Mobility 21 to Co-host Holiday Reception Honoring
California Transportation Commission
Please join the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Inland Empire Economic Partnership, Inland Action, Mobility 21, Monday Morning Group, RCTC and SANBAG on Wednesday, Dec. 9 for a holiday reception honoring the California Transportation Commission (CTC).
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Atrium at the Riverside County Administrative Center
Registration
$25 Private Sector
$10 Public Sector, Nonprofits, Students, Elected Officials
Sponsorship
$500: Includes company logo on event marketing and one complimentary ticket
$250 (small businesses and nonprofits only): Includes company name on event marketing and one complimentary ticket
Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Andres Ocon
Vice President and Key Account Manager
CH2M
Andres Ocon, PE, is a Vice President and Key Account Manager for CH2M in the Los Angeles basin wherein he occupies an Executive role in identifying, pursuing and winning major pursuits within cross business groups in the Los Angeles area.
Andres’ role is heavily business development focused and he is involved with CH2M’s large Transportation and Infrastructure pursuits. He joined the Mobility 21 Advisory Board in 2015.
Prior to joining CH2M Andres was a Senior Vice President with AECOM and URS where he served in various senior leadership roles. He has held operational as well as business development positions. Most recently, he was AECOM’s West Region Practice Leader for Program and Construction Management where he provided leadership for Highway, Rail and Building Programs.
Andres has a strong transportation background and previously held senior management positions with LA Metro and Caltrans. While at LA Metro, he developed the LA County HOV program, and as Director of the Central Area Team oversaw a staff of transportation professionals that developed multimodal rail and highway transportation projects within the City of Los Angeles, including the planning for the Pasadena Metro Blue Line, the Metro Red Line Eastern Extension and the development and funding of the arterial and highway and freeway system.
Andres received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Marquette University and is an active member with the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) for over 15 years.
Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Kristin Decas
CEO and Port Director
Port of Hueneme
Since beginning her tenure as CEO with the Port of Hueneme and General Manager of the Ventura County Railway in February 2012, the Port has realized several successes. Tonnage totals have grown every year since her arrival from 1.3 million tons for FY 2012 to over 1.575 million metric tons in 2015 marking the Port’s strongest sustained trade years since its inception in 1937.
A most recent success includes the Port’s first ever TIGER grant award at 12.3 million for capital improvements including, deepening berths, strengthening wharfs, modernizing cargo infrastructure and building on-dock rail connections. Kristin championed the first annual Port Banana Festival, drawing over 10,000 visitors to the Port. Trade related activities generate $1 billion in annual economic impact and create more than 10,200 direct, indirect, induced and influenced jobs.
Before coming on board with the Port of Hueneme Ms. Decas spent five years as CEO and Port Director for the Port of New Bedford, Massachusetts where she was responsible for the operations and the strategic economic development of the nation’s #1 value commercial fishing Port. Most recently Kristin was awarded a high-profile appointment by the U.S. Department of Transportation to both the National Freight Advisory Committee (NFAC) and the U.S. Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC).
Ms. Decas serves as 2014-15 Chairwoman of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade association representing more than 130 public port authorities in the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Click here to watch a video of the press event at Union Station to promote Metro’s on-going campaign against sexual harassment.
Metro, Peace Over Violence and LASD Double Down on Campaign to Thwart Sexual Harassment
Reaffirming their commitment to safety and security, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the community organization Peace Over Violence (POV) and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) announced a stepped-up public information campaign to enlist riders’ help in on-going efforts to thwart sexual harassment on the bus and rail system.
“Safety is Metro’s highest priority, and today we double down on the successful ‘It’s Off Limits’ campaign we first started six months ago,” said L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Mark Ridley-Thomas. “We have updated our campaign with a call to action, and we encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment to speak up and report the crime.”
Metro, POV and the LASD launched a second outreach of the “It’s Off Limits” campaign that, in its first release last spring, contributed to a decline in incidents of sexual harassment.
For the past two years, Metro’s semi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey has asked a question about sexual harassment: “In the past six months, while riding on Metro, have you experienced unwanted sexual contact including, but not limited to, comments, touching or exposure.” In the fall 2014 survey 22 percent of respondents answered “yes.” After the “It’s Off Limits” campaign was launched the “yes” responses in the spring 2015 survey declined to 19 percent.
Metro is one of a handful of transit agencies worldwide that surveys customers on sexual harassment. Some agencies, notably Boston and London, have tried anti-harassment public information campaigns but none has had the same results as Metro.
“Metro’s highest priority is to ensure that our bus and rail system is safe for our passengers and employees,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board member Michael D. Antonovich, co-author of the motion that brought together MTA Communications, Security and Ethics office to reduce the number of these incidents. “We must continually work to enhance transit safety to prevent criminal activity, harassment or any sexual misconduct – even one offensive occurrence is one too many.”
Metro’s process is unique, whereas other transit agencies rely on academic institutions or media organizations to study their transit riders on sexual harassment; Metro staff conducts the survey and brings together stakeholders to find a solution.
“While the modest reduction in incidents is a promising start, we have to increase our efforts to stop sexual harassment and keep our transit lines safe and comfortable for women and girls,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro board member Sheila Kuehl. “We need to be constantly vigilant and responsive, sending an unmistakable message to potential harassers that they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted.”
The first outreach of “It’s Off Limits” defined sexual harassment as unwanted touching, comments and gestures. The updated message contains the call to action “Speak Up” and that sexual harassment is off limits on Metro. If you experience it or see it – report it. Call 1.888.950.SAFE.
“Speak up is the next step in progressive messaging to empower victims and witnesses of sexual harassment to report, since the overwhelming majority of these crimes go unreported,” said Peace Over Violence Executive Director Patti Giggans.
In 2014, the LASD registered 99 reports of sexual harassment on the Metro system compared to 19 percent of nearly 20,000 respondents to the Customer Satisfaction Survey indicating they had experienced unwanted sexual contact.
“Sexual harassment is not something a person has to put up with, it is not a part of life. We want to end it and the Sheriff’s department needs your help to do it,” said LASD Chief Ronene Anda. “If we get reports of inappropriate behavior that we can investigate, that’s just one more way that we can all help make the system safer for all of our passengers.
The active involvement of the riding public, working in partnership with law enforcement, expands Metro’s reach in providing a safer transit experience. Metro has 1.4 million bus and rail boardings on a typical week day.
“Each person who rides the system can be a partner with us in helping to keep their fellow passengers safe,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Harassers are on notice that passengers will speak up and we will find you, arrest you and prosecute you.”
Metro encourages passengers to report sexual harassment and any crime to the Sheriff’s hotline at 1.888.950.SAFE (7233) or call 911. Additionally, passengers can inform a bus operator, who can summon help. On a Metro Rail train, passengers can use the Emergency Call button located in the rail car. Report incidents via Metro’s application for smartphones, LA Metro Transit Watch, which is available for free download at the App Store and Google Play. The app contains a feature that turns off the camera’s flash, allowing people to take a photograph without being noticed.
Metro has already formed a multi-departmental Safe Space Task Force to attack the issue of sexual harassment, has updated Metro’s Customer Code of Conduct to explicitly prohibit unwanted sexual attention, formed a partnership with POV to provide non-law enforcement support for victims, is in compliance with national best practices recognized by the American Public Transportation Association and is in the process of forming a Community Roundtable to better connect Metro with its customers and to inform them of responses on the issue.
Check out this 30 second video from The Toll Roads’ campaign, “Enjoy the Drive.”
The Toll Roads Unveil New Campaign to
Highlight Stress-Free Commutes
The Toll Roads of Orange County recently launched a new creative campaign, “Enjoy the Drive,” that highlights the reasons people drive The Toll Roads – a stress-free drive on open roads and predictable commutes.
The campaign includes digital, video, radio and mobile advertising aimed to grab the attention of new customers and increase current ridership from the more than 735,000 FasTrak® and ExpressAccount® customers. The Toll Roads of Orange County offer nonstop driving and 51 miles of open road on the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads. To view a 30 second video spot from the campaign, please click here.
SANBAG Names Duane Baker as
New Deputy Executive Director
As the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) continues to expand its activities as a Council of Governments (COG), the Board of Directors approved the creation of a Deputy Executive Director position to serve as the primary back-up for the Executive Director, execute the long-term vision of SANBAG, coordinate COG activities and provide oversight for the planning, finance, management services and air quality/mobility programs for the organization.
Dr. Ray Wolfe, Executive Director of SANBAG, is pleased to announce that Duane Baker has been selected for the position. Mr. Baker was the Director of Management Services and Air Quality/Mobility Programs at SANBAG. Previously, he has served as Assistant City Manager for the City of Hemet and as Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Rancho Cucamonga and has 30 years of local government experience in the Inland Empire.
SANBAG was originally formed as a Council of Governments in 1973 and has had limited funding to pursue Council of Government programs like energy, water, public safety, and sustainability. The Deputy Executive Director will pursue additional funding through state and federal grants, as well as utilize funds resulting from SANBAG’s participation in the Home Energy Retrofit Opportunity (HERO) program to further develop COG programs in areas like renewable energy through community choice aggregation, alternative fuel vehicles, sustainability/air quality programs, community health and wellness and others.
Sign Up To Participate in California
Road Charge Pilot Program
The California Road Charge Pilot Program is a multi-year endeavor that strives to engage the public in order to gain input and feedback on a road charge. The charge is a policy where drivers pay to help maintain the roads based on the distance they travel or a period of time they use the roads, rather than the amount of gasoline they consume. Due to shrinking funding from the gas tax, increased road maintenance cost, the age of roadways and more fuel-efficient vehicles, California’s transportation system will continue to get worse without the funds to sustain them. In response to this problem, the Legislature passed SB 1077 directing California to conduct a pilot program to study the feasibility of a road charge as a replacement for the gas tax to pay for road maintenance. Click here to learn more and click here to volunteer to participate in the pilot program.
Caltrans Examination Announcement:
Senior Transportation Planner
Release Date: October 5, 2015
Final Filing Date: November 13, 2015 (Extended)
Examination Basis: Open, Non-Promotional
Click here for Caltrans Senior Transportation Planner exam information.
Caltrans is pleased to announce the posting of the Senior Transportation Planner examination. Employment from this examination may be offered in all Districts and Sacramento County.
The Transportation Planner is an interdisciplinary team member or manager who develops and analyzes policy and data to prepare, administer and monitor transportation plans, programs and projects.
Transportation Planners plan, develop, administer, evaluate and monitor transportation plans, programs and projects; prepare system plans of transportation facilities and services including highways, aviation, public transportation and nonmotorized facilities; perform transportation studies for the development of transportation systems of all modes; participate in policy development and implementation; analyze proposed policies from other government agencies; develop and analyze legislation related to transportation; propose, perform and evaluate transportation planning research; monitor and certify the regional transportation planning process for conformance with State and Federal requirements; provide Transportation Planning expertise to Federal, State, regional, local agencies and transit operators to carry out the transportation planning process; develop, administer and monitor consultant contracts and grant programs; promote and support alternative modes of transportation including public transportation and ridesharing; perform program management function of the State Transportation Improvement Program; participate as a departmental representative on transportation planning issues at inter-or intradepartmental meetings and public or private meetings and hearings; and do other related work.
This is the full supervisory level. Under general direction, (1) directs the work of a Headquarters branch; or (2) has charge of a district branch or unit including project level activities and regional level analysis; or (3) acts as a technical expert performing the most difficult and complex work which is either critical to the Department’s basic mission or of statewide significance.
You may access information on all Caltrans examinations here. The Exam Notification Service provides notification for a variety of upcoming exams listed on the Caltrans Exam Plan. If you have any questions regarding the above exam offering, please contact the Office of Examination Services at (916) 227-7858. http://admin.dot.ca.gov/hr/INFO_CENTER/ExamInfo/index.html
2015 Focus on the Future Conference
Nov. 15-17, 2015
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
More info | Agenda | Register
The Focus on the Future conference provides a forum for Self-Help Counties and other transportation agencies, elected officials and the private sector to share experiences, highlight upcoming projects and interact in a relaxed environment.
Transportation Events in the Community
Tuesday, Nov. 3
LA Chamber: State of LA Infrastructure
More info | Register
Tuesday, Nov. 3
OCBC: Chairman’s Leadership Breakfast Featuring Tom Phelps
More info | Register
Thursday, Nov. 5
WTS-LA: Annual Awards Dinner
More info | Register
Thursday, Nov. 12
ICTPA-SoCal: Luncheon Featuring Caltrans District 8 Director John Bulinski
More info | Register
Friday, Nov. 13
ASCE Orange County: Continuing Education Seminar on ITS
More info | Register
Nov. 12-13
California Economic Forum
More info | Register
Nov. 15-17
Self-Help Counties Coalition: Focus on the Future Conference
More info | Register
Nov. 15-18
CalCIMA: Annual Education Conference
More info | Register
Wednesday, Nov. 18
OCBC: Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards Reception
More info | Register
Wednesday, Nov. 18
WTS-IE: Foothill Gold Line Light Rail Project Update
More info | Register
Wednesday, Nov. 18
SoCalGas, SCAG: How to Access Cap-and-Trade Dollars Workshop
More info | Register
Wednesday, Nov. 18
CMAA So Cal: Student, CMIT and Intern Hiring Fair
More info | Register
Nov. 18-20
California Transit Association: Fall Conference and Expo
More info | Register
Dec. 2-4
Caltrans, SCAG, UCLA: California Transportation Planning Conference
More info | Register
Thursday, Dec. 3
WTS-OC: Annual Awards & Scholarships Gala
More info | Register
Wednesday, Dec. 9
CTC Riverside Reception
More info | Register
Monday, Dec. 14
SDHDA, ASCE, WTS, APWA and ITE: Joint Holiday Lunch
More info
Wednesday, Jan. 20
WTS-IE: 11th Annual Scholarship and Awards
More info
Thursday, March 24
IEEP: State of the Region
More info
Thursday, April 21
CMAA SoCal: Annual Awards Gala
More info
Thursday, April 28
IEEP and Drucker School: Logistics Summit
More info
Friday, May 20
ACEC Riverside-San Bernardino: Golf Tournament
More info
Friday, Oct. 21
2016 Mobility 21 Summit, Disneyland Hotel