conference. 

I strongly trust that this upcoming conference will provide various ideas and insights for better transport service and development in Asia. I, as the Chairperson of ISC, would like to say that all the sessions programmed in this conference would be very beneficial and useful for your research information and innovative ideas for better transport infrastructure and system. I look forward to seeing all of you soon in Sri Lanka.

It is with great pleasure I welcome all participants, from around 30 countries who will gather for the 13th International Conference of EASTS. The Sri Lanka Society of Transport & Logistics (SLSTL) is honoured to host this important event in the Asian calendar of transport academia and research events. I trust that the efforts of our Conference Committee will bear fruit to ensure a successful conference and a pleasant and memorable time in Sri Lanka, during which we hope you will take time to visit the many places of interest in the country.

Dear Participants,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 13th International Conference of Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies held at Waters Edge in Colombo, Sri Lanka between 9^th and 12^th of September, 2019.  Two years has passed since our last conference in Ho Chi Minh City. Thank you for returning to most valuable and informative opportunities of EASTS.

EASTS was founded in November 1994 with 13 countries/regions (domestic societies) in Eastern Asia. Now, we have 19 domestic societies including SLSTL (the Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics). The primary objective of EASTS is to foster and support excellence in transportation research and practice.

Under the objectives, EASTS is organizing biennial International Conferences. Since the 1st Conference held in Manila, Philippines in 1995, 12 conferences have been held in EASTS area and provided great opportunities to enrich participants' professional knowledge.

Please enjoy a variety of discussions on the future of transport and a memorable pleasant stay with EASTS.

I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest thanks and warmest congratulations to SLSTL for their magnificent efforts to hold our 13^th conference in Colombo this year.