2018 Mobility 21 Summit Expo Nearly Sold Out!
All Mobility 21 Summit sponsorships include an exhibit booth at the largest one-day transportation event in California! Network with more than 1,200 attendees – click here to view the sponsorship packages.
Available sponsorships:
Titanium – $25,000 (SOLD OUT)
Platinum – $10,000 (SOLD OUT)
Gold – $5,000 (SOLD OUT)
Copper – $2,500
Don’t Miss Out on Early Bird Registration!
Early bird registration is now open for the Mobility 21 Summit on Friday, Oct. 19 at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live! Join more than 1,200 transportation stakeholders, industry leaders and elected officials at California’s largest one-day transportation event. Hurry, Early Bird registration ends Aug. 31!
Early Bird Registration: $295
Registration after Aug. 31: $395
Student/Military Personnel Registration: $175
Click here to register online!
Reduced Hotel Rate Reservations
Discount hotel rates are available to conference attendees! Click here to reserve your room now. Space is limited and the discount is only available until it’s sold out or Thursday, Sept. 27.
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 the immediate past chair 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:
Mo Hayes
Vice President, HNTB Corporation
For nearly 30 years, Mo Hayes has been engaged with large, complex infrastructure projects throughout the Western United States. Her involvement entails working with local, state, and federal entities to develop strategies to enable projects to progress from development to delivery in the most cost-efficient manner possible. She has been involved with numerous professional organizations encouraging policies to ensure publicly funded projects proceed in the most advantageous manner to the public. She is currently a Vice President with HNTB Corporation.
She has been instrumental in increasing the amount of alternative delivery methods such as design-build and CM at-risk. Notable Design-Build projects include Alameda Corridor, Mid-Corridor Trench; Reno RETRAC; LA to Pasadena and Foothill Extension Gold Line; Oakland Airport Connector to BART; LA to Culver City Expo Line; LA Metro Westside Subway Phase 1; and Crenshaw LRT. Program Management projects include SR-22 Design Build, John Wayne Airport Expansion, Bakersfield TRIP, Honolulu International Airport Modernization, I-405 Design-build, I-15 Express lanes, and I-10 Corridor. She has also had extensive involvement on the California High Speed Rail program ranging from initial planning through construction.
“I’m so excited to be a Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member as the Southern California region is experiencing an amazing amount of transportation projects due to multiple local measures and the impacts of SB 1,” says Ms. Hayes. “This organization provides a tremendous regional voice.”
Metro Gold Line East L.A. – Soto Street Station
Summit Platinum Sponsor Spotlight:
AECOM
AECOM has been growing—not just in size, but in our vision and capability. Long recognized as a pre-eminent planning, design and program management firm, AECOM is now also one of the world’s largest construction contractors and a leader in the operation, maintenance and financing of transportation facilities. Our full-service capability helps our clients deliver projects faster, smarter and better in a world where technology is advancing more quickly than ever.
With our recent addition of Shimmick and our legacy companies—Tishman, the Washington Group, and Hunt Construction—AECOM is now the fourth largest construction contractor in America, and consistently one of the top two design firms. The result is a unified delivery model that enables us to design and build projects with one technology platform, one culture, and one set of metrics and incentives, and a global synergy of ideas. We’re building the world’s most advanced, innovative projects and helping local communities, businesses and workers to thrive.
Among our 100 DB/P3 projects in the past decade are the first design-build-operate-maintain transit projects in the U.S.—the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line, the landmark World Trade Center Transit Hub and the new Freedom Tower in New York, Los Angeles Metro’s award-winning Gold Line Eastside Extension, the new Gerald Desmond Bridge and the new NFL Stadium in Los Angeles. Much more is on the way.
Kimley-Horn helped deliver the Expo Line Phase 2 Project
Summit Platinum Sponsor Spotlight:
Kimley-Horn
As one of the nation’s premier planning and design consulting firms, Kimley-Horn is proud to sponsor the 2018 Mobility 21 Summit. Since 1967, Kimley-Horn has delivered outcomes transportation agencies can depend on—projects that can be successfully developed, permitted, and built on time and within budget. With offices throughout California and nationwide, Kimley-Horn is a one-stop consultant, offering superior solutions and an exceptional level of project delivery in a wide range of services. Kimley-Horn has a dedicated workforce and has been consistently ranked as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” currently ranked No. 10.
Our proven ability to collaborate, react swiftly, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders delivers optimal outcomes for corridor and regional multimodal plans, transit facilities and systems, highway and bridge improvements, tolling and managed lanes, intelligent transportation systems, and much more.
Kimley-Horn’s professionals support projects that are improving mobility across the state, such as the Expo Line Phase 2, Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project, Caltrans Connected Corridors Program and Corridor System Management/Operations Pilot Project, I-15 Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) Project, North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), SR 110 Operational Improvements Project, and many more. Get to know Kimley-Horn at www.kimley-horn.com.
Smart Cities Solutions
Summit Platinum Sponsor Spotlight:
Parsons
Parsons is a technology-driven firm with a history in improving transforming cities, from building bridges to cybersecurity and intelligent transportation systems. We know how infrastructure works and how to meet the needs of the future today. We’re leading the industry in delivering long-term solutions that transform and evolve with the needs of smart cities.
Smart cities integrate systems connected to the internet of things (IoT) and optimize efficiency of city operations and services. Most of all, smart cities connect people and their communities. Parsons is dedicated to applying cutting-edge solutions and advanced technologies to ensure that smart cities put people first.
One such solution is Parsons’ Intelligent NETworks® (iNET) advanced transportation management system, which employs real-time traffic monitoring, traffic prediction, active traffic management, intelligent decision support, and integrated corridor management.
From hyperloop to drones and emerging technologies, each new infrastructure building block adds a new level of complexity and security protocols for cities to consider. Parsons provides cities the solutions they need to support and enhance their citizens’ and their visitors’ experiences. We’ve worked with cities around the world to implement smart city components and improve mobility. To learn more, visit Parsons.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Metro Staff Recommends Building Light Rail Between Van Nuys and Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station
Metro staff are recommending a 9.2-mile light rail line between the Orange Line’s Van Nuys Station and the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station for the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor project. The Metro Board of Directors will consider adopting light rail as the “locally preferred alternative” at their June 28 meeting. Here is the staff report.
The new rail line would run mostly down the center of Van Nuys Boulevard and along the San Fernando railroad right-of-way, adjacent to San Fernando Road. The line would have 14 stations with an end-to-end travel time of 31 minutes. Metro staff determined that light rail was faster, offered more capacity and would better serve the community in the future than bus rapid transit (BRT), the other type of transit under study for the project.
Van Nuys Boulevard is the second-busiest bus corridor in the San Fernando Valley and seventh-highest in the Metro system. The rail line would also offer transfers to/from the Orange Line, several busy Metro bus lines, Metrolink, Amtrak and two future Metro projects — the Sepulveda Transit Corridor rail line and the North San Fernando Valley BRT line.
Demographics also played a significant role in the staff’s recommendation. Transit dependency, population density and poverty are all higher in the project’s study area than in the urbanized part of L.A. County as a whole. The area’s population and number of jobs are both expected to rise in the coming years.
Metro staff are also recommending that the light rail maintenance and storage yard be at “Option B” between Raymer and Keswick Streets in Van Nuys, which will require the acquisition of 37 commercial parcels — the least of any of the three options considered. Metro studied three potential sites for a Maintenance Storage Facility along the corridor, and Option B received the most community support, whereas Option A received hundreds of comments of opposition.The project is slated to break ground in fiscal year 2021-22 and open in 2027. This project is also part of Metro’s Twenty Eight by ’28 Plan, which seeks to ensure that 28 major projects are completed in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in the Los Angeles area.
A separate project — the Sepulveda Transit Corridor — is looking at a variety of rail options to run between this project, the Orange Line and the Purple and Expo Lines on the Westside.
Initial concepts for that rail projectwere released last week, including one concept that would have light rail on the East San Fernando Valley project continue south and tunnel under the Santa Monica Mountains to the Westside. Other concepts include heavy rail (trains that are wider, longer and faster) or monorail trains that would allow for transfers to the East San Fernando Valley line.
The staff recommendation for light rail — which is widely supported by community residents and stakeholders — is quite a milestone for a project that originally was supposed to be a bus lane project as part of Measure R. Throughout the project’s planning studies, the community spoke up in favor of rail — and Metro ultimately listened.
The Project has over $800 million from Measure R and M, over $200 million from the Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) gas tax and vehicle fee increases that became law in 2017, and over $200 million from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and construction is projected to cost $1.3 billion.
Once the Metro Board approves a locally preferred alternative, work will begin on the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report (FEIS/R). That is scheduled to be completed in 2019 to be followed by design and engineering, utility relocation and the selection of a contractor to build the project.
Metro will host an Open House Tuesday, June 19, in Van Nuys to provide an overview of the project the Metro Board of Directors will be considering this month. This Open House will feature identical presentations at 5:15 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m. Staff will also provide updates on the Orange Line.
Information stations will offer details on the projects and provide an opportunity to talk directly with Metro staff. Metro Real Estate will also be available to answer questions. More details here: https://www.metro.net/projects/east-sfv/east_sfv-upcoming-meetings/
Passengers board Metrolink’s Inland Empire Orange County Line at the Corona-North Main Station on June 12.
Metrolink Service Marks 25 Years
in Riverside County
It’s been 25 years since Metrolink trains began rolling in Riverside County, and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is marking this milestone with a series of activities this month, including an online “Metrolink Memories” contest.
While Metrolink began operations in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in October 1992, service started in Riverside County on June 14, 1993 with four round-trip trains on the new Riverside Line between Riverside and Los Angeles.
The rail service provided – and continues to provide — a convenient, traffic-free way for commuters and fun-seekers to travel across southern California.
Service expanded next in Riverside County to the Inland Empire-Orange County Line in October 1995, and then the 91 Line in May 2002. In June 2016, the 91 Line was extended 24 miles to Perris, creating the 91/Perris Valley Line to serve travelers from Perris and other southwestern Riverside County communities.
Throughout the years, Metrolink service has continued to grow and now serves as the nation’s third largest commuter rail system, with seven routes, 62 stations, and 534 route-miles across its system. An average of 39,000 passengers ride Metrolink each weekday, with 60 percent of these riders crossing county lines.
RCTC owns and operates nine stations in Riverside County, including three in Riverside, two in Perris, two in Corona, one in Jurupa Valley, and one in Moreno Valley.
During the week of June 11, RCTC hosted booths at selected stations to distribute information and giveaways. Riders also are invited to enter RCTC’s “Metrolink Memories” contest, in recognition of the lasting friendships, romantic relationships, family trips and other special events that have been sparked by riding Metrolink. To enter for a chance to win monthly passes and other items, go to rctc.org/memories and complete the online form. Photos or video clips also may be uploaded to support contest entries, which are due July 14, 2018. Top entries will be shared via RCTC’s website and social media.
RCTC and other transportation agencies comprise the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, a joint powers authority that operates Metrolink trains across the counties of Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura.
OCTA Appoints New Chief Operating Officer
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) recently announced that industry veteran Jennifer Bergener has been appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer, which completes an organizational restructuring to meet the existing and future transit needs of the county.
In the newly created position, Bergener will be responsible for all transit operations including bus operations and maintenance, rail operations, OC Streetcar operations and maintenance,
Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) oversight,
paratransit, microtransit and contracted transit services.
“This new position unifies all of our transit operations and maintenance under one umbrella and sets OCTA on a course for success as we continue to reinvent the way in which we deliver public transportation,” said OCTA CEO Darrell Johnson. “Jennifer’s experience and skills make her the ideal leader to take on this role.”
Bergener has more than 20 years of experience as a transit professional, holding a broad range of positions in transportation programming, finance, project development and delivery, as well as governmental affairs.
For the past 15 years, Bergener has been at OCTA serving in a variety of roles primarily in rail planning, project and program delivery and new transit services development. In addition, she has served as the Managing Director for LOSSAN, which serves as the managing agency for the state-supported, Amtrak-operated Pacific Surfliner intercity passenger rail service. Jennifer started her career at Amtrak, working on project development and cost controls and she also worked at the San Mateo County Transit District as a grant and program writer.
“I’m excited to lead a team of talented individuals who show every day how dedicated they are to delivering innovative public transportation options for the residents, business and visitors of Orange County,” Bergener said. “OCTA is prepared to tackle the challenges and explore the opportunities presented in our rapidly evolving industry.”
In the past five years, OCTA has embarked on an effort to reinvent transit service in Orange County through a number of initiatives including redesigning the bus system, redeploying resources to the core of the county and introducing local transit options, exploring on-demand transit, enhancing the customer experience through technology, and building the OC Streetcar, a light-rail line set to break ground later this year.
Orange County’s Toll Roads’ Fiscal Year 2019
Budgets Reflect Strong Financial Health
The Boards of Directors of the San Joaquin Hills (SJHTCA) and Foothill/Eastern (F/ETCA) Transportation Corridor Agencies approved budgets totaling $342.8 million to fund operations and debt service on bonds issued to build the roads, enhance customer service and advance initiatives and capital improvement projects for the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads for the upcoming fiscal year. Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) begins July 1, 2018.
The FY19 budgets reflect continued year-over-year ridership and revenue growth and contributions to the Agencies’ healthy reserves.
“More people are choosing to drive our roads every day and Orange County’s transportation infrastructure has benefited greatly over the years from the value The Toll Roads provide,” said Mike Kraman CEO of the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA). “We are entering FY19 following five consecutive years of strong growth and our finances have never been in better condition, as evidenced by recent bond ratings, strong liquidity and growing reserve fund balances.”
In FY19, transactions and toll revenue are projected to increase by 2.1 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively, for SJHTCA; and 3.1 and 3.5 percent, respectively, for F/ETCA. Currently, more than 330,000 daily transactions are recorded on the 51-mile toll road system that represents 20 percent of Orange County’s highway system and is the largest toll road network in California.
The FY19 budgets provide funding for:
- Constructing a bridge overcrossing at Oso Parkway to enhance mobility by allowing cars to seamlessly travel to and from the new Los Patrones Parkway and the 241 Toll Road
- Growing cash reserves to protect against economic downturns, allowing for future capital project financing and preserving the flexibility for early debt repayment
- Planning for improved customer service and operations with the transition to 6C tolling technology and streamlining customer account options for all 1.2 million accountholders
- Initiating a formal environmental review of traffic relief options for South Orange County
Visit TheTollRoads.com to view the FY19 budgets.
Mobility 21 wants to hear from you
If you have ideas for future Mobility 21 Forward Motion articles, send them to Kristin Slocum at
kslocum@mobility21.com