Mobility 21 to Co-host Holiday Reception Honoring California Transportation Commission

Please join Mobility 21, Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, Inland Action, Inland Empire Economic Partnership, Monday Morning Group, Riverside County Transportation Commission and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority on Wednesday, Dec. 4 for a holiday reception honoring the California Transportation Commission.

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Riverside County Administrative Center

Registration 
$75 Private Sector
$30 Public Sector, Nonprofits, Students, Elected Officials
Click here to register

Sponsorship
$1,000 – Host Level: Includes logo on event marketing and two complimentary tickets
$500 – Support Level: Includes logo on event marketing and one complimentary ticket
$250 – Small Business Level: Includes logo on event marketing and one complimentary ticket

Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Ricky Choi
Director of Government and Community Relations
San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments

Ricky Choi is Director of Government and Community Relations at the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG), Alameda Corridor-East (ACE) Project, a regional government planning agency that strives to improve the quality of life for the more than two million residents living in the San Gabriel Valley. He is responsible for overseeing local, state and federal public policy and legislative advocacy, communications, public outreach and stakeholder engagement for the ACE Project, a comprehensive program of safety improvements and mobility upgrades at 53 railroad crossings and 19 roadway-railroad crossing grade separation projects in Los Angeles County. Ricky has nearly two decades of extensive experience in local and state government, public affairs and strategic communications. He has led the execution of construction outreach for a broad range of capital and transportation infrastructure projects, directed grant funding and government affairs efforts, and has supported regulatory compliance and infrastructure program oversight and implementation, including project development, environmental clearance, property acquisition and construction.

Prior to his current role, Ricky was Communications Director at BuildLACCD, Community Relations Manager at the SGVCOG and ACE Construction Authority, and a key community liaison and legislative advisor in the California State Assembly, California State Board of Equalization, and the Office of the California Lieutenant Governor.

Active in civic and community affairs, Ricky is President of the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library Board of Trustees and is a Board Member of the San Gabriel Valley Public Affairs Network. He previously served as Planning Commissioner in the City of Monterey Park, and Civil Service Commissioner and Parks and Recreation Commissioner in the City of Alhambra. He held leadership positions on the Board of Directors of numerous non-profit and community organizations including President of the Asian Youth Center, President of Asian Professional Exchange (APEX), and Board Member of the Asian Pacific Alumni of UCLA, Asian Pacific American Legislative Staff Network (APALS), OCA-Greater Los Angeles, and Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley. Ricky graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis in American Politics and a minor in Public Policy. He was named to the 40 Under 40 List by the National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs.

Mobility 21 Advisory Board Member Spotlight:
Ural Yal
Executive Vice President of Preconstruction
Flatiron

As Executive Vice President of Preconstruction at Flatiron, Ural Yal has more than 26 years of construction industry experience, including 14 years as executive oversight of several heavy civil construction projects across California. Ural joined Flatiron in 2017, focusing on acquisitions, operations, commercial management and business strategy during his career. Some of the Flatiron projects in Ural’s portfolio include the Los Angeles World Airports, LAX Automated People Mover, I-710 Pavement and Rehabilitation project, Redlands Rail project and Highway 1 Ventura Slope Restoration CM/GC project. He has also had great success securing alternative delivery contracts.

Ural holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Istanbul Technical University and a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, past president of the San Francisco Chapter of Engineers without Borders and current Vice President of the Highway and Transportation Division of Associated General Contractors of California.

Through Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program, OCTA continues improving traffic flow on O.C. streets while reducing air pollution.

OCTA Helps Reduce Congestion, Boost Travel Efficiency By Synchronizing Traffic Signals Across Orange County

The Orange County Transportation Authority continues to help transform the way residents and visitors navigate the county, significantly improving travel times, reducing vehicle emissions, and enhancing overall road safety through its Signal Synchronization Program.

An annual update on the program funded by the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation known as Measure M was presented to the OCTA Board of Directors earlier this month and demonstrated how the program continues to have a positive impact on mobility.

“For more than a decade, OCTA has strategically invested in signal-synchronization projects that optimize existing roadways, minimizing the need for costly new infrastructure, and helping people get where they need to be efficiently,” said OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen. “This program not only eases congestion but also contributes to cleaner air and a more sustainable future for our community.”

Since the program began in 2008, highlights of the program include:

  • Allocating approximately $102.6 million on a competitive basis
  • Successfully completing 107 projects along 954 miles of roadway
  • Benefiting more than 3,700 signalized intersections across Orange County.

Signal synchronization involves the coordination of traffic signal systems across multiple jurisdictions, allowing for drivers to travel more efficiently with more green lights and fewer stops and idling.

The program requires extensive collaboration among local agencies. By synchronizing traffic signals, OCTA enhances the flow of vehicles and improves safety for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Through the program, OCTA facilitates annual competitive calls for funding, allowing agencies to access 80% of funding through Measure M, complemented by 20% in matching local funds. The program also leverages additional resources, such as state funds through SB 1 – the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 – and Solutions for Congested Corridors grants, ensuring that every dollar is used efficiently.

Recent data from the program shows:

  • Average travel time has been reduced by 13%
  • Average number of stops has decreased by 29%
  • Drivers are enjoying an average speed increase of 14%, leading to savings on fuel costs.

By reducing stops and optimizing traffic flow, the program decreased greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 1.27 billion pounds, significantly contributing to regional air quality improvement.

OCTA continues to look to the future, with 26 additional signal synchronization projects in various stages of implementation, which will synchronize an additional 1,362 signalized intersections and cover 268 miles of roadway.

On Sept. 23, the OCTA Board of Directors approved the release of the invitation for bids, initiating a competitive procurement process for the construction of signalized intersection infrastructure along three signal synchronization projects in south Orange County: Bake Parkway and Rockfield Boulevard, Crown Valley Parkway, and Moulton Parkway. The construction associated with this procurement will support the implementation of signal synchronization timing plans to enhance traffic flow and reduce congestion.

For more information on this and other OCTA transportation programs, visit www.octa.net/signalsync.

Save the Date for May 1-2:
SCAG’s 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly 

SCAG is hosting the 60th annual Regional Conference and General Assembly on May 1-2, 2025, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert. Last year’s event gathered more than 800 attendees, including elected officials, city staff, and influential business leaders from across Southern California. Don’t forget to plan your attendance for this annual gathering to collaborate and plan for the future of Southern California. To subscribe for more information and to sponsor the event, please visit the SCAG website.

California Transit Association Prepares for
59th Annual Conference & Expo

California Transit Association’s 59th Annual Fall Conference & Expo, is just weeks away, taking place this upcoming November 20-22 in San Jose. Join us in the Capital of the Silicon Valley for stimulating sessions, a content-rich Expo, and networking among the best of the best in our industry.

We’re excited to welcome Summer Sanders, Olympic Gold Medalist, as our opening Keynote Speaker, sponsored by Uber Transit. As we head towards LA28, hear from Sanders on what it means to overcome challenges and adversity, how teamwork can lead to success and what athletes – and fans – are looking for from an Olympic host.

We’re also excited to announce our Thursday morning Keynote Speaker, Jarrett Walker, PhD, a world-renowned transit-network consultant and author of the influential Human Transit book and Human Transit blog.

Register today to learn from experts, inspire collaboration, celebrate your peers, and define the future of public transit in California and beyond. We hope to see you there!

Link for registration: California Transit Association > Events > Annual Conferences > Fall Conference & Expo (caltransit.org)

Traffic Along I-15.

I-15 Express Lanes Extension Reaches Significant Milestone with Release of Draft Environmental Document

In what marks a significant milestone for the Interstate 15 Express Lanes Project Southern Extension, RCTC and Caltrans have released the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) for the public to review and submit comments. The release of the Draft EIR/EA moves the region closer to relieving traffic on this part of the highway. Due to rapid population growth along the corridor and increased freight movement, traffic congestion continues to make the commute to and from southwest Riverside County difficult. The project aims to provide alternative travel choices and traffic relief to this region.

The proposed project would extend the I-15 Express Lanes an additional 15.8 miles from El Cerrito Road in Corona through Temescal Valley to State Route 74 (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore. The project would add two tolled lanes in each direction within the I-15 median by widening the pavement and bridges and would not replace any existing lanes. The project would also add southbound I-15 auxiliary lanes between both the Nichols Road on-ramp and the SR-74 (Central Avenue) off-ramp, and between the SR-74 (Central Avenue) on-ramp and Main Street off-ramp.

The 45-day public comment period runs from October 9 to November 26, 2024. RCTC will also be hosting three open house public meetings to provide the public information and to gather feedback from residents on the project.

Once the entire 15.8-mile length is constructed, the project would provide a reliable tolled travel time option to move motorists through this congested corridor and maintain compatibility with the regional Express Lanes network. The project would also increase opportunities for mass transit, such as RTA Express Buses and carpooling.

Stakeholders and residents are encouraged to review the draft environmental document and submit comments at rctc.org/15ProjectSouth

Photos: https://www.rctc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/0124_15_ELPSE_Map.jpg

Photos: https://www.rctc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/1024_Point_ELPSE_DED_Banner.jpg