Transportation Engineering and Safety Conference 2024

Are you attending TESC for the first time? If so, please join Eileen Collins and Mark Bamat and members of the conference planning committee on Wednesday, December 6th, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, to learn more about the conference.
This is a great opportunity for first-time participants to discuss program development, the layout of the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, networking opportunities, exhibits, and other activities planned for the event.
Past attendees at this session said it was a great ice breaker and they were able to connect with other newcomers to go to a few sessions with another newcomer.

This session will feature presentations on the history, recent changes, and vision of the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  Significant and consequential changes in the MUTCD 11th edition, effective January 2024, will impact the type, size and location of traffic control devices across the US. Moving forward, provisions for key priorities are increasingly important, such as the safety and mobility of vulnerable road users and automated vehicles. Presenters will discuss these topics, and more, as they pertain to practitioners.

Topic 1:      MUTCD: History and State Adoption
Speaker: Jason Bewley

Topic 2:      MUTCD: TSMO and Traffic Signals
Speaker: Steve Gault

Topic 3:         MUTCD: Signing and Pavement Markings
Speaker: Justin Smith

Role of AI and application in ITS and Transportation.

Topic 1:  Navigating the Future: An Introduction to AI in Transportation
Speaker: Gunnar Rhone

Topic 2:  Using Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Decision Support for Traffic Management
Speaker: Kevin T. Miller

Topic 3:  Smart Solutions or AI: The Secret Sauce
Speaker: Dean Gustafson
 

Open panel discussion with younger professionals and seasoned leaders to discuss experiences and tips for navigating various stages of your career. Topics will include mentorship, team collaboration, professional development, work ethic and life challenges balance.

Panelists:
Chris Norris
Jennifer Walsh
Allie Slizofski
Alexis Williams
Lauren Carlson

DesignForce joins us once again for a workshop focused on Conflict Resolution in our industry. For this interactive workshop, we will:

• Identify common sources and triggers of conflict in the workplace.
• Understand the underlying theory and principles of the TKI model.
• Assess personal conflict resolution styles using the TKI assessment.
• Practice applying different conflict styles to various AEC workplace-specific scenarios.
• Learn various strategies for effectively approaching difficult conversations in the workplace.

Speaker 1: Ahmed Kurtom

Speaker 2 : Gabrielle Camilli

A brief presentation on the panel and potential topics followed by open panel Q & A:  Topics could include: Highlights of any recently passed transportation-related legislative actions and any potential transportation-related legislative actions under consideration; Thoughts and concerns from a legislative perspective on the future of transportation.

Panel Q&A                           
Panelist 1: Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr.
Title: PA Senate – Senate Transportation Committee (Republican Chair)

Panelist 2: Senator Marty Flynn
Title: PA Senate – Senate Transportation Committee (Democratic Chair)

Panelist 3: Representative Ed Neilson
Title: PA House – House Transportation Committee (Democratic Chair)

Panelist 4: Representative Kerry Benninghoff
Title: PA House – House Transportation Committee (Republican Chair)

Traffic incident management (TIM) is crucial for traffic engineers and professionals as it helps minimize traffic disruptions, improves roadway safety, and reduces the impact of incidents on the overall traffic flow. By efficiently managing traffic incidents, professionals can mitigate congestion, improve emergency response times, and enhance the overall operation of the transportation network. This session will look at the importance of TMPs and how they relate to TIM and how YOU, can make difference.

Speakers: Todd Leiss & David Wolfe

This session will delve into the intricacies of traffic management at large special events. We will explore the planning, implementation, and communication strategies—including traveler information dissemination and internal team management—employed at three unique events to ensure the seamless flow of traffic and the safety of all participants. Through detailed case studies and expert insights, we will share lessons learned and best practices for managing mobility challenges and enhancing the overall event experience.

Topic 1: USGA Women’s Open Event Traffic Management Lancaster Country Club
Speakers: Christopher Flad & Matthew Clouser

Topic 2: Title Northwest PA Solar Eclipse Event Management
Speakers: Greg Maser & Edward Orzehowsk

Topic 3: TBD – F1 Racing Event Management on the Vegas Strip        
Speaker: Tim Sjogren

The use of technology to support safety, mobility, and meet the expectations of the traveling public is also a requirement of transportation organizations’ ability to operate their day-to-day business. In addition, traffic operations and business operations systems often need to be integrated to meet the needs of the customer and the business. All of this use of technology is driving challenges for agencies: (1) organizational change management (how do you get all levels of the organization on-board with change as it relates to technology); (2) rising O&M and upgrade costs; and (3) human resources to support it. This session explores how agencies are or might address this challenge and how private industry partners play a role.  

Panelists:
Bob Taylor
Mark Kopko
Frank Cavalaio
Mike Maloch