Transportation Engineering and Safety Conference 2024

The City of Philadelphia will discuss its “kitchen sink” approach to improve public transit operations in congested, multimodal rights-of-way. Building off the data-driven corridor prioritization of the Philadelphia Transit Plan (2021), the City has embarked on an ambitious program of over 30 transit-priority projects. Delivering transformative change on these corridors has required the City and its partners to embrace a “kitchen sink” approach to corridor design that requires both infrastructure and policy solutions, working across scales, and approaching problem-solving iteratively. The City will discuss the highs – and lows – of translating a strategic planning effort into projects and policies that affect the urban right-of-way.

AECOM will discuss the Downtown Convergence Study and APTA’s “BRT Roadway/Infrastructure Design and Best Practices” white paper. The Downtown Convergence Study. This session features two case studies to help planners and engineers utilize innovated approaches, identifying strategies for navigating data analysis, and improve decision-making processes in their communities. The LinkUS Initiative addresses the anticipated growth in Central Ohio, particularly in Downtown Columbus, which is expected to increase by 40,000 residents by 2040. This initiative focuses on guiding mobility investments, enhancing housing and job access, and promoting sustainable development. The Downtown Convergence Study examined transit connections, future rapid transit corridors, and bike plans, while highlighting the importance and challenge of decision-making and balancing competing priorities. The objective of this white paper is to share best practices from transit agencies who have implemented or are about to implement BRT, hear about lessons learned, and considerations when planning and designing BRT in order to achieve its maximum benefits and effectiveness. The study took a two-pronged approach to collect information via both a survey and case studies. Topics include roadway design elements, enforcement of bus lanes, and ITS elements.

The Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) and Kimley-Horn will explore trends in post-pandemic transit, highlighting examples in planning, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making. Featuring a case study from Luzerne County, attendees will learn how data and community engagement shaped a recent transit development plan, addressing changing travel needs and reducing barriers to transit use. Emerging trends, including flexible transit options like microtransit, will also be discussed, offering insights into the future of public transportation in a post-pandemic world.

Topic 1:  Bringing the “Kitchen Sink” to a Transit Priority Program
Speakers: Chris Puchalsky & Andrew Simpson

Topic 2: What’s the Answer? Navigating when data analysis is not yielding clear solutions
Speaker: Lauren Lynch & Steve Scheerer

Topic 3: Transit in Transformation: Trends in Planning, Community Engagement, and Data-Driven Decisions
Speaker: Bob Fiume & Tyler Beduhn