MOBILITY SUMMIT

The 82 Alliance, in partnership with PennDOT, recently held its inaugural Mobility Summit in Harrisburg, PA. Attendees heard industry leaders speaking on federal funding, current mobility trends, and what they think future trends will look like for transportation and TDM.

As we emerge from this pandemic, Pennsylvania must focus on how it is planning for its future as it relates to providing safe, reliable, equitable mobility options. The 82 Alliance is a not-for-profit mobility think tank that focuses on reimagining how people move throughout our towns and cities. As our world evolves, we should be planning for a better tomorrow.

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Mobility Summit speakers included:

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Keynote Speakers:

• Alicia Nolan, Division Administrator, Federal Highway Administration

 

Alicia gave an overview of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), focusing on highway provisions in the BIL and significant programs and conditions in the BIL.

 

• Matt Caywood, CEO & Co-Founder, Actionfigure

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Matt shared the importance of transportation data and touched on current mobility trends.

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"The biggest emissions source of an urban office building is the travel to and from that building," Matt Caywood, Actionfigure.

 

Matt stated that without understanding and predicting how people get to and from buildings:

• Employers face turnover costs of $100,000s per employee as they quit because of commuting, the #1 reason employees resign.

• Real estate owners risk $1.1 trillion in current asset value because they cannot retain and attract tenants with new work schedules and changing uses of space.

• Neither can measure or reduce transportation CO2 emissions –a building's single largest emissions source –which will be mandatory reporting starting next year (2023) in the EU.

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Transit, Shuttles & Vanpools Panel:

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• Jody Holton, Assistant General Manager, Planning & Strategic Initiatives, SEPTA

• Mike Moriarty, Business Development Manager, WeDriveU

• Kevin Chau, Sales Director, Commute with Enterprise

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Jody shared an overview of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) initiatives. Projects covered included: SEPTA Forward: Project Metro, Reimagining Regional Rail, Bus Revolution, Trolley Modernization, and King of Prussia Rail Project.

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Mike shared five mobility trends that improve access to jobs, education, services, and each other. Trends included: workplace experience extends to the commute, on-demand transportation for dynamic journeys, bringing businesses together with shared shuttles, shifting from cars to more sustainable options, and leading the way to a net zero commute.

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Kevin discussed how vanpools are evolving for the future through a new flexible model to meet modern-day expectations, simplify vanpooling, grow vanpool ridership, and enhance alignment with other public mobility modes and efficiency goals.

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Mobility Research Panel:

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• Stan Caldwell, Executive Director, Traffic 21 Institute at Carnegie Mellon University

• Eric O'Donnell, Director Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Penn State University

• Ethan Connor-Ross, Senior Vice President and Principal, Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI)

 

The mobility research panel presented programs and initiatives such as autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and mobility as a service and reviewed future trends in transportation.

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A study underway by Traffic 21 Institute at Carnegie Mellon University is examining how COVID-19 is affecting transportation trends and shaping the future of mobility. Stan shared potential post-pandemic lasting trends, including:

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• Altered Demand for Public Transit,

• Increased Bicycle and Pedestrian Activity

• Increased Micro Mobility

• Altered Urban/Suburban Land Use Patterns and Real Estate Demand

• Growing Telework

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Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Penn State University is utilizing connected vehicle technology to improve signal operations and developing a dynamic simulation tool for better managing the curb.

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Ethan, from ESI, gave an overview of the new ESI Center for the Future of Cities, which, through research and analysis, will yield innovative new tools and resources that will help cities and urban leaders navigate contemporary challenges.

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Planning Ahead Planning:

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• Brian Hare, Director Department of Transportation Center for Program Development, PennDOT

• Andy Waple, Deputy Executive Director, Programs Division, Southwestern Pennsylvania

• Commission (SPC)

• Chris Leswing, Director of Building and Planning, Lower Merion Township

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Brian discussed PennDOT's statewide planning initiatives and provided an overview of the Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), including new program areas: the Carbon Reduction Program and Protect Formula Program.

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Andy Waple shared the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's Long-Range Transportation Plan and what SPC is working on to improve transportation for its region.

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Chris Leswing gave an overview of the first-ever TDM Ordinance adopted in the Greater Philadelphia Region. Lower Merion Township is leading the way in incorporating TDM within its municipality.

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Transportation Demand Management (TDM) refers to strategies, programs, or policies designed to reduce drive-alone trips and enable the transportation system to function more effectively and efficiently through alternative transportation options. By implementing TDM strategies and reducing drive-alone trips, we can improve our climate and increase the efficiency of our regional roadways.

 

"Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for joining us for our first Mobility Summit. Thank you to PennDOT for partnering and helping to bring new and exciting ideas to Pennsylvania. As we continue to move forward past this pandemic, we have an opportunity to reimagine our communities of the future. As our world is changing, we can and should be planning for a better tomorrow,  Rob Henry, president of The 82 Alliance.

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