Mobility Workshop
Mobility Workshop 2024
June 25, 2024, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Braude Building, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd
Due to program changes and interest across the region, the venue for this workshop was moved to Braude Building, 6262 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401. Please plan on joining us here.
If you haven’t registered yet, please do so via this link: SFVCOG Mobility Workshop 2024 Registration Form
Mobility Workshop 2020 – Part I
Mobility Workshop Part 1 Highlights
Posted July 1, 2020
On June 30, 2020, representatives from the San Fernando Valley COG region met via Zoom teleconference to start the process to set mobility priorities for the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments (SFVCOG) for 2021 and beyond. This annual process has been held in person for years, and this iteration required some changes due to the COVID19 pandemic both in form and content.
The session was kicked off by SFVCOG chair, Mayor Joel Fajardo of the City of San Fernando who welcomed attendees and emphasized the value of participation in shaping the priorities as we understand the impacts of the pandemic in the near and long term. He was then followed by 4 speakers sharing their unique perspectives to inform the attendees on what could be expected and why some endeavors and priorities are worth pursuing in this time over others.
The informative panel sessions started with University of Tennessee economist Dr. Marianne Wanamaker in her presentation, The Future of Work in a Post Pandemic World, wherein she talked about trends for how and where people will work in a post pandemic world. What work will look like in the future is still anyone’s guess, as living in close proximity to others becomes less attractive and less dense cities may lure a new generation of remote workers through incentives. Lower income and less skilled workers may be most disadvantaged in changing work environments. SLIDES
Hilary Norton, California Transportation Commission (Acting) Chair, described the potential for staggered work and commuting times as businesses strive to observe new social distancing standards in her remarks, Flattening the Rush Hour Curve. To ensure public distancing on transit and reduce gridlock, we need to look for new ways to travel “off peak”. Stay at home orders during the pandemic have shed light on how telework may impact the future of commuting. SLIDES
Thomas Götschi, researcher at the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management, shared concepts of active transportation and the importance of safety while getting around without a personal vehicle. As residents have sheltered in place, Los Angeles has seen an increase in bicycle usage since the pandemic began suggesting that cyclists feel safer on less busy roads. Some temporary changes in street use for pedestrian uses show the “new normal” can include active transportation concepts. SLIDES
Finally, L.A. Metro CEO Phil Washington offered a keynote of insights about the broader transportation climate that will become a part of post-pandemic life. As Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force, he is working to advance best practices and support an industry that is in crisis on many levels: increasing demand with limiting restrictions, revenue declines (exceeding $1.8Billion of two years for Metro alone), and existing priority issues that still require attention.
Following their presentations, each presenter spoke, they generously took questions from participants. After the speakers, attendees broke into groups to dig into the topics presented and set mobility priorities for the SFVCOG answering two basic questions: what should the new priorities be and how can you help advance them. The results of those small group discussions can be found here and will be used as a reference point for the workshop’s second part on July 30th at 10am when we reconvene and look at the priorities set today through an equity lens. You can register for that here.
* * * * *
Download the program, agenda, and links here:
SFVCOG Mobility Workshop Program & Agenda – Updated
“In a post-pandemic world, what will transportation look like for the SFVCOG region?”
The San Fernando Valley Council of Governments will explore this question to understand mobility and determine priorities in our region in these dynamic times.
Join us on June 30, 2020, from 8:45am to 12:00pm to gain insights from our expert speakers from across the US and provide direct feedback for future mobility investments and priorities in the SFVCOG region.
The SFVCOG has invited leading national experts in mobility to examine the impacts COVID-19 will have on the future of mobility. The speakers will provide an overview of national trends in mobility and a big picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead. All attendees are invited to contribute through small breakout sessions to provide feedback on the SFVCOG’s transportation priorities.
Speakers:
Phil Washington: Transportation Priorities in the time of Pandemic
In a post-pandemic world, what will transportation look like nationally and locally? Will we see a continuation of telecommuting? Will public health worries reduce transit ridership? What other modes of transportation will become more or less appealing? What are the trends we haven’t even considered? And, how do we leverage this time of change? Phil Washington will address these questions and share the impacts on future projects the funding for LA County.He was appointed in April to chair the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force focused on the industry’s recovery with an eye toward rethinking mobility as we know it.
Mr. Washington has served as CEO of LA County Metro since 2015, where he manages a balanced budget in excess of $7 billion, is responsible for overseeing between $18-$20 billion in capital projects and provides oversight of an agency with 11,000 employees that transports 1.2 million boarding passengers daily on a fleet of 2,200 clean-air buses and six rail lines. Metro is the lead transportation planning, programming and financing agency for LA County. As such, it is a major construction agency that oversees bus, rail, highway and other mobility-related infrastructure projects – together representing the largest modern public works program in North America. Washington is also engaged and partnering in all facets of transportation and infrastructure in LA County including aviation, goods movement, freight/railroads, water, public works, housing and transit-oriented communities (TOCs). He is also a past chair of APTA and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board and the Eno Center for Transportation.
Dr. Marianne Wanamaker: The Future of Work in a Post Pandemic World
As physical distancing requirements begin to roll back, what will it mean for workers? Will remote working become more typical? Dr. Wanamaker, leading scholar in labor economics, will share her best prognostications on what it will mean to spend a day at work and its impact on where we live, how we travel, and what that means for the future of our regional workforce.
Dr. Wanamaker is an associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee, a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a research fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA). She serves as co-editor of Explorations in Economic History and is the former chief domestic economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors, where she also served as the senior labor economist. She is a member of the Federal Workforce Policy Advisory Board. (Discussion here.)
Hilary Norton: Flattening the Rush Hour Curve
As some measure of physical distancing continues, will work schedules become more flexible to put fewer workers in once place? California Transportation Commission Vice-Chair Hilary Norton explores the short and long term impacts of a changing work environment on commuting and transportation.
Ms. Norton has over 28 years of experience in transportation and community development, currently serving as FAST’s founding Executive Director (since 2008) and Vice Chair (governor’s appointee) of the California Transportation Commission. Ms. Norton has mobilized a diverse coalition of business, labor, civic groups, educational institutions and transit organizations to support policy and infrastructure improvements to LA’s mobility, livability and economic prosperity. Through FASTLinkDTLA,– a new Transportation Management Organization (TMO) for Downtown LA, she oversees one of the first-ever in LA County micro-transit systems which connects travelers through the flexLA multi-mobility app, and connecting new on-demand wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV), transit, vanpools, carpools, scooters, bike share, biking and walking.
Ms. Norton co-chairs the Transportation Committees for BizFed, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Los Angeles Business Council.
Thomas Götschi: Active Transportation and New Public Health Considerations
Traffic has changed since COVID-19 stay-at-home orders have been in place and may have long term impacts on how people get to where they are going. Looking at the streets at more than just a place to move cars, Dr. Thomas Götschi will how we might learn from this experience to think about the future of our streets with regard to human-powered (active) transportation. As a trained epidemiologist, Dr. Götschi brings a international perspective to the role of humans, mobility, and health.
Thomas Götschi has a research appointment at the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management and works with the Sustainable Cities Initiative and the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement. Most recently, Dr. Götschi, was a senior research fellow at the Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention at the University of Zurich. He holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Southern California. His thesis explored the long-term effects of air pollution on lung function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Since then he has conducted expansive research in the field of active transportation, bridging aspects of health, safety, and travel behavior. He is a core developer of WHO’s Health Economic Assessment Tool for walking and bicycling and a specialist in health impact assessments related to transportation.
Small Group Breakout sessions will be part of this zoom program. Please plan to participate with our camera and audio on as you discussion regional priorities that will be considered by the SFVCOG committees and board. Fernando Valley.
Please register to join us for this unique virtual workshop by signing up at this link.
Mobility Workshop 2020 – Part II
SFVCOG Mobility Workshop Part II – Program & Agenda
Recording from July 30th’s Panel, including Q&A.
On July 30, 2020, join the SFVCOG for Part II of its annual Mobility Workshop – online! From 10am to 12pm, this worshop session will take the input from Part 1 and provide new insights from a panel of experts related to transportation equity in the COG region. Then, attendees will work together in small groups to further refine the priorities with this additional perspective and insight. Register now here.
Priorities from Part 1’s Small Group Discussions
2020 Priorities (adopted January 2020)
Our Panelists:
KeAndra Cylear Dodds (Moderator) serves as LA Metro Executive Officer, Equity and Race. KeAndra has over a decade of progressive experience, at all levels of government, developing and enforcing housing, land use and transportation policy and supporting equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. She has also led inter-agency work groups and diverse community coalitions in the advancement of equitable policy. Most recently, she served as the Manager, Preservation and Home Ownership Programs at the Los Angeles County Development Authority where she facilitated the development of several county tenant protection initiatives and contributed to the development of anti-discrimination and anti-displacement policies and programs. She has been actively involved in many important county initiatives, including Measure M, Measure H, Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities policy and Metro’s Equity Platform.
Rafael de la Rosa is assistant vice president for government and community relations at California State University, Northridge. In this capacity, he promotes and advances CSUN priorities by working with elected officials, state leaders, coalition partners, and community stakeholders. Prior to working at CSUN, De La Rosa was the Director of Government Relations for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Working closely with elected officials, member companies and interest groups he helped align the goals of the Leadership Group by facilitating forums, roundtable discussions and advocacy trips to Sacramento and Washington DC. Before joining the Leadership Group, De La Rosa was Legislative Director to Assemblymember Matthew Dababneh (AD-45), Chairman of the Banking and Finance Committee for the California State Assembly. He served as lead staffer overseeing issues relating to the financial services sector as well as business and consumer protection concerns. Lastly, he worked as a Legislative Assistant on Capitol Hill for Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-30) who is a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee. De La Rosa earned an associate’s degree in 2007 from Ventura Community College, and bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from UCLA in 2010. De La Rosa was born and raised in Ventura, California. De La Rosa serves on the Northridge East Neighborhood Council and is a board member of the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Todd McIntyre leads planning, government and community relations, sustainability initiatives and railroad services. McIntyre brings a breadth of experience to the position having been Chief of Staff of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in Washington, D.C. and at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), where he managed oversight for more than $4 billion in freight and passenger rail capital programs around the U.S. including the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor. McIntyre earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College and a Master of Planning Degree from the USC. He is a recipient of the FRA Administration Award for Excellence in 2016 and the Secretary of Transportation Award for Excellence in 2013 and 2015.
Andres Ramirez is Policy Director at Pacoima Beautiful, an environmental justice organization based in the Northeast San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. He has over 12 years of experience advocating for Equity in Black Indigenous Communities of Color through community organizing and policy advocacy. Andres brings diverse policy expertise and a keen understanding of strengths and needs of BIPOC. He currently serves in the CPUC/CEC Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group, SOMAH Advisory Council, and Metro’s Policy Advisory Council.
Stephanie Ramirez is a Los Angeles native with extensive experience in public policy, community outreach, government relations, and civic engagement. As Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP California, she is responsible for driving the organization’s social mission, including fighting for issues that matter most to Californians 50+ and their families. Prior to joining AARP, Stephanie worked at the Southwest Voter Registration Project and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Most recently, she was Director of Constituency Services at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. In her role, Stephanie was leading the development and implementation of NALEO’s health policy programs, and advancing the governance and policymaking success of Latino policymakers across the country. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Riverside with a double major in Latin American Studies and Political Science-International Affairs.
Be a part of this important conversation on the future of mobility in the post-pandemic world. Register now here.
Thanks to our sponsors for making this virtual workshop possible:
Mobility Workshop 2020 – Part I
Mobility Workshop Part 1 Highlights
Posted July 1, 2020
On June 30, 2020, representatives from the San Fernando Valley COG region met via Zoom teleconference to start the process to set mobility priorities for the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments (SFVCOG) for 2021 and beyond. This annual process has been held in person for years, and this iteration required some changes due to the COVID19 pandemic both in form and content.
The session was kicked off by SFVCOG chair, Mayor Joel Fajardo of the City of San Fernando who welcomed attendees and emphasized the value of participation in shaping the priorities as we understand the impacts of the pandemic in the near and long term. He was then followed by 4 speakers sharing their unique perspectives to inform the attendees on what could be expected and why some endeavors and priorities are worth pursuing in this time over others.
The informative panel sessions started with University of Tennessee economist Dr. Marianne Wanamaker in her presentation, The Future of Work in a Post Pandemic World, wherein she talked about trends for how and where people will work in a post pandemic world. What work will look like in the future is still anyone’s guess, as living in close proximity to others becomes less attractive and less dense cities may lure a new generation of remote workers through incentives. Lower income and less skilled workers may be most disadvantaged in changing work environments. SLIDES
Hilary Norton, California Transportation Commission (Acting) Chair, described the potential for staggered work and commuting times as businesses strive to observe new social distancing standards in her remarks, Flattening the Rush Hour Curve. To ensure public distancing on transit and reduce gridlock, we need to look for new ways to travel “off peak”. Stay at home orders during the pandemic have shed light on how telework may impact the future of commuting. SLIDES
Thomas Götschi, researcher at the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management, shared concepts of active transportation and the importance of safety while getting around without a personal vehicle. As residents have sheltered in place, Los Angeles has seen an increase in bicycle usage since the pandemic began suggesting that cyclists feel safer on less busy roads. Some temporary changes in street use for pedestrian uses show the “new normal” can include active transportation concepts. SLIDES
Finally, L.A. Metro CEO Phil Washington offered a keynote of insights about the broader transportation climate that will become a part of post-pandemic life. As Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force, he is working to advance best practices and support an industry that is in crisis on many levels: increasing demand with limiting restrictions, revenue declines (exceeding $1.8Billion of two years for Metro alone), and existing priority issues that still require attention.
Following their presentations, each presenter spoke, they generously took questions from participants. After the speakers, attendees broke into groups to dig into the topics presented and set mobility priorities for the SFVCOG answering two basic questions: what should the new priorities be and how can you help advance them. The results of those small group discussions can be found here and will be used as a reference point for the workshop’s second part on July 30th at 10am when we reconvene and look at the priorities set today through an equity lens. You can register for that here.
* * * * *
Download the program, agenda, and links here:
SFVCOG Mobility Workshop Program & Agenda – Updated
“In a post-pandemic world, what will transportation look like for the SFVCOG region?”
The San Fernando Valley Council of Governments will explore this question to understand mobility and determine priorities in our region in these dynamic times.
Join us on June 30, 2020, from 8:45am to 12:00pm to gain insights from our expert speakers from across the US and provide direct feedback for future mobility investments and priorities in the SFVCOG region.
The SFVCOG has invited leading national experts in mobility to examine the impacts COVID-19 will have on the future of mobility. The speakers will provide an overview of national trends in mobility and a big picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead. All attendees are invited to contribute through small breakout sessions to provide feedback on the SFVCOG’s transportation priorities.
Speakers:
Phil Washington: Transportation Priorities in the time of Pandemic
In a post-pandemic world, what will transportation look like nationally and locally? Will we see a continuation of telecommuting? Will public health worries reduce transit ridership? What other modes of transportation will become more or less appealing? What are the trends we haven’t even considered? And, how do we leverage this time of change? Phil Washington will address these questions and share the impacts on future projects the funding for LA County.He was appointed in April to chair the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force focused on the industry’s recovery with an eye toward rethinking mobility as we know it.
Mr. Washington has served as CEO of LA County Metro since 2015, where he manages a balanced budget in excess of $7 billion, is responsible for overseeing between $18-$20 billion in capital projects and provides oversight of an agency with 11,000 employees that transports 1.2 million boarding passengers daily on a fleet of 2,200 clean-air buses and six rail lines. Metro is the lead transportation planning, programming and financing agency for LA County. As such, it is a major construction agency that oversees bus, rail, highway and other mobility-related infrastructure projects – together representing the largest modern public works program in North America. Washington is also engaged and partnering in all facets of transportation and infrastructure in LA County including aviation, goods movement, freight/railroads, water, public works, housing and transit-oriented communities (TOCs). He is also a past chair of APTA and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board and the Eno Center for Transportation.
Dr. Marianne Wanamaker: The Future of Work in a Post Pandemic World
As physical distancing requirements begin to roll back, what will it mean for workers? Will remote working become more typical? Dr. Wanamaker, leading scholar in labor economics, will share her best prognostications on what it will mean to spend a day at work and its impact on where we live, how we travel, and what that means for the future of our regional workforce.
Dr. Wanamaker is an associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee, a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a research fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA). She serves as co-editor of Explorations in Economic History and is the former chief domestic economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors, where she also served as the senior labor economist. She is a member of the Federal Workforce Policy Advisory Board. (Discussion here.)
Hilary Norton: Flattening the Rush Hour Curve
As some measure of physical distancing continues, will work schedules become more flexible to put fewer workers in once place? California Transportation Commission Vice-Chair Hilary Norton explores the short and long term impacts of a changing work environment on commuting and transportation.
Ms. Norton has over 28 years of experience in transportation and community development, currently serving as FAST’s founding Executive Director (since 2008) and Vice Chair (governor’s appointee) of the California Transportation Commission. Ms. Norton has mobilized a diverse coalition of business, labor, civic groups, educational institutions and transit organizations to support policy and infrastructure improvements to LA’s mobility, livability and economic prosperity. Through FASTLinkDTLA,– a new Transportation Management Organization (TMO) for Downtown LA, she oversees one of the first-ever in LA County micro-transit systems which connects travelers through the flexLA multi-mobility app, and connecting new on-demand wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV), transit, vanpools, carpools, scooters, bike share, biking and walking.
Ms. Norton co-chairs the Transportation Committees for BizFed, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Los Angeles Business Council.
Thomas Götschi: Active Transportation and New Public Health Considerations
Traffic has changed since COVID-19 stay-at-home orders have been in place and may have long term impacts on how people get to where they are going. Looking at the streets at more than just a place to move cars, Dr. Thomas Götschi will how we might learn from this experience to think about the future of our streets with regard to human-powered (active) transportation. As a trained epidemiologist, Dr. Götschi brings a international perspective to the role of humans, mobility, and health.
Thomas Götschi has a research appointment at the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management and works with the Sustainable Cities Initiative and the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement. Most recently, Dr. Götschi, was a senior research fellow at the Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention at the University of Zurich. He holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Southern California. His thesis explored the long-term effects of air pollution on lung function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Since then he has conducted expansive research in the field of active transportation, bridging aspects of health, safety, and travel behavior. He is a core developer of WHO’s Health Economic Assessment Tool for walking and bicycling and a specialist in health impact assessments related to transportation.
Small Group Breakout sessions will be part of this zoom program. Please plan to participate with our camera and audio on as you discussion regional priorities that will be considered by the SFVCOG committees and board. Fernando Valley.
Please register to join us for this unique virtual workshop by signing up at this link.
Mobility Workshop 2020 – Part II
SFVCOG Mobility Workshop Part II – Program & Agenda
Recording from July 30th’s Panel, including Q&A.
On July 30, 2020, join the SFVCOG for Part II of its annual Mobility Workshop – online! From 10am to 12pm, this worshop session will take the input from Part 1 and provide new insights from a panel of experts related to transportation equity in the COG region. Then, attendees will work together in small groups to further refine the priorities with this additional perspective and insight. Register now here.
Priorities from Part 1’s Small Group Discussions
2020 Priorities (adopted January 2020)
Our Panelists:
KeAndra Cylear Dodds (Moderator) serves as LA Metro Executive Officer, Equity and Race. KeAndra has over a decade of progressive experience, at all levels of government, developing and enforcing housing, land use and transportation policy and supporting equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. She has also led inter-agency work groups and diverse community coalitions in the advancement of equitable policy. Most recently, she served as the Manager, Preservation and Home Ownership Programs at the Los Angeles County Development Authority where she facilitated the development of several county tenant protection initiatives and contributed to the development of anti-discrimination and anti-displacement policies and programs. She has been actively involved in many important county initiatives, including Measure M, Measure H, Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities policy and Metro’s Equity Platform.
Rafael de la Rosa is assistant vice president for government and community relations at California State University, Northridge. In this capacity, he promotes and advances CSUN priorities by working with elected officials, state leaders, coalition partners, and community stakeholders. Prior to working at CSUN, De La Rosa was the Director of Government Relations for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Working closely with elected officials, member companies and interest groups he helped align the goals of the Leadership Group by facilitating forums, roundtable discussions and advocacy trips to Sacramento and Washington DC. Before joining the Leadership Group, De La Rosa was Legislative Director to Assemblymember Matthew Dababneh (AD-45), Chairman of the Banking and Finance Committee for the California State Assembly. He served as lead staffer overseeing issues relating to the financial services sector as well as business and consumer protection concerns. Lastly, he worked as a Legislative Assistant on Capitol Hill for Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-30) who is a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee. De La Rosa earned an associate’s degree in 2007 from Ventura Community College, and bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from UCLA in 2010. De La Rosa was born and raised in Ventura, California. De La Rosa serves on the Northridge East Neighborhood Council and is a board member of the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Todd McIntyre leads planning, government and community relations, sustainability initiatives and railroad services. McIntyre brings a breadth of experience to the position having been Chief of Staff of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in Washington, D.C. and at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), where he managed oversight for more than $4 billion in freight and passenger rail capital programs around the U.S. including the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor. McIntyre earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College and a Master of Planning Degree from the USC. He is a recipient of the FRA Administration Award for Excellence in 2016 and the Secretary of Transportation Award for Excellence in 2013 and 2015.
Andres Ramirez is Policy Director at Pacoima Beautiful, an environmental justice organization based in the Northeast San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. He has over 12 years of experience advocating for Equity in Black Indigenous Communities of Color through community organizing and policy advocacy. Andres brings diverse policy expertise and a keen understanding of strengths and needs of BIPOC. He currently serves in the CPUC/CEC Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group, SOMAH Advisory Council, and Metro’s Policy Advisory Council.
Stephanie Ramirez is a Los Angeles native with extensive experience in public policy, community outreach, government relations, and civic engagement. As Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP California, she is responsible for driving the organization’s social mission, including fighting for issues that matter most to Californians 50+ and their families. Prior to joining AARP, Stephanie worked at the Southwest Voter Registration Project and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Most recently, she was Director of Constituency Services at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. In her role, Stephanie was leading the development and implementation of NALEO’s health policy programs, and advancing the governance and policymaking success of Latino policymakers across the country. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Riverside with a double major in Latin American Studies and Political Science-International Affairs.
Be a part of this important conversation on the future of mobility in the post-pandemic world. Register now here.
Thanks to our sponsors for making this virtual workshop possible:
Mobility Workshop 2020 – Part I
Mobility Workshop Part 1 Highlights
Posted July 1, 2020
On June 30, 2020, representatives from the San Fernando Valley COG region met via Zoom teleconference to start the process to set mobility priorities for the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments (SFVCOG) for 2021 and beyond. This annual process has been held in person for years, and this iteration required some changes due to the COVID19 pandemic both in form and content.
The session was kicked off by SFVCOG chair, Mayor Joel Fajardo of the City of San Fernando who welcomed attendees and emphasized the value of participation in shaping the priorities as we understand the impacts of the pandemic in the near and long term. He was then followed by 4 speakers sharing their unique perspectives to inform the attendees on what could be expected and why some endeavors and priorities are worth pursuing in this time over others.
The informative panel sessions started with University of Tennessee economist Dr. Marianne Wanamaker in her presentation, The Future of Work in a Post Pandemic World, wherein she talked about trends for how and where people will work in a post pandemic world. What work will look like in the future is still anyone’s guess, as living in close proximity to others becomes less attractive and less dense cities may lure a new generation of remote workers through incentives. Lower income and less skilled workers may be most disadvantaged in changing work environments. SLIDES
Hilary Norton, California Transportation Commission (Acting) Chair, described the potential for staggered work and commuting times as businesses strive to observe new social distancing standards in her remarks, Flattening the Rush Hour Curve. To ensure public distancing on transit and reduce gridlock, we need to look for new ways to travel “off peak”. Stay at home orders during the pandemic have shed light on how telework may impact the future of commuting. SLIDES
Thomas Götschi, researcher at the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management, shared concepts of active transportation and the importance of safety while getting around without a personal vehicle. As residents have sheltered in place, Los Angeles has seen an increase in bicycle usage since the pandemic began suggesting that cyclists feel safer on less busy roads. Some temporary changes in street use for pedestrian uses show the “new normal” can include active transportation concepts. SLIDES
Finally, L.A. Metro CEO Phil Washington offered a keynote of insights about the broader transportation climate that will become a part of post-pandemic life. As Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force, he is working to advance best practices and support an industry that is in crisis on many levels: increasing demand with limiting restrictions, revenue declines (exceeding $1.8Billion of two years for Metro alone), and existing priority issues that still require attention.
Following their presentations, each presenter spoke, they generously took questions from participants. After the speakers, attendees broke into groups to dig into the topics presented and set mobility priorities for the SFVCOG answering two basic questions: what should the new priorities be and how can you help advance them. The results of those small group discussions can be found here and will be used as a reference point for the workshop’s second part on July 30th at 10am when we reconvene and look at the priorities set today through an equity lens. You can register for that here.
* * * * *
Download the program, agenda, and links here:
SFVCOG Mobility Workshop Program & Agenda – Updated
“In a post-pandemic world, what will transportation look like for the SFVCOG region?”
The San Fernando Valley Council of Governments will explore this question to understand mobility and determine priorities in our region in these dynamic times.
Join us on June 30, 2020, from 8:45am to 12:00pm to gain insights from our expert speakers from across the US and provide direct feedback for future mobility investments and priorities in the SFVCOG region.
The SFVCOG has invited leading national experts in mobility to examine the impacts COVID-19 will have on the future of mobility. The speakers will provide an overview of national trends in mobility and a big picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead. All attendees are invited to contribute through small breakout sessions to provide feedback on the SFVCOG’s transportation priorities.
Speakers:
Phil Washington: Transportation Priorities in the time of Pandemic
In a post-pandemic world, what will transportation look like nationally and locally? Will we see a continuation of telecommuting? Will public health worries reduce transit ridership? What other modes of transportation will become more or less appealing? What are the trends we haven’t even considered? And, how do we leverage this time of change? Phil Washington will address these questions and share the impacts on future projects the funding for LA County.He was appointed in April to chair the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force focused on the industry’s recovery with an eye toward rethinking mobility as we know it.
Mr. Washington has served as CEO of LA County Metro since 2015, where he manages a balanced budget in excess of $7 billion, is responsible for overseeing between $18-$20 billion in capital projects and provides oversight of an agency with 11,000 employees that transports 1.2 million boarding passengers daily on a fleet of 2,200 clean-air buses and six rail lines. Metro is the lead transportation planning, programming and financing agency for LA County. As such, it is a major construction agency that oversees bus, rail, highway and other mobility-related infrastructure projects – together representing the largest modern public works program in North America. Washington is also engaged and partnering in all facets of transportation and infrastructure in LA County including aviation, goods movement, freight/railroads, water, public works, housing and transit-oriented communities (TOCs). He is also a past chair of APTA and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Transportation Research Board and the Eno Center for Transportation.
Dr. Marianne Wanamaker: The Future of Work in a Post Pandemic World
As physical distancing requirements begin to roll back, what will it mean for workers? Will remote working become more typical? Dr. Wanamaker, leading scholar in labor economics, will share her best prognostications on what it will mean to spend a day at work and its impact on where we live, how we travel, and what that means for the future of our regional workforce.
Dr. Wanamaker is an associate professor of economics at the University of Tennessee, a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and a research fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA). She serves as co-editor of Explorations in Economic History and is the former chief domestic economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors, where she also served as the senior labor economist. She is a member of the Federal Workforce Policy Advisory Board. (Discussion here.)
Hilary Norton: Flattening the Rush Hour Curve
As some measure of physical distancing continues, will work schedules become more flexible to put fewer workers in once place? California Transportation Commission Vice-Chair Hilary Norton explores the short and long term impacts of a changing work environment on commuting and transportation.
Ms. Norton has over 28 years of experience in transportation and community development, currently serving as FAST’s founding Executive Director (since 2008) and Vice Chair (governor’s appointee) of the California Transportation Commission. Ms. Norton has mobilized a diverse coalition of business, labor, civic groups, educational institutions and transit organizations to support policy and infrastructure improvements to LA’s mobility, livability and economic prosperity. Through FASTLinkDTLA,– a new Transportation Management Organization (TMO) for Downtown LA, she oversees one of the first-ever in LA County micro-transit systems which connects travelers through the flexLA multi-mobility app, and connecting new on-demand wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV), transit, vanpools, carpools, scooters, bike share, biking and walking.
Ms. Norton co-chairs the Transportation Committees for BizFed, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Los Angeles Business Council.
Thomas Götschi: Active Transportation and New Public Health Considerations
Traffic has changed since COVID-19 stay-at-home orders have been in place and may have long term impacts on how people get to where they are going. Looking at the streets at more than just a place to move cars, Dr. Thomas Götschi will how we might learn from this experience to think about the future of our streets with regard to human-powered (active) transportation. As a trained epidemiologist, Dr. Götschi brings a international perspective to the role of humans, mobility, and health.
Thomas Götschi has a research appointment at the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy and Management and works with the Sustainable Cities Initiative and the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement. Most recently, Dr. Götschi, was a senior research fellow at the Institute of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention at the University of Zurich. He holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Southern California. His thesis explored the long-term effects of air pollution on lung function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Since then he has conducted expansive research in the field of active transportation, bridging aspects of health, safety, and travel behavior. He is a core developer of WHO’s Health Economic Assessment Tool for walking and bicycling and a specialist in health impact assessments related to transportation.
Small Group Breakout sessions will be part of this zoom program. Please plan to participate with our camera and audio on as you discussion regional priorities that will be considered by the SFVCOG committees and board. Fernando Valley.
Please register to join us for this unique virtual workshop by signing up at this link.
Mobility Workshop 2020 – Part II
SFVCOG Mobility Workshop Part II – Program & Agenda
Recording from July 30th’s Panel, including Q&A.
On July 30, 2020, join the SFVCOG for Part II of its annual Mobility Workshop – online! From 10am to 12pm, this worshop session will take the input from Part 1 and provide new insights from a panel of experts related to transportation equity in the COG region. Then, attendees will work together in small groups to further refine the priorities with this additional perspective and insight. Register now here.
Priorities from Part 1’s Small Group Discussions
2020 Priorities (adopted January 2020)
Our Panelists:
KeAndra Cylear Dodds (Moderator) serves as LA Metro Executive Officer, Equity and Race. KeAndra has over a decade of progressive experience, at all levels of government, developing and enforcing housing, land use and transportation policy and supporting equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. She has also led inter-agency work groups and diverse community coalitions in the advancement of equitable policy. Most recently, she served as the Manager, Preservation and Home Ownership Programs at the Los Angeles County Development Authority where she facilitated the development of several county tenant protection initiatives and contributed to the development of anti-discrimination and anti-displacement policies and programs. She has been actively involved in many important county initiatives, including Measure M, Measure H, Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities policy and Metro’s Equity Platform.
Rafael de la Rosa is assistant vice president for government and community relations at California State University, Northridge. In this capacity, he promotes and advances CSUN priorities by working with elected officials, state leaders, coalition partners, and community stakeholders. Prior to working at CSUN, De La Rosa was the Director of Government Relations for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Working closely with elected officials, member companies and interest groups he helped align the goals of the Leadership Group by facilitating forums, roundtable discussions and advocacy trips to Sacramento and Washington DC. Before joining the Leadership Group, De La Rosa was Legislative Director to Assemblymember Matthew Dababneh (AD-45), Chairman of the Banking and Finance Committee for the California State Assembly. He served as lead staffer overseeing issues relating to the financial services sector as well as business and consumer protection concerns. Lastly, he worked as a Legislative Assistant on Capitol Hill for Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-30) who is a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee. De La Rosa earned an associate’s degree in 2007 from Ventura Community College, and bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from UCLA in 2010. De La Rosa was born and raised in Ventura, California. De La Rosa serves on the Northridge East Neighborhood Council and is a board member of the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Todd McIntyre leads planning, government and community relations, sustainability initiatives and railroad services. McIntyre brings a breadth of experience to the position having been Chief of Staff of the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in Washington, D.C. and at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), where he managed oversight for more than $4 billion in freight and passenger rail capital programs around the U.S. including the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor. McIntyre earned a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College and a Master of Planning Degree from the USC. He is a recipient of the FRA Administration Award for Excellence in 2016 and the Secretary of Transportation Award for Excellence in 2013 and 2015.
Andres Ramirez is Policy Director at Pacoima Beautiful, an environmental justice organization based in the Northeast San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. He has over 12 years of experience advocating for Equity in Black Indigenous Communities of Color through community organizing and policy advocacy. Andres brings diverse policy expertise and a keen understanding of strengths and needs of BIPOC. He currently serves in the CPUC/CEC Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group, SOMAH Advisory Council, and Metro’s Policy Advisory Council.
Stephanie Ramirez is a Los Angeles native with extensive experience in public policy, community outreach, government relations, and civic engagement. As Associate State Director of Advocacy for AARP California, she is responsible for driving the organization’s social mission, including fighting for issues that matter most to Californians 50+ and their families. Prior to joining AARP, Stephanie worked at the Southwest Voter Registration Project and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Most recently, she was Director of Constituency Services at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. In her role, Stephanie was leading the development and implementation of NALEO’s health policy programs, and advancing the governance and policymaking success of Latino policymakers across the country. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Riverside with a double major in Latin American Studies and Political Science-International Affairs.
Be a part of this important conversation on the future of mobility in the post-pandemic world. Register now here.
Thanks to our sponsors for making this virtual workshop possible: