2022 Transportation Summit

Developing and Enhancing Transportation Systems Throughout Pennsylvania

As the world changed with the pandemic, the transit system changed with it. There were more cars, bikes and scooters on the road, making the need for infrastructure investment even more apparent. Now, with federal funding coming to the state, we expect to see massive improvements to Pennsylvania’s roads, bridges, and public transportation options, as well as more focus on sustainability and innovation. As Pennsylvanians are slowly returning to their daily commutes, what will this look like from a transportation perspective? This full-day, in-person summit will bring together experts across sectors to assess the current state of Pennsylvania’s transportation systems, break down recent legislative actions, and look towards the future of all things coming and going in Pennsylvania.

9:00 AM	Check-in & Breakfast
9:30 AM	Welcome Remarks By Greg Salisbury, Senior Editor; City & State PA
9:35 AM	Keynote Remarks By Mark P. Compton, CEO; Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
9:50 AM	Video Interview with Leslie Richards, GM & CEO; SEPTA and Jenny DeHuff, Editor-in-Chief; City & State PA
10:00 AM	Building Efficient & Sustainable Transportation Systems in PA Panel In January 2019, an Executive order was signed stating that Pennsylvania would put plans in place to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. These goals were anchored by initiatives such as Driving PA Forward, the EV Roadmap, Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) and the Drive Electric PA (DEPA) Coalition, among others. Some of the key elements of sustainable transportation include important upgrades to the public transit systems in our major cities and the use of infrastructure funding to improve rail service, both by increasing its speed in heavy traffic corridors and by adding new train stations to improve flow. The transition to alternative fuels, vehicles and technologies by mass transit, fleet vehicles and individuals will also reduce our reliance on petroleum. Which upgrades are getting the most attention from legislators right now, and which sustainable transportation models can we expect to see in Pennsylvania’s transportation system? Moderated By Al Spivey, Principal; TSE, LLC Panelists: Tim Hennessey, State Representative, District 26; Chairman, House Transportation Committee Curtis Jones, Jr., Councilman, District 4; City of Philadelphia Esteban Vera, Jr., Business Manager; Laborers’ Local Union 57 Andy Taylor, Senior Director of Global Strategy; Cubic Transportation Systems
11:00 AM	Infrastructure Funding for Pennsylvania's Transportation Systems Panel The comprehensive infrastructure package is expected to support economic growth throughout the Commonwealth, with anticipated investments in repairing or rebuilding Pennsylvania’s roads, bridges, and extensive transportation system. The new infrastructure plans will address such issues as climate change mitigation, resilience, equity for the disabled, and safety for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians. Other issues include tolling of bridges to fund PennDOT without tapping into infrastructure funding which would then free up money from the new federal infrastructure bill for other projects across the state. But opponents say tolls would hurt the local economy near the bridges. What will happen with this legislation and how will Pennsylvania allocate the anticipated federal aid? How much will be allocated to roads, bridges, railways, mass transit, and airports? We speak to the experts on what will happen, and what should happen next. Moderated By Seth Kaplan, Transportation Reporter & Transportation Analyst ABC27 News & NPR's Here & Now Panelists: Mike Carroll, State Representative, District 118; Minority Chairman, House Transportation Committee Michael C. Keiser, P.E., Acting Deputy Secretary; Highway Administration Jon Geeting, Transit Forward Philadelphia, Executive Committee Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE, Executive Director; American Council of Engineering Companies of PA
12:00 PM	Lunch
12:40 PM	Networking
1:00 PM	Safety, Innovation, & the Future of Transportation in PA Panel Innovative programs around the state of Pennsylvania have been making headlines in recent years. These include Pittsburgh’s Smart Cities initiative and Philadelphia’s Complete Streets program, both of which are modernizing roadways in response to new and shared mobility and technologies such as autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and connected devices. Innovative solutions, such as increased bike lanes and programs that encourage the use of scooters and ebikes, are some of the alternative transportation models being implemented in urban centers. What are the anticipated outcomes of such programs? How can new infrastructure funding be funneled towards these programs? We’ll hear from PA’s top public transportation officials and other state government agencies who are working to move these projects forward and bring a spirit of innovation to our transportation systems. Moderated By Blake Lynch, SVP & Chief Impact Officer; WITF Public Media Panelists: Marty Flynn, State Senator, District 22; Minority Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee Sarah Clark Stuart, Executive Director; Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Tara Leystra Ackerman, Senior State Government Affairs Manager; National Safety Council Dan Corey, VP, Director Strategic Solutions; AECOM
2:00 PM	Networking
3:00 PM	Summit Concludes