Mobility 21 Announces
2015 Summit Award Winners
For the past 14 years, Mobility 21 has recognized leaders in the transportation industry for their tremendous contributions to the mobility of Southern California. Mobility 21 is proud to announce the 2015 award winners! They will be recognized at a luncheon ceremony during the Summit on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Disneyland Hotel.
Public Sector Leader of the Year Award
Hon. Kevin de León (invited)
Senate President Pro Tem, California State SenatePrivate Sector Leader of the Year Award
Noel Massie (confirmed)
President, UPS South California DistrictLifetime Achievement Award
Thomas V. McKernan (confirmed)
Chair of the Board, Automobile Club of Southern CaliforniaMobility 21 Tribute Award
Larry Sharp (in memoriam)
Former President & CEO, Arrowhead Credit Union
Join us in honoring the award winners at this year’s Summit. Save $100 by registering by Friday, July 10!
Our room block is selling quickly! Reserve your room at the Disneyland Hotel by Wednesday, July 29 online today.
Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Sarah Catz
Director
Center for Urban Infrastructure
Sarah L. Catz is the Director of the Center for Urban Infrastructure at Brandman University – Chapman University System and a Research Associate in the Institute of Transportation Studies at University of California, Irvine. She joined the Mobility 21 Advisory Board in 2015.
During the past two decades, Sarah has been a leading transportation/infrastructure and public policy expert and has played a key role in critical transportation and infrastructure projects, both at the local and state levels. She has served as the state’s acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation as well as the project manager for The Commission on Building for the 21st Century, a California infrastructure commission that included projects within water, transportation, housing, facilities and technology areas. While with the state of California, Catz also helped secure state funding for critical infrastructure projects, including major rail projects in Southern California.
Sarah spent 10 years on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority and served as Chairman of the Board, and was a founding member and two-term chairperson of the Board of Directors of Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink). Sarah is currently Chairwoman of the Orange County Forum, a nonpartisan current affairs organization convening the Orange County civic community to exchange ideas, and discuss public policy issues with distinguished speakers and national leaders.
Sarah recently joined Vectis Strategies, a national public relations and public affairs firm, as Senior Partner. Prior to joining Vectis, Sarah was Vice Chancellor of External Affairs at Brandman University-Chapman University System with responsibility for community and government relations as well as advancement and alumni relations. She has also been a partner in a national law firm and operated her own public affairs consulting practice.
Sarah has been recognized by The League of Women Voters of Orange County with the “OC Woman of Achievement” Award and by OC Metro Magazine as one of “10 Women Making a Difference in Orange County.” She also is the recipient of the California Transportation Foundation Tranny Award for “Citizen of the Year” and has been named “Woman of the Year” three times by the Orange County Chapter of WTS.
Sarah received her law degree from the University of Santa Clara and her bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.
Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Kip Field
Southern California Area Manager
HDR
Kip Field is the Southern California Area Manager for HDR and a civil engineer with over 28 years of experience in the planning, development, and implementation of infrastructure projects in California in both the private and public sectors. He began his career at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works with focus on transportation planning and land development. Yet the majority of Kip’s experience has been in the private sector as a consultant working primarily in the planning and design of transportation projects.
He has extensive experience in leading large, complex transportation organizations, addressing the needs of multiple constituencies, and delivering transportation projects. He has successfully managed a statewide program, involving over 165 cities in 19 counties as well as over 127 state, federal, regional, and local agencies. As a consultant, some of the notable projects he has been involved with include program management of California High-Speed Rail and the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Metrolink Expansion/Grade Crossing Program.
In 2007, Kip served as the Director of Public Works for the City of Corona for over six years. During those difficult economic times, he was successful in obtaining funding for and leading the department through the development and completion of multiple water and roadway infrastructure projects. He also served as a partner with the Riverside County Transportation Commission and led the city’s involvement in the development of the State Route 91 Corridor Improvement Project, a $1.3 billion design-build freeway improvement project through the city.
Kip was born and raised in Nebraska. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Nebraska and is always happy to return to HDR’s headquarters in Omaha for meetings, especially when its football season.
He resides in Riverside and spends all of his free time with his children (two daughters and a son), supporting them in their activities (baseball, dance, college trips, etc.) and enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing and camping.
Summit Platinum Sponsor Spotlight:
Cordoba Corporation
Cordoba Corporation is a nationally recognized civil engineering, program management, transportation planning and construction management firm specializing in transportation, educational facilities, water and energy.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in the cities of Santa Ana, San Francisco and San Diego, Cordoba has a 32-year history of doing the impossible as a mid-size firm with over 100 employees responsible for over $2 billion in design and construction projects throughout the state.
Our efforts throughout the years have been recognized by a Harvard Business School Case Study analyzing our unique approach to solving challenging problems for clients, and more recently, recognized as a top 100 professional service and top 50 program management firm in the nation by Engineering News-Record (ENR), a New York City based magazine that covers the latest trends in the construction industry nationwide.
While our projects vary in size and scope, all our projects share a similar vision; to create exceptional value in the communities in which they are built. There is no better example of that than Cordoba’s work building the California High-Speed Train, moving Space Shuttle Endeavour from LAX to the California Science Center, and working on nearly every major public infrastructure project in California.
Summit Platinum Sponsor Spotlight:
UPS
The first package delivery company to introduce alternative fuel tractors into its fleet, UPS® operates one of the largest private alternative fuel and advanced technology fleets in the U.S. Its fleet includes nearly 5,500 all-electric, hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid, CNG, LNG, propane, biomethane and light-weight fuel-saving composite body vehicles. Since 2000, these vehicles have driven more than 350 million miles – and the company aims to drive 1 billion miles in its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet by the end of 2017.
UPS plans to significantly expand its use of renewable natural gas (RNG) for its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. UPS fueling stations in Sacramento, Fresno and Los Angeles will utilize RNG for refueling tractors and delivery vehicles in UPS’s fleet beginning this month. RNG, also known as biomethane, can be derived from many abundant and renewable sources, including decomposing organic waste in landfills, wastewater treatment and agriculture.
UPS is developing the cleanest, most effective pathways to support the company’s effort to reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels while improving efficiency. These pathways involve deploying advanced technologies and alternative fuels in real-world applications. The company’s actions are aimed at developing economically viable lower carbon alternatives to traditional fuels for use in its extensive transportation fleet.
“UPS is committed to minimizing our environmental impact in every aspect of our service to customers,” said Rhonda Clark, UPS chief sustainability officer and vice president of environmental affairs.
Metro Board Awards Contract to Launch
Bikesharing in Downtown L.A.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board has awarded an $11 million contract to Bicycle Transit Systems, Inc., jumpstarting the first pilot bikesharing program in Downtown L.A., with expansions to other municipalities to follow. Metro will launch the bike share system in spring 2016 with nearly 1,100 bikes at 65 stations throughout Downtown L.A.
“We are building new ways for Angelenos to get around,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Riding a bike is another option people can use to commute to work or explore the region. Today marks the first step in Metro’s plan to bring bikeshare to cities across the county.”
Following the launch in Downtown L.A., the system will expand to Pasadena in 2017 as Metro plans to bring the program to eight other communities for a total of 4,000 bicycles in ten communities in L.A. County.
“Bikeshare can be a key element of the first-last mile and balanced transportation solution, expanding the reach of transit and providing our transit users with another mobility option,” said Phillip A. Washington, Metro CEO.
The launch will follow an extensive public outreach process that will give local residents, business owners and other stakeholders the opportunity to participate in the planning of the county’s newest form of transportation. As the community input process advances, bicycles will be available for short-term hire at a wealth of downtown locations such as Union Station, the Los Angeles Convention Center, Staples Center, Grand Park/Music Center, 7thStreet/Metro Center, Grand Central Market, Pershing Square, the Arts District, the future Figueroa Cycle Track corridor, University of Southern California area and numerous attractions.
Bikesharing, designed for low-cost, point-to-point short trips using a for-rent fleet of bicycles strategically located at docking stations in close proximity to one another and to transit, is a key transportation and first-mile-last-mile strategy that has already proved popular and successful in other major U.S. cities and around the globe, including New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Montreal, London and Paris. The new L.A. system will fill gaps in the transit network with durable bikes at self-service stations located every few blocks in Downtown. Residents and visitors can pick up a bike at any station, ride to their destination and drop off the bike at any open dock. The system will allow unlimited, short-term access to bikes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Smartphone apps will give users real-time information about bike and dock availability. System fares will be considered by the Metro Board at a future meeting. Metro’s Regional Bikeshare Implementation Plan shares capital, operations and maintenance costs with cities, ensuring the program’s financial viability moving forward.
“Metro’s commitment to treating bikeshare as an extension of the transit system lays the foundation for Los Angeles to have one of the most equitable bikeshare systems in the country, one that is truly accessible and affordable to the communities that will benefit most. It is critically important that Angelenos’ first experience with bikeshare is seamlessly integrated throughout Los Angeles County and we encourage all agencies to collaboratively seek compatibility across multiple systems,” said Tamika Butler, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition. “We commend Metro for taking a leadership role and look forward to the successful deployment of a regional system.”
Officials celebrate the opening of the I-215 Bi-County Project.
HOV Extension Connects
San Bernardino and Riverside
The San Bernardino Associated Governments, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration were joined by Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-31) and other local dignitaries to cut the ribbon on the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane Project on Interstate 215 (I-215) between San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
The approximately $170 million project extends the recently completed carpool lane between Orange Show Road in San Bernardino and the 60/91/215 Interchange in Riverside, traversing through the cities of Colton and Grand Terrace. One of the unique features of this two-year operation was the construction and placement of six 1.1 million pound steel trusses to serve as railroad bridges for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad that cross over the Interstate.
Approximately 160,000 vehicles travel this section of I-215 daily, reaching as many as 10,000 per hour during peak commute times. By 2040, that number is expected to jump to an estimated 335,000 vehicles per day and 21,000 per hour during peak commute hours. Forecasts also show a demand for carpool lane use of 97,000 vehicles per day by 2040. The new carpool lanes will encourage ridesharing through carpools and vanpools and improve the efficiency, safety and operations of traffic moving between San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Project funding was provided by Measure I (the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County), Measure A (the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County), as well as state and federal funds.
OCTA Chairman Jeffrey Lalloway and OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson unveil the new OC Bus design.
New Bus Design Set to Hit OC Streets
A new look for Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses will soon be rolling through Orange County streets.
The OCTA board voted earlier this month to roll out the colorful new design for its buses as part of an ongoing and comprehensive effort to maximize service, retain riders and get the attention of new customers.
The existing design, more than 20 years old, will be phased out to make way for the new look that prominently features a light blue and orange wave across the bus and the words “OC Bus.” The recognizable blue-and-white OCTA logo also remains.
“We’ve succeeded in refreshing the design so that longtime riders will still recognize the buses they know they can depend upon while also coming up with something modern to attract new riders who will discover all the benefits transit has to offer,” said OCTA Chairman Jeff Lalloway, also the Mayor Pro Tem of Irvine.
The timing was right for the re-branding because OCTA is in the process of replacing more than 40 percent of its bus fleet with 201 compressed natural gas-powered buses. The buses are scheduled for delivery from late 2015 to early 2017.
OCTA continues to explore ways to make its bus service a transportation option of choice for more Orange County residents by optimizing service delivery and by marketing and discounting prices to targeted groups.
Concepts for the new bus designs were reviewed by customers, advisory committees, members of the OCTA’s Teen Council and the millennial generation, and other stakeholders. The final design, they said, is inviting and dynamic and captures the personality of Orange County.
The new look is cost-effective to implement and maintain, and is a timeless enough to last for years.
Focus on the Future 2015
Nov. 15-17, 2015
Newport Beach Marriott
More info | Early Bird Registration Opens in August!
Save the date for the 2015 Focus on the Future conference, hosted by the Self-Help Counties Coalition. This three day, action-packed event will provide you with all of the tools, technologies, networking opportunities and cutting edge transportation solutions.
Transportation Events in the Community
Thursday, July 9
WTS-LA: Luncheon Featuring LAWA
More info | Register
Thursday, July 9
CMAA SoCal: State and Regional Rail Programs Dinner
More info | Register
Monday, July 27
California Transportation Foundation: NorCal Golf Tournament
More info
Wednesday, July 29
GoBiz: California Competes Tax Credit Workshop
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Wednesday, July 29
WTS-IE: 4th Annual Fundraising Softball Event
More info | Register
Thursday, July 30
OCBC: Executive Invitational Golf Tournament
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Friday, Aug. 28
Mobility 21: 2015 Summit at Disneyland Hotel
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Monday, Aug. 31
California Transportation Foundation: SoCal Golf Tournament
More info
Friday, Sept. 11
ACEC-OC: Scholarship Golf Tournament
Register
Thursday, Sept. 17
WTS-SD: Annual Awards Dinner
Sponsor
Thursday, Oct. 1
AAa/e Annual Awards Banquet
More info | Register
Friday, Oct. 2
Inland Empire Economic Partnership: Inland Empire Manufacturing Day
More info
Oct. 4-7
APTA: Annual Meeting
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Oct. 15-16
California Transportation Foundation: Transportation Education Symposium
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Thursday, Nov. 5
WTS-LA: Annual Awards Dinner
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Wednesday, Nov. 18
OCBC: Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards and Reception
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Nov. 15-17
Self-Help Counties Coalition: Focus on the Future Conference
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Nov. 18-20
California Transit Association: Fall Conference and Expo
More info