Debra Lam
Managing Director for Smart Cities and Innovation Inclusion at Georgia Institute of Technology
Calling all state transportation leaders
The field of transportation has never evolved as quickly and dynamically as it is right now. Automated vehicles, ride-hailing, e-bikes, car sharing and innovations yet to come are transforming the way Americans get around.
These evolutions could radically expand access to opportunity for people of all walks of life—or they can reinforce existing systems of inequality and exclusion. Public policy will play a crucial role in deciding which way our communities go.
These questions will be the focus of Capital Ideas 2018, Transportation for America’s conference for state policymakers to discuss ways to deliver transportation systems that address people’s needs no matter how they travel, and builds economically vibrant communities that can compete for talent.
The theme of this year’s conference is The States’ Role in New Mobility, and the agenda will focus on questions state transportation leaders should consider in the midst of ongoing changes in the transportation marketplace. As in years past, the event will bring together state and local elected officials, policymakers, advocates, chambers of commerce, foundations, universities, think tanks, and industry leaders from across the country under one roof.
Join us on December 5 and 6, 2018 in Atlanta, GA to learn how to make sure transportation innovations create more connected, equitable, and prosperous communities in your state. We look forward to seeing you there.
EVENT SPONSORS
HOST COMMITTEE
PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS
Day one: Wednesday, December 5, 2018
| 8:00 – 8:50 a.m. | Registration Opens & Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Overview of Day Beth Osborne, Transportation for America |
| 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. | Opening keynote: Debra Lam Managing Director for Smart Cities and Innovation Inclusion at Georgia Institute of Technology What changes should transportation agencies consider to make the most of new mobility innovations? |
| 10:00 – 11:15 a.m. | States’ Role in New Mobility The Hon. Stephanie Pollack, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation; The Hon. Polly Trottenberg, Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation; Lilly Shoup, Senior Director of Transportation Policy for Lyft New mobility options like ride hailing and automated vehicles are being tested in cities — but most transportation policy and spending priorities are set at the state level. What role should states play in promoting new mobility services, and how they can best support efforts to test and deploy new technologies in a way that supports vibrant communities and serves people of all incomes? |
| 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. | Cities that are doing it: Automated vehicle pilots Dan Hoffman, Assistant City Manager, City of Gainesville, Florida; and Marcel Porras, Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles DOT As automated vehicles begin to hit the road, hear how two cities are already planning pilot programs. Learn about the structure of the pilots, what their goals are at the outset, and what they’ve learned thus far. |
| 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. | Luncheon keynote: Mayor Sly James Kansas City, Missouri Secure funding, build transit, revitalize your downtown. Hear from one of the nation’s leading cities that made it happen. |
| 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Building a Winning Transportation Funding Initiative The Hon. Kevin Tanner, Georgia House Transportation Committee; The Hon. Charlotte Nash, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chair; Michael Sullivan, President and CEO, ACEC Georgia; Dave Williams, Vice President, Infrastructure & Government Affairs, Metro Atlanta Chamber Capital Ideas 2018 will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, where state leaders have gone all-in on transit funding. Hear from regional representatives, transit agency staff, and the business community about how the region raised over $2 billion for transit expansion in the region and how they continue to build on that success. |
| 3:15 – 4:30 p.m. | Roundtables: Small groups, big questions A chance for attendees to discuss in more detail topics like messaging for transportation funding efforts, measuring the impact of transportation investments, best practices in accommodating nonmotorized transportation, and more. |
| 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Downtown Atlanta Walking Tour Led by Jennifer Ball, Vice President for Planning and Economic Development, Central Atlanta Progress See the Atlanta streetcar, Woodruff Park, protected two-way bike lanes, and learn about the redevelopment occurring downtown. |
| 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Member Reception |
| 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | Opening Night General Reception |
Day two: Thursday, December 6, 2018
| 8:00 – 8:50 a.m. | Registration Opens & Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome and Overview of the Day Beth Osborne, Transportation for America |
| 9:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Ian Munce, Urban Planner, City of Tacoma, Washington; Jenna Hornstock, Executive Officer, Transit Oriented Communities, LA Metro; and Maritza Pechin, Project Manager, City of Richmond, Virginia’s Master Plan, AECOM Transit projects can spur explosive growth and development in the neighborhoods along the line. How can leaders do this work in ways that preserve affordability? See a variety of examples of cities that have preserved affordability in transit-oriented development. |
| 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Measuring Access to Jobs and Necessities Nick Donohue, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Virginia; James Turnwald, Executive Director, Michiana Area Council of Governments; Andrew Gruber, Executive Director, Wasatch Front Regional Council; and Madeline Janis, Executive Director, Jobs to Move America Here at T4A we often say “We measure what we treasure.” This exciting panel will introduce a way to measure the number of jobs and daily necessities that people can reach using a transportation system by car, transit, biking, or walking. Each of the panelists have taken steps to incorporate this new measure into their planning and funding processes. |
| 11:45 – 1:00 p.m. | Luncheon keynote: Rusty Roberts Vice President for Government Affairs, Brightline Learn about the only privately owned, operated, and maintained passenger rail system in the United States and how it could be replicated elsewhere. |
| 1:00 -3:30 p.m. | Cities that have done it: Site tours of Atlanta Conference attendees will choose between a tour of the Atlanta Beltline (a former railway corridor converted into a 22-mile multi-use trail), or ride MARTA to three transit-oriented development sites: Five Points Station, Edgewood-Candler Park Station and Avondale Station. |
| 3:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
Details and confirmed speakers to come. Last modified September 26, 2018.
Keynote speakers
Mayor Sly James
Kansas City, MO
Rusty Roberts
Vice President for Government Affairs, Brightline
Debra Lam is the Managing Director of Smart Cities and Inclusive innovation for Georgia Tech, a newly created role to drive smart cities and urban innovation work across the university and beyond. Prior to this, she served as Pittsburgh’s first ever Chief of Innovation & Performance where she oversaw all technology, sustainability, performance and innovation functions of city government.
Mayor Sly James was sworn in as the 56th Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri on March 22, 2011. Since taking office, he has focused his efforts towards making Kansas City best in four key areas: Education, Employment, Efficiency, and Enforcement. Among his accomplishments as mayor of Kansas City, he has been a champion for the Kansas City Streetcar throughout its planning and construction, and has emphasized that without a strong partnership with the federal government, Kansas City wouldn’t have achieved the level of success that it has seen along the streetcar route. Read more about Kansas City’s transportation successes.
Rusty Roberts is the Vice President for Government Affairs at Brightline, the only privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. Brightline recently announced plans for a new system connecting Southern California to Las Vegas. Roberts will share lessons from the Brightline’s work in Florida, ways they are adapting in California, and tips any state leader should know about making innovative projects like this possible. Read more about the Brightline’s new plans for California.
Panelists and session leaders
The full agenda for Capital Ideas 2018 includes five panel discussions, two walking tours of transportation projects in Atlanta, several small group breakouts. Here’s a look at the full group of panelists and session leaders who will be leading those parts of the program.
Secretary Stephanie Pollack
Secretary of Transportation, State of Massachusetts
Commissioner Polly Trottenberg
New York City Department of Transportation
Lilly Shoup
Senior Director of Transportation Policy, Lyft
Beth Osborne
Director, Transportation for America Technical Assistance
Dan Hoffman
Assistant City Manager, City of Gainesville, Florida
Marcel Porras
Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles DOT
Rep. Kevin Tanner
Chair, Georgia House Transportation Committee
Commissioner Charlotte Nash
Chair, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners
Michael Sullivan
President and CEO, ACEC Georgia
Dave Williams
Vice President of Infrastructure & Government Affairs, Metro Atlanta Chamber
Jennifer Ball
Vice President for Planning and Economic Development, Central Atlanta Progress
Carol Wolfe
Economic Development Supervisor, City of Tacoma, WA
Jenna Hornstock
Executive Officer, Transit Oriented Communities, LA Metro
Maritza Pechin
Project Manager, City of Richmond Master Plan, AECOM
Nick Donohue
Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Virginia
James Turnwald
Executive Director, Michiana Area Council of Governments
Andrew Gruber
Executive Director, Wasatch Front Regional Council
Madeline Janis
Executive Director, Jobs to Move America
Register today to join this group and learn the newest ideas in state transportation policy, hear lessons that other states have learned, and ask questions about how your own state can use this approach.
Registration details
Conference registration is $350.00 per person and includes access to all conference sessions, receptions, networking breakfasts, lunch each day, and walking tours.
T4A Members enjoy $100 off the cost of registration. Members should email Monica Alexander for a registration promo code.
If you are not currently a member but are interested in joining, learn more about the benefits of membership.
Conference location and accommodations
Capital Ideas 2018 will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis (265 Peachtree Center Ave NE) in downtown Atlanta. Rooms at the hotel are available to Capital Ideas attendees at a discounted rate. Make your reservation online or by calling the hotel at (404) 521-0000. When calling, please state that you are attending Transportation for America’s Capital Ideas Conference in order to secure the conference rates.
Become a sponsor
In 2018, Capital Ideas will chart a dynamic agenda and scope state-level solutions in challenge areas related to: automated vehicles, regional approaches to funding, placemaking, public transit network redesigns, capturing the value of better transit service, ballot access, maximizing capacity for a shared mobility future and much more.
This year, Capital Ideas will design its programming and direct its resources to help states make the new agenda a reality.
Why you need to be a sponsor:
- You fully participate in the conference and help moderate discussions.
- You are in the right place at the right time.
- You are working with policymakers and influencers that are shaping and moving an agenda.
- You are a change agent. You are part of the solution and a force for good.
- Your reach is wider and more substantive.
- Participants may see you differently than before.
Download the sponsorship application form (pdf)
Download a one-pager about the benefits of sponsorship (pdf)
For sponsorship inquiries contact: Alicia Orosco, Program Manager – alicia.orosco@t4america.org – (202) 971-3907