CARNATIONS Days 2026 will bring together researchers, students, industry partners, transportation leaders, and UCR personnel for project updates, technical discussions, networking, and collaboration focused on assured and resilient navigation in advanced transportation systems. Main workshop sessions will take place at the California Air Resources Board in Riverside. A hosted networking reception and dinner will take place at CE-CERT on Wednesday, July 15.
Event Details
Workshop Dates
Wednesday, July 15 – Thursday, July 16, 2026
Workshop Location
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
4001 Iowa Ave.
Riverside, CA 92507
Hosted Networking Reception
Wednesday, July 15
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Center for Environmental Research & Technology (CE-CERT)
1084 Columbia Ave.
Riverside, CA 92507
Optional CARB Tour
Thursday, July 16
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. during the lunch period
Advance registration is required. Space is limited to 50 participants.
Day 2 Keynote Speaker
Prakash Sah, P.E.
Chief, Division of Research, Innovation and System Information (DRISI)
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Prakash Sah, P.E., is the Division Chief of the Division of Research, Innovation and System Information (DRISI) at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). A licensed Professional Engineer based in Sacramento, he provides executive leadership for Caltrans’ statewide transportation research, innovation, enterprise data, and system information programs.
Mr. Sah oversees Caltrans’ research portfolio, managing investments funded through federal transportation research programs and the State Highway Account. Under his leadership, DRISI advances innovative solutions that improve transportation safety, mobility, sustainability, infrastructure resilience, and operational performance through research, technology transfer, and data-driven decision-making.
He also oversees enterprise programs in geospatial information, data governance, highway system information, and innovation that support Caltrans and its transportation partners across California.
Throughout his career, Mr. Sah has championed the implementation of emerging technologies and practical research, including sustainable infrastructure materials, energy-efficient transportation technologies, and analytical tools that enhance transportation planning and system performance. He is committed to fostering collaboration among government, academia, and industry to accelerate innovation and deliver transportation solutions that benefit California and serve as models for the nation.
Keynote Topics
Digital infrastructure, innovative mobility, the I-80 Coalition Initiative, and AI.
Parking, Arrival, and Check-In
- Please allow extra time for parking and arrival at CARB. The CARB Riverside Staff Lot is no longer available for visitor or event parking.
- Recommended Option: Rideshare - Rideshare is strongly recommended when possible due to limited parking availability.
- CARB Visitor Lot: A small CARB Visitor Lot is located directly in front of the facility and offers approximately 30 parking spaces, including EV charging stations. Parking in this lot is free, but spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may be limited if other events are taking place at CARB.
- UCR Parking Lots 50 and 51: May also be used for CARB-hosted events. Please note that these lots are not free, and permits may be required. For guidance and permit information, contact UCR Transportation and Parking Services at parking@ucr.edu or (951) 827-1295.
Travel and Hotels
Closest Airport
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the closest major commercial airport to Riverside. Travel time will vary depending on traffic.
Recommended Hotels
Closest to CARB and CE-CERT:
- Courtyard by Marriott Riverside UCR/Moreno Valley Area, 1510 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507
Downtown Riverside Hotel Options:
- The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501
- Riverside Marriott at the Convention Center, 3400 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501
- Hyatt Place Riverside Downtown, 3500 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501
- Hampton Inn Riverside Downtown, 3500 Market Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Detailed Agenda
Main workshop sessions take place at CARB unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
| Time | Activity | Details | Speaker(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Optional Informal Meet-Up | Travel day; self-organized evening gathering for attendees arriving early | TBD |
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
| Time | Activity | Details | Speaker(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Check-In and Breakfast | Continental Breakfast | CARB, 4001 Iowa Ave., Riverside, CA 92507 | |
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Conference introduction | Boris Pervan, Matthew Barth | CARB, Auditorium |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Project 1: Antenna Technology | 9:00–9:30 Outcomes & Impact 9:30–9:50 FY27 Proposal 9:50–10:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Sherman Lo, Mark Psiaki | CARB, Auditorium |
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Project 2: Receiver Signal Processing | 10:00–10:30 Outcomes & Impact 10:30–10:50 FY27 Proposal 10:50–11:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Boris Pervan, Samer Khanafseh | CARB, Auditorium |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Project 3: Multi-Sensor Integration | 11:00–11:30 Outcomes & Impact 11:30–11:50 FY27 Proposal 11:50–12:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Boris Pervan, Samer Khanafseh | CARB, Auditorium |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Group Photo | Lunch break and photo session | CARB, River Rooms, Courtyard | |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Project 4: RF Signal Augmentation | 1:00–1:30 Outcomes & Impact 1:30–1:50 FY27 Proposal 1:50–2:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Mathieu Joerger, Mark Psiaki | CARB, Auditorium |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Project 5: Resilient V2X over 5G/6G Networks | 2:00–2:30 Outcomes & Impact 2:30–2:50 FY27 Proposal 2:50–3:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Walid Saad | CARB, Auditorium |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Project 10: R-PNT Using Edge AI Solutions | 3:00–3:30 Outcomes & Impact 3:30–3:50 FY27 Proposal 3:50–4:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Moussa Ayyash | CARB, Auditorium |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Project 7: Threat Models and Use Case | 4:00–4:30 Outcomes & Impact 4:30–4:50 FY27 Proposal 4:50–5:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Todd Walter, Sherman Lo, Sam Pullen | CARB, Auditorium |
| 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Conference Reception & Dinner | Official hosted dinner and networking reception at CE-CERT | UCR, HOST | CE-CERT, 1084 Columbia Ave., Riverside, CA 92507 |
Thursday, July 16, 2026
| Time | Activity | Details | Speaker(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM | Check-In and Breakfast | Hot Breakfast | CARB, Atrium/Cafeteria | |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Project 11: Integrity Monitoring for CAV | 8:00–8:30 Outcomes & Impact 8:30–8:50 FY27 Proposal 8:50–9:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Matthew Barth | CARB, Auditorium |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Project 12: RFI Detection in CAV Using BSM | 9:00–9:30 Outcomes & Impact 9:30–9:50 FY27 Proposal 9:50–10:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Matthew Barth, Hang Qiu | CARB, Auditorium |
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Project 13: Resilient V2X for Cooperative & Remote Driving | 10:00–10:30 Outcomes & Impact 10:30–10:50 FY27 Proposal 10:50–11:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Hang Qiu | CARB, Auditorium |
| 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Keynote Address | 45-minute keynote presentation followed by 15-minute Q&A | Prakash Sah, Division Chief, Division of Research, Innovation and System Information, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) | CARB, Auditorium |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch | Lunch break | CARB, River Rooms, Courtyard | |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | CARB Tour | Optional CARB tour; advance registration required, and space is limited to 50 participants | CARB; Lobby | |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Project 8: Virtual Conflict Simulation | 2:00–2:30 Outcomes & Impact 2:30–2:50 FY27 Proposal 2:50–3:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Hesham Rakha, Mark Psiaki | CARB, Auditorium |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Project 9: Testing and Evaluation | 3:00–3:30 Outcomes & Impact 3:30–3:50 FY27 Proposal 3:50–4:00 Feedback via Google Form |
Mathieu Joerger, Matthew Spenko | CARB, Auditorium |
| 4:00 PM – 4:15 PM | Technology Transfer Subcommittee | 15-minute meeting | Samer Khanafseh, Aashish Narang | CARB, Auditorium |
| 4:15 PM – 4:30 PM | Education & Workforce Development Subcommittee | 15-minute meeting | Matthew Spenko | CARB, Auditorium |
| 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Closing Remarks | General feedback from CAB, students, and PIs | Aashish Narang, Boris Pervan | CARB, Auditorium |
| 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Informal Dinner | Group reservation held at Hangar 24; dinner and drinks are self-pay | Hangar 24, 5225 Canyon Crest Dr Unit 58, Riverside, CA 92507 |
Friday, July 17, 2026
| Time | Activity | Details | Speaker(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Optional Hike | Tentative | UCR, HOST | TBD |
| 2:00 PM onward | Departure & Check-Out | End of CARNATIONS DAYS |
Questions
Event logistics, travel, parking, and on-site coordination:
Sara Salsgiver, ssalsgiv@ucr.edu
CARNATIONS program, agenda content, or project sessions:
Aashish Narang, anarang2@illinoistech.edu