A Multimodal Tour 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Prior to the start of the APTA Sustainability & Multimodal Planning Workshop, maximize your training and travel dollars by joining us first for a Multimodal Tour in Boston. This tour will be conducted by MBTA staff and will take you across over eight modes - BRT, commuter rail, intercity rail, light rail, heavy rail, bus, trackless trolley, and ferry - in MBTA's system. You must be registered to attend this tour. This tour is at capacity and will no longer being accepting registrants. Hingham Ferry Terminal12:15 - 5:30 p.m.This tour will take participants on a 40-minute trip across Boston Harbor to Hingham, one of the oldest colonized communities in the US with English settlers arriving nearly 400 years ago. Hingham and its neighboring Town of Hull are served by ferry (as well as by commuter rail) to downtown Boston. At the Hingham Terminal, visitors will tour the new Hingham Intermodal Facility, which is the launch point not only for ferries to Boston but also to the Boston Harbor Islands, a 34 island National Park. The Hingham Intermodal Facility is a LEED Silver facility that includes a geothermal heat exchange system as well as a green roof. Participants will then make the 40-minute return trip back to downtown Boston. You must be registered to attend this tour. Pre-registration is now closed for this tour. However, there are still spots available. Please find the MBTA Mobile Tours host stand in the Westin Boston Waterfront Lobby on Sunday, July 28 to sign up onsite for the tour. Space will be limited. If you have any questions, please APTA's Elizabeth Lovinggood at elovinggood@apta.com. Fare Collection Model Lab Tour1 - 4:30 p.m. In 2007, the MBTA launched its Automatic Fare Collection System, a contactless card system (i.e., The Charlie Card) that replaced the token. The MBTA is in the process of moving to a new fare system (so called “AFC 2.0”). This new fare collection system will require passengers to purchase their fare before boarding any vehicle. Passengers will be required to tap their fare media (either an MBTA issued card, contactless credit card, or mobile device) as they board and will be spot checked as part of the proof of payment system. This approach should significantly speed up boarding, and allow for all door boarding. The Model Office is a test lab which contains each device that will be installed as part of the new fare system. The devices are used to test and prove compliance prior to installation. These devices include full function vending machines, transition and new gates, platform and vehicle validators. The tour will include a brief overview of the project and a chance to interact with the equipment. The MBTA will also have staff on hand to discuss how it plans to integrate the new system while the existing system is in place, as well as discuss issues such as implementing a proof of payment system, Title XI ramifications, changes that operators will experience, and a series of other considerations.
You must be registered to attend this tour. Pre-registration is now closed for this tour. However, there are still spots available. Please find the MBTA Mobile Tours host stand in the Westin Boston Waterfront Lobby on Sunday, July 28 to sign up onsite for the tour. Given the size of the Model Office, the tour will be limited to 15 participants. If you have any questions, please APTA's Elizabeth Lovinggood at elovinggood@apta.com.
Sustainability & Transit-Oriented Development Tour1 - 4:30 p.m.This tour will feature the sustainability elements and transit-oriented developments in MBTA's system. You must be registered to attend this event. This tour is at capacity and will no longer be accepting registrants. Registration2 - 5 p.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Lanyards sponsored by GIRO Inc. 
Conference giveaway sponsored by Greystone Management Solutions Tabletop Displays3 - 5 p.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Networking Breakfast7 - 8 a.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Breakfast sponsored by BSC Group, Inc. 
Registration7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTabletop Displays7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontWelcome and Opening Remarks8 - 8:15 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom I-II, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontIntroductory Remarks- Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association, Washington, DC
- Janet R. Gonzalez Tudor, MBA, ENV SP, PROSCI, STP, Director, Transport Advisory Services, HDR, Chicago, IL
- Cyndi Harper, Senior Manager, Route Planning, Service Development, Metro Transit, Minneapolis, MN
MBTA and Partners Host Forum8:15 - 9:15 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom I-II, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontMBTA faces a series of challenges and opportunities as it works to address the 21st century transit needs in an area that hosts the oldest transit system in the Americas. Leadership from the MBTA will be discussing their recent accomplishments as well as plans that are underway that are designed to maximize mobility, improve efficiency, build resiliency and integrate technology and emerging transportation options into its core system At the Workshop, attendees will hear from MBTA and its partners about how it is addressing the ever increasing and changing demands on transit as well as how it is rethinking the network to integrate technology so as to provide a transit network that continues to meet the needs of its customers and the communities it serves. Session sponsored by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Sponsor Recognition- Michael J. Carragher, P.E., President and CEO, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), Watertown, MA
Panelists- Steven Poftak, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston, MA
- Chris Osgood, Chief of the Streets, Transportation, and Sanitation, Office of the Mayor, Boston, MA
- Katherine Fichter, Assistant Secretary for Policy Coordination, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Boston, MA
Connecting to the Grid: What's Ahead for Our Fleets and Infrastructure?9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Lewis, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTransit agencies and regulators are studying the rapidly evolving world of electrification and automation, and what this will mean for fleets and infrastructure. Considering the parking lots and decks, maintenance facilities, and depots that are a part of transit agencies, the infrastructure necessary for electric charging (for both customer and transit vehicles) and the technology for power sharing and distributed generation are among the myriad of considerations that will need to be incorporated into long-term asset management and operations plans. This moderated panel will explore transit electrification and the resulting power demand, demand management and grid integration opportunities. It will examine the role of regulatory agencies, public utility commissions, and the private sector in electrifying the transportation network and how agencies should plan to work with these stakeholders. Grid capacity, costs, parking spot locations, evolving technologies, ride-sharing, commuter and para-transit, and environmental benefits are among the topics that will be covered in this wide-ranging discussion and audience Q&A. Moderator- Steven H. Santoro, Vice President, Director of Rail and Transit, Dewberry, Bloomfield, NJ
Panelists- Adam Zellner, President, Greener By Design; Member, Board of Trustees, New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition (NJCCC), New Brunswick, NJ
- Richard S. Mroz, Esq., Former NJBPU President, Resolute Strategies, Haddonfield, NJ
- Mark Smith, Technology Integration Program Manager, Vehicle Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC
- Philip Jones, President, Phil Jones Consulting; Executive Director, Alliance for Transportation Electrification , Seattle, WA
Equity and Low-Income Fares9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Burroughs, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTransit agencies are transitioning from paper-based to electronic fare systems. This transition presents both opportunities (such as enabling fare capping, facilitating a low-income fare) and concerns (cost and availability of fare cards, unbanked customers) with regard to equity. Hear how three of the leading transit systems analyzed impacts, engaged the public to understand, and addressed equity issues. Discuss how aspects of their approach could be applicable to your system. Moderator - Sally Goodman, AC Transit (Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District), San Diego, CA
Panelists- Diana Hammons, Senior Manager, Revenue Collection & Sales, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco, CA
- Chris Arkills, Government Relations Officer, King County Metro , Seattle, WA
- Mary B Capistrant, Metro Transit, Minneapolis, MN
Making the Most of a Moment9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontSometimes an unplanned event allows us to try out new ideas and think “outside the box.” Situations such as losing a main highway or arterial into downtown, special events and the unexpected closure of a key facility or part of infrastructure can be an opportunity to be creative and take a chance. Sometimes projects that we dread the most can result in new opportunities and ways of doing business. Hear how your peers have planned effectively, coordinated with others under extenuating circumstances and have been flexible to weather the disruption and come out stronger in the end. Moderator- Peter G. Cafiero, Managing Director, Inter-Modal Planning, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC
Leveraging Interagency Cooperation to Reduce Transit Impacts during Special Events, Filming and Cons- Jonathan Kibrick, Transportation Planner and Film Coordinator, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni), San Francisco, CA
Lessons Learned with the Opening (and Abrupt Closure) of a Multi-Agency Transit Hub- Linda Morris, Chief of Service Planning and Scheduling, Miami-Dade Transit, Miami, FL
Juicing the ‘Seattle Squeeze’: Lessons Learned from Seattle’s SR-99 Closure- Benjamin A. Smith, Senior Transportation Planner, City of Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle, WA
Disrupting Delays: How to Survive and Thrive in Major Freeway Construction Using Transit- Benjamin Surma, Service Analyst, Metro Transit, Minneapolis, MN
Speaker Luncheon11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Marina Ballroom I-III, Lobby Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Lunch sponsored by HNTB Corporation 
Guest Speaker: Service Planning, Sustainability, and Engagement: Using Data to Pull Back the Curtain- Kevin B. Quinn, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink), New Westminster, BC
Bus Rapid Transit1:30 - 3 p.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontNow that BRT is a well-established mode in North America, how has it changed the transit landscape in our cities? Join this session to hear best practices and lessons learned from BRT projects and services across the county. Specifically, this session will focus on issues related to scheduling and operations that are critical to consider when planning for a new BRT line. This will include the interaction of BRT service with local and other services operating along shared corridors. Successful strategies that result in increased ridership will be addressed as well as examples of how transit priority measures have best been used to ensure the speed and reliability required for BRT. Moderator - Lacy Bell, Principal - Seattle Office Lead, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc., Seattle, WA
Finding the Right Mix: Evolving Approaches to Balancing BRT and Local Underlay Bus Service- Adam N Smith, Senior Planner, Metro Transit, Minneapolis, MN
Is this Real BRT? Is this Just Fantasy?- William Chow, Service Planner, Sound Transit, Seattle, WA
Piloting Bus Rapid Transit Elements on Massachusetts Avenue- Matthew Duranleau, Transportation Consultant, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB), Watertown, MA
- Jenny Raitt, Director, Planning and Community Development, Town of Arlington, Arlington, MA
Environmental Management Systems1:30 - 3 p.m.
Burroughs, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe transit industry has widely implemented Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) based upon the ISO 14001 Standard. FTA has been instrumental in this adoption, through its EMS Training and Assistance Program. With over a decade of experience with 43 agencies (including 14 that have achieved ISO 14001 certification) this program has a wealth of experience in the implementation of EMS at transit agencies. While the success of EMS depends on how the agency capitalizes on the use of the program to suit their agency profile, there are underlying challenges and corresponding solutions unique to each agency’s EMS goals. This panel session will provide an opportunity to discuss these challenges, best practices and lesson learned with EMS transit practitioners from the two largest transit agencies in the United States. Moderator- Steven Eget, WSP USA, New York, NY
Panelists- Antoinette Quagliata, ENV SP, LEED AP, Sustainability Consulting Lead, Dewberry, Parsippany, NJ
- Thomas Abdallah, PE, LEED AP, ENV SP, Chief Engineer, Capital Program Management, MTA New York City Transit, New York, NY
- Dr. Emmanuel "Cris" Battad Liban, PE. ENV SP, Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles, CA
The Future of Sustainable Transit Oriented Development1:30 - 3 p.m.
Lewis, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontIn a time when cities are committing to lead the fight against climate change, transit oriented development can be a powerful tool for positive impact. TODs have high potential to bring more density to a community, to mitigate a city’s environmental footprint, to decrease private car use, and to boost transit ridership. As the backbone of TOD, public transportation is a critical component of TOD and land use planning. Planning for TOD can yield countless benefits for public transportation, sustainable communities, and efficient land use. New trends in mobility, such as autonomous and connected vehicles and micro mobility, will impact parking policies and equity concerns. Join this session to hear from experts in the field that are making great strides in advancing sustainable TOD. Session sponsored by Greystone Management Solutions Moderator- John J. Loughran, AIA, AICP, PP, LEED, Senior Urban Strategist, WSP USA, New York, NY
May You Live in Interesting Times- David D. Dixon, FAIA, Vice President, Planning and Urban Design Leader, Urban Places, Stantec, Boston, MA
Closing the Sustainability Loop with Equitable Transit-Oriented Development- John Hersey, Senior Associate for Transit-Oriented Development, Regional Transportation District, Denver, CO
Case Study: Incorporating a Battery Bus Maintenance Facility into a Mixed Use Development- Marc DeSchamp, Project Manager - Bus Practice Lead, Jacobs, Boston, MA
Climate Action Planning3:15 - 5 p.m.
Burroughs, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe changing climate undermines the system’s ability to perform reliably, safely, and efficiently. Heavy precipitation, coastal flooding, heat, and changes in average precipitation and temperature threaten the performance of the entire network, with critical ramifications for safety, environmental sustainability, economic vitality and mobility, congestion, and system reliability, particularly for vulnerable populations and urban infrastructure. Hear how agencies are collaborating and partnering with cities, states, universities, and nonprofits in developing climate action plans and leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. Moderator - Kara Angotti, Senior Sustainability Manager, AMTRAK, Philadelphia, PA
Climate Change Programs in a Challenging Public Transit Climate- Rebecca R. Collins, LEED AP O+M, , Philadelphia, PA
Transit Contribution to a Resilient Region- Amna Parson, , Seattle, WA
Path to Carbon Neutral: King County Metro's efforts to strengthen operational GHG emission targets- Chester Knapp, Transportation Planner III, King County Metro , Seattle, WA
BART Climate Resiliency from Policy to Practices- Tian A. Feng, FAIA, FCSI, District Architect, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), Oakland, CA
Recent Topics in Scheduling3:15 - 5 p.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontScheduling is a backbone element of transit service, but it is often under-appreciated and its elements are not well understood by many within the transit industry. In this session presentations will cover recent scheduling challenges and issues tied to data and technology changes, as well as old standards of cost and staffing issues involved with use of part-time bus operators and obtaining customer feedback once new schedules have been implemented. The information should be useful to all multimodal operations and sustainability attendees who can learn lessons on some key points they may not be exposed to elsewhere. Moderator- Michael Abegg, Principal, Minuteman West Consulting Group, Benicia, CA
Part-time Bus Operators: Worth Another Look?- Daniel K. Boyle, President, Dan Boyle & Associates LLC, Alexandria, VA
"That's Easy For You To Say": Delivering on Consultant Scheduling Promises For System Reimagining- Imad Haj-Ismail, Manager of Scheduling, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro), Houston, TX
Signups in Pajamas: How SF Muni Got Its Operators to Bid Online- Leslie Bienenfeld, Manager of Special Events and Construction, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni), San Francisco, CA
A New Approach to Customer Feedback- Trey Blaise, Schedule & Service Design Analyst, Metra, Chicago, IL
Successful Outreach and Engagement3:15 - 5 p.m.
Lewis, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontMost of us think of outreach in terms of engaging the general public and elected officials, and that is important. Reviewing customer complaints can also lead to a better understanding the customer experience and influence changes to policies and practices that ensure equitable access for all, including customers with disabilities. Meaningful community engagement with disadvantaged communities can affect positive change. Having a deliberate and consistent approach to public participation on all projects provides staff with the support needed to meet high standards of practice, such as agency-wide requirements, staff resources and training and on-going relationship building. Successful inter-agency coordination, especially with other providers in your region, can improve the customer experience while also respecting each organization. Join this session to hear how agencies are working with others most successfully. Moderator - Nathan Higgins, Principal, Cambridge Systematics, Inc., Medford, MA
Public Outreach & Engagement Team Strategy Program (POETS)- Deanna J. DeSedas, Public Outreach & Engagement Manager, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco, CA
Using the Customer Experience to Influence Policy Change and Practice- Jeffrey Michael Jackson, Management Analyst - Operations Administration, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, San Jose, CA
- Mehakmeet Saini, Human Resources Analyst-Office of Civil Rights, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, San Jose, CA
Inter-Agency Fare Coordination and Joint Implementation -- How to be Successful- Mary Kate Morookian, Transit Planner, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Raleigh, NC
- Cristina Barone, AICP, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc., Seattle, WA
Multimodal Operations Planning Subcommittee Meeting5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe Multimodal Operations Planning Subcommittee's mission is to serve as an industry focal point for the dissemination and development of best practices, standards, and technical production of passenger transport operating schedules, plans, policies, and procedures, intended to enhance the effectiveness of route and service scheduling, planning, intermodal transfers, and training in the practice of passenger transport operating scheduling, service planning, intermodal transfers, and facility design. This meeting is open to anyone interested; subcommittee membership is limited to any APTA member. There is no need to RSVP in advance. Sustainability Commitment Signatories Subcommittee Meeting5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Carlton, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe Sustainability Commitment Signatories Subcommittee directly oversees the development of the APTA Sustainability Commitment program. This meeting is open to anyone interested; committee membership is limited to Commitment signatories. Evening Reception6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Reception sponsored by Jacobs 
Battery Electric Bus Subcommittee Meeting7 - 8 a.m.
Carlton, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe newly-formed Battery Electric Subcommittee will meet for the first time to introduce the purpose of the subcommittee and invite input from APTA members on focus areas and activities for the group. The subcommittee’s mission is to facilitate discussion and sharing of information and best practices around battery electric bus and charger deployment. APTA staff will invite attendees to provide input that can be used in developing the subcommittee’s work plan for the coming year. This meeting is open to anyone interested; subcommittee membership is limited to any APTA member. There is no need to RSVP in advance. Envioronmental Justice/Title VI Subcommittee Meeting7 - 8 a.m.
Marina Ballroom I, Lobby Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe Environmental Justice/Title VI Subcommittee will meet for the first time at this year's workshop. Its mission is to raise awareness of environmental justice, Title VI, and equity issues in transportation plans, programs, project development and transit services. This meeting is open to anyone interested; subcommittee membership is limited to any APTA member. There is no need to RSVP in advance. Networking Breakfast7 - 8 a.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Sponsored by AECOM 
Registration7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTabletop Displays7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontData and Technology8 - 9:30 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontWith some many recent advances in technology, many transit agencies now find themselves inundated with data and looking for ways to translate this information into improved performance and service. We often struggle to present all this data to decision-makers in a compelling way but data visualizations and dimensions can help make the case. High resolution AVL data can be used to prioritize transit priority treatments and evaluate their effectiveness. Accurate data from improved technology can also enhance internal operations and help diagnose performance issues and prescribe appropriate actions. Analyzing the data allows agencies make meaningful service adjustments that improve the customer experience. Moderator - Stephen Newhouse, Project Manager, Bus Speed and Reliability, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink), New Westminster, BC
Schedule Adherence Playbook- Michael Helta, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Maryland Transit Administration, Baltimore, MD
Using Data (and lots of it) to Improve the Customer Experience- Lawrence Deeter, Manager Systems Development, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, TX
Planning Priority with PingsA Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Telling a Better Story with Data Visualizations- Parveen Kaur Sarana, Transportation Planner, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink)
Social and Economic Sustainability8 - 9:30 a.m.
Lewis, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontHow and why are economic, social, and health assessments used in sustainability? When and how are they implemented? How can it help my organization? Applying these key processes within the over-arching sustainability framework can assist organizations in thinking, communicating, planning, and designing creatively to help leadership realize a more effective feature. Thinking through a sustainability context to identify and evaluate opportunities associated with economic and social impacts is increasingly being used to prioritize which initiatives, programs, and processes best meet the triple bottom line. Hear from these speakers as they discuss initiatives from transit agencies to create more opportunities for workforce development, social justice, health assessment, community building and engagement, and economic development within their agency and in transportation projects. Session sponsored by HDR, Inc. Moderator- Sarah Buckle, South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink), New Westminster, BC
Economic and Social Sustainability of Emerging Transportation Options- Pamela Yonkin, ENV SP, Sustainability & Resiliency Director of Transportation, HDR, Boston, MA
Social and Economic Sustainability Performance Measures for Public Transportation- Heather Unger, LEED AP, ENV SP, Senior Sustainability Consultant, WSP USA, Philadelphia, PA
Beyond "Green": Enhancing the Social Aspect of Data-driven Sustainability Programs- Ryan McAlpine, MDOT MTA Sustainability Program Coordinator, WSP USA, Baltimore, MD
Transit and Emerging Mobility 8 - 9:30 a.m.
Burroughs, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe emergence of shared mobility services in recent years has encouraged a rethinking of how transit agencies can best meet their customers’ mobility needs. It is important to create partnerships and determine how these new players can complement traditional transit service. The presentations will include solutions to first and last mile issues, establishment of partnerships between transit agencies and other mobility providers, integration of TNCs into traditional transit service operations, developing apps for a seamless customer experience and initializing a plan for a mobility strategy of tomorrow. The topics covered in this session should be of equal interest to attendees with a transit focus and those with a sustainability focus, because these issues are at the core of future transportation planning. Moderator- Regina Clewlow, Ph.D., CEO & Co-Founder, Populus, San Francisco, CA
Stuck in the Middle with You – Addressing Denver’s First and Last Mile Problem- Paul Desrocher, Director, Transit and Rail, Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, CO
Providing Mobility as a Service in San Joaquin Regional Transportation District- Ryan J. Larsen, Ecolane USA, Inc., Elk Horn, IA
One Size Never Fits All - Building an Integrated Mobility Network of the Future- Corey Holder, Transportation & Service Planner, King County Metro , Seattle, WA
Using TNCs to Complement Fixed Route Service- Nicole Dufva, Senior Planner, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, St. Petersburg, FL
A Multimodal Potpourri9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontCome learn a little about a lot. This potpourri features sessions thatdidn’t fit neatly into one of the designated topic areas but are too good topass up! Moderator- John FitzGibbon, City of Edmonton, Edmonton, AB
A Comparison of Contracting Approaches in the Twin Cities Region- John Harper, Manager, Contracted Transit Service, Metropolitan Council, St. Paul, MN
Inreach – Tapping into Bus Operator Feedback and Closing the Feedback Loop- Keisha Farrell, Inreach Program Manager, Maryland Transit Administration, Baltimore, MD
- Kenneth Good, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Maryland Transit Administration, Baltimore, MD
Designing a Transit Network for the People- Scott Hamwey, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Boston, MA
Integrating Health and Wellness for Livable Communities 9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Burroughs, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontCreating safe, accessible streets and improving access to healthcare services and providers and healthful amenities go far in building and promoting healthy, livable communities. Frameworks such as the CDC’s Social determinants of Health and the HUD Promise Zone priorities invite the participation of transit and mobility professionals to develop integrated livable communities. What are the politics, processes and mechanics of integrating health, active transportation, and equity issues into the planning and design of livable communities especially capitalizing on diverse Federal initiatives? What is the link between how we build our cities and transportation networks, and the physical, social, mental and economic wellness of our communities? Hear your peers' techniques and perspectives in tapping into diverse Federal programs, integrating health impact in decision-making and active transportation in service planning, community design, and planning for healthy corridors. Moderator - Peter Varga, INIT Innovations in Transportation Inc., Chesapeake, VA
Transit's Multipronged Approach to Improving Health & Wellness- Jacob Labutka, Senior Planner, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, St. Petersburg, FL
Integrating Transit in Federal Health & Housing Frameworks to Create Livable Communities- Dr. Judy L. Shanley, Ph.D., Easterseals Director, National Center for Mobility Management; Assistant Vice President, Education & Youth Transition, Easterseals, Chicago, IL
Riverside Greenway - Closing Network Gaps- Dieckmann Jane Cogill, Transportation Planning Manager, Jacobs, Boston, MA
Complete Streets Implementation and its Impact on Health and Wellness- William Gordon Paille, Manager of Complete Streets, BSC Group, Inc., Boston, MA
Sustainable Projects and Programs9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Lewis, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTransit capital projects can save energy, increase the comfort, health and safety of users, and help steward valuable environmental resources. Join this session to hear agency experiences in incorporating energy and environment measures into the planning, design, finance, construction, and maintenance of transit facilities and infrastructure. Moderator - Margaret Cederoth, AICP, LEED AP, Director of Planning and Sustainability, California High-Speed Rail Authority, Sacramento, CA
Walk Bridge Replacement Project: A Sustainable Project for Norwalk & the Northeast Corridor- Ben N Walker, HNTB Corporation, Tampa, FL
Moving Metro Towards Energy Efficiency- Emma West, Capital Program Analyst, Office of Sustainability, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC
In the Balance – Trees and Transit- Julie Montgomery, Director of Architecture and Art, Director of Architecture and Art, Sound Transit, Seattle, WA
- Iman Rejaie, Practice Lead, HNTB Corporation, Bellevue, WA
Aligning Sustainability and Asset Management- Ryan McAlpine, MDOT MTA Sustainability Program Coordinator, WSP USA, Baltimore, MD
Speaker Luncheon11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Marina Ballroom I-III, Lobby Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Lunch sponsored by WSP USA 
Guest Speaker: Climate Change: The Greatest Public Health Challenge of our Time, and what You Can Do About It- Gina McCarthy, Former U.S. EPA Administrator, Director of the Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE), Harvard University, Boston, MA
Consistently Getting There Faster1:30 - 3 p.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTransit agencies are faced with declining operating speeds in increasingly congested environments. There are many tools to improve speed and reliability. Stop spacing can be a controversial balancing act-trying to find the right relationship between service access and travel speeds is difficult. Bus stop inventory and GIS spatial data can be used to design an analytical scoring process and create a custom stop-spacing analysis model. Bus stop optimization projects can create an efficient network of stops spaced according to industry best practices and reflecting ridership and land use. Using your data to identify and prioritize the stops in need of accessibility and geometric improvements allows passengers to board and alight in a safe, accessible manner. Understanding transit operations and traffic engineering can help address the challenges that impact route performance and service quality. Creating environments where transit is the priority and applying rapid transit design principles to “regular” bus routes can help maintain & grow ridership in a challenging marketplace. Moderator- Paul Bignardi, AICP, Principal Transportation Planner, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco, CA
Increasing Ridership with Transit-Priority Streets in San Francisco- Steve Boland, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni), San Francisco, CA
Mitigating Traffic to Improve Bus Operations: Lessons from NYC- Elad Mokady, AICP, Senior Transit Planner, Sam Schwartz Engineering, New York, NY
Building a Case for Data-Driven Bus Stop Accessibility and Standardization- Thomas Hewitt, Jr., Director, Office of Service Development, Maryland Transit Administration, Baltimore, MD
Bus Stop Spacing and Reliability- Jimi Mitchell, Senior Associate II, Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, Inc., San Francisco, CA
Station Area Planning for Mobility Hubs1:30 - 3 p.m.
Burroughs, Conference Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Many transit agencies are planning for or transitioning their transit hubs into integrated mobility hubs and tying in broader long-term goals for transit corridors, shared mobility, and mobility-as-a-service. Mobility Hubs provide a focal point in the transportation network that seamlessly integrates different modes of transportation, multi-modal supportive infrastructure, and place–making strategies to create activity centers that maximize first–mile last mile connectivity. Join this session to hear how agencies are investing in technology and shared mobility for enhanced customer experience and regional mobility outcomes. Moderator - Peter Costa, Senior Associate, Sam Schwartz Engineering, New York, NY
Smart Stations: How Smart Tech is Being Used to Alleviate Customer Pain Points- Sasha Pejcic, Managing Partner - North America, BetterFleet, Ann Arbor, MI
Mobility Hubs- Chris Arkills, Government Relations Officer, King County Metro , Seattle, WA
Sustainable Business Practices1:30 - 3 p.m.
Lewis, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontIncorporating sustainability into business practices involves the examination of long-term practices that establish new ways of conducting business, from the sustainable construction and maintenance of infrastructure to green procurement. Hear from these presenters on practices that achieve these goals, including best management practices for energy efficiency, waste management, and establishing targets and measuring performance. Moderator - Kari Hewitt, Director of Sustainability, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB)
Aspirational to Bona Fide Sustainable Waste Management- Jeffrey Freeman, Sustainability Manager, Metro Transit, Minneapolis, MN
Role of Sustainability in Accelerating Transit Electrification- Christina Jaworski, Senior Environmental Planner, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, San Jose, CA
An À La Carte Approach to Incorporate Sustainable Processes and Projects at JTA- Alexander (Xan) Traversa, Planner III - Environmental, Sustainability and TOD, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Jacksonville, FL
Lighting the Way to Energy Efficiency and Improved Rider Experience- Serena Mau, , Oakland, CA
Roundtable Idea Exchanges3:15 - 5 p.m.
Marina Ballroom I-III, Lobby Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontJoin us for an interactive roundtable conversation focused on different public transport trending topics. With over two dozen selected current topics, attendees will have the option of picking up to two topics to “sit in” for and contribute to a discussion facilitated by an industry expert. Each roundtable will begin with a short introduction to the topic from the facilitator, and then he or she will open it up for broader discussion with the whole table. Be part of the movement and what is slated to be an enthusiastic discussion over coffee with your peers! Table 1: Addressing Scheduling Challenges When Transitioning to e-Buses- Houari Cheikhi, Business Development Director, GIRO Inc., Montreal, QC
Table 2: Beyond Checking the Box: Impact Mitigation Driven by Community Partnerships and Hawaiian Values- Dr. Ryan Tam, Director of Planning, Environmental Compliance, and Sustainability, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, Honolulu, HI
Table 3: Designing a Transit Network for the People- Alexandra Markiewicz, Manager of Bus Modernization, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston, MA
- Caroline Koch Vanasse, Transportation Planner, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Boston, MA
Table 4: Battery Electric Buses: The Story of Phase I and Beyond- Jacob Labutka, Senior Planner, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, St. Petersburg, FL
Table 5: Scaling Up a Successful Environmental Management System- Meghan Schulz, Corporate Sustainability Initiatives Manager, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia, PA
Table 6: Oh, The Shuttle and the Bus, They Can Be Friends: Seattle’s Employer Shared Transit Stop Program- Benjamin A. Smith, Senior Transportation Planner, City of Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle, WA
Table 7: Making Headways: Managing the Transit Scheduling Workforce in a Time of Change- Michael J. Walk, Research Scientist & Program Manager, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Austin, TX
Table 8: Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Strategies and Tools for Integrating Transit into Curb Management- Daniela Waltersdorfer, Associate, Cambridge Systematics, Inc., Medford, MA
Table 9: First/Last Mile (Km)- John FitzGibbon, City of Edmonton, Edmonton, AB
Table 10: Guidelines for Climate Action Planning- Deborah W. Matherly, WSP USA Solutions Inc., Columbia, SC
Table 11: Advancing the LEED Green Building Rating System for Transit Stations: Lessons Learned and the Route Forward- Lidia Berger, MEM, LEED Fellow, LEED AP BD+C, LEED AP O+M, ENV S, Director, Technical Core, U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, DC
- Kurt William Steiner, LEED Specialist, U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, DC
Table 12: Universal Design and New Mobility- Tian A. Feng, FAIA, FCSI, District Architect, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), Oakland, CA
Table 13: Multimodal Trip Planning with Shared Use Mobility- Jon Campbell, Transit Data Specialist, IBI Group, Seattle, WA
Table 14: Large Scale Zero-Emission Bus Fleet Infrastructure and Operational Costs- Alison Smyth, Engineering Consultant, Center for Transportation and the Environment, Atlanta, GA
Table 15: Telling the Sustainability Story – How to change the narrative about transit and change the game- Rachel Healy, Director, Sustainability, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, DC
Table 16: The Strategy for Energy and Environment of the Railway Company in Japan- Haruko Sato, Manager, East Japan Railway Company, Tokyo, Japan
Table 17: Current Practices in Headway-based Scheduling, Management, and Performance Analysis- Leslie Bienenfeld, Manager of Special Events and Construction, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni), San Francisco, CA
Table 18: Incorporating Climate Change Data into the Design and Construction of Transit Projects- Dr. Emmanuel "Cris" Battad Liban, PE. ENV SP, Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles, CA
Table 19: Improving Pedestrian, Bike, and Transit Networks through the Complete Streets Program- William Gordon Paille, Manager of Complete Streets, BSC Group, Inc., Boston, MA
Sustainability Committee Meeting5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Carlton, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontThe Sustainability Committee's mission is to support the adoption of sustainable principles (economic, environmental, and social) in the public transportation industry and to articulate public transportation’s contribution to local, regional, state, and North American sustainability and livability objectives. This meeting is open to anyone interested; committee membership is limited to any APTA member. Networking Breakfast7 - 8 a.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston Waterfront Sponsored by BAE Systems 
Registration7 - 10 a.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTabletop Displays7 - 10 a.m.
Harbor Foyer, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontLife Without Diesel: Planning for Emerging Vehicle Technologies8 - 9:30 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom I-II, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontWith so many transit agencies moving toward zero emission buses, it is critical for agencies to share their experiences and lessons learned with their peers. The issues go far beyond the vehicles. Successful deployment requires bringing together aspects of planning, procurement, operations, maintenance and training. For example, careful route planning and operational adjustments such as driver training or charging opportunities can have a major impact on how successfully zero emissions buses will work in your service. At this panel, you will hear from three agencies who have deployed zero emission buses and learn from their experiences. You will hear about what to consider when planning ZEB routes, how to coordinate with departments throughout your agency, operational adjustments that will help the buses meet revenue service demands, and a comparison of life cycle costs for various fuel types in achieving reduced emissions. Moderator- Bridgette Holzapfel, Director, Business Development, INIT Innovations in Transportation Inc., Chesapeake, VA
Analyzing Clean Fuel Alternatives to a Battery Electric Fleet- Kate Lyman, Senior Planner and Project Manager, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Portland, OR
Lessons Learned from Operating Battery Electric Buses in the Real World- Tina H.T. Wu, AICP, Senior Technical Transit Planner, Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Reno, NV
Electrifying Denver's Downtown Circulator – Lessons Learned and the Path Forward- Carly Macias, Zero Emission Fleet Strategic Planning Manager, King County Metro , Seattle, WA
Response to Declining Ridership8 - 9:30 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontRidership, particularly on bus routes, continues to decline nationally. There are a lot of theories why this is happening, but what actions are being taken to reverse the trend and adapt to a new marketplace? Appropriate solutions vary from place to place depending on specific conditions and there is not a “one size fits all” answer. Does the answer include bikes and scooters, free or reduced fares, or improved stop amenities? How does a dependable methodology grounded in ridership propensity using GIS demographic data help rebuild perceptions of reliability and confidence in the network? Can agencies decide which actions have the best chance of helping us meet ridership and service quality goals? Join this session to hear about recent initiatives, both traditional and non-traditional, that your agency is trying to reverse the ridership decline. Moderator - Ronald Downing, Director of Planning, Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District, San Rafael, CA
Refining Corridor Ridership Propensity Estimates for Targeted Service Investment- Aaron Xaevier, Transit Planner, Valley Metro, Phoenix, AZ
Making Transit Appear Free to the Customer is the Best and Most Effective Way to Increase Ridership- Lisa Rheinheimer, Assistant General Manager, Monterey-Salinas Transit, Monterey, CA
Gimme Shelter: Universal Accessibility and Passenger Shelters- Mary Lawrence, , Houston, TX
Analyzing Changing Ridership: Taking a Local Approach- Ian Thistle, Strategic Planning Advisor, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Alexandria, VA
- Alissa Zimmer, Spatial Analyst Assistant, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Boston, MA
Partnerships for Sustainability9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom I-II, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontTransit projects often involve a wide range of stakeholders, including government entities, transit agencies, MPOs, consultants, contractors, vendors, and suppliers, among others. How can these entities partner together to find innovative solutions to solve problems? Hear best practices for collaborating and working together to successfully advance sustainability objectives and implement multimodal projects. Moderator - Lawrence J. Murphy, P.E., Senior Director | Buildings, Infrastructure & Advance Facilities, Jacobs, Wethersfield, CT
Sustainable Infrastructure through Community Partnerships- Chelsey Waterman, Chief Operating Officer, Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLink), Moline, IL
On Moving Sustainability: It’s Really About the People- Dr. Emmanuel "Cris" Battad Liban, PE. ENV SP, Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles, CA
Envision: The Value of Shared Sustainability Frameworks- Anthony Owen Kane, President & CEO, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, Washington, DC
Reimagining the Transit Network9:45 - 11:15 a.m.
Harbor Ballroom III, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontPublic transit agencies are updating their service networks to reflect shifting ridership patterns, changing demographics, new employment centers and other opportunities and challenges. Some agencies have started over with a clean slate, while others are making incremental adjustments at a sub-regional scale that are still significant. This session will share best practices and lessons learned from industry leaders reshaping the future of their transit systems. Moderator - Gordon Robinson, AICP, PMP, Managing Director of Operations, Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, Corpus Christi, TX
Rapid Regional Growth - Embrace the Challenge- Linda Morris, Chief of Service Planning and Scheduling, Miami-Dade Transit, Miami, FL
Cap Remap: The First Year of a New Network- Lawrence Deeter, Manager Systems Development, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, TX
LA Metro NExtGen Bus Study: Innovating to Advance Network Redesign- Flavie Gagnon-Pontbriand, Product Manager, GIRO Inc., Montreal, QC
- Stephen Tu, Senior Director, Service Development, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles, CA
Blank Slate: SacRT Forward Route Optimization- James Drake, Principal Planner, Sacramento Regional Transit District, Sacramento, CA
Closing Session11:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Harbor Ballroom I-II, Conference Level, Westin Boston WaterfrontClosing Remarks- Cyndi Harper, Senior Manager, Route Planning, Service Development, Metro Transit, Minneapolis, MN
- Janet R. Gonzalez Tudor, MBA, ENV SP, PROSCI, STP, Director, Transport Advisory Services, HDR, Chicago, IL
Technical Tours1 - 4 p.m.Our host, MBTA, has arranged two informative technical tours on Wednesday, July 31. Pre-registration is now closed. Please see the host desk in registration to sign up on site. - Hingham Ferry Terminal – This tour is the same tour as the one being given on Sunday. See the description above for information on this tour.
- Wellington Car House – This tour will take people to the Wellington Carhouse, which is the maintenance facility for the Orange Line on the heavy rail system. Wellington is being completely overhauled to accommodate the new Orange Line vehicles. Participants will see some of the new vehicles which will be going through testing and inspection prior to being put into service later in 2019. The tour will focus on the challenges faced by the MBTA to perform a complete overhaul of the Orange Line fleet and its ramifications on operations, infrastructure and systems.
Note: Each tour will begin at approximately 1 PM and return to the hotel between 4:00 and 4:30 PM. All tours will involve a significant amount of walking and accessing transit vehicles. While not all MBTA vehicles and stations are fully accessible, the ones on the tours will are accessible. Where appropriate, the MBTA will provide Personal Protection Equipment (hard hats, safety vests, protective eyewear, etc.). Participants should be sure to wear footwear appropriate for a maintenance facility or construction site. |
