Agenda
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Day 1
June 18, 2024
Municipal Insights on Drivers Behind Western Canada’s Municipal Transportation Infrastructure Priorities
Rebecca BlighSecond-term City CouncillorCity of Vancouver
Mike KlassenVancouver City Councillor
Join us for this in-depth and practical panel providing insights on transportation concerns from their constituents and how urban transit infrastructure can contribute to solutions to urban transits funding and long-term planning challenges. Points of discussion will include:
- Examining key municipal priority projects and next steps
- Understanding the importance of a regional approach to urban transit and coordinating across multiple jurisdictions and sectors
- Analyzing ridership trends and outlining opportunities and barriers with current transit infrastructure
Status Report on Calgary Green Line, Vancouver Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project, and other Priority Transit Projects in Western Canada
Georg JosiPartner DIALOG
Bjorn RadstromManager of Transit, Service DevelopmentCity of Winnipeg
Mike BudaExecutive DirectorTransLink
Mayors Council
Chris JordanManager of Transit Service DesignCity of Calgary
Industry, government, and legal authorities will provide project status updates and discuss recent developments in project delivery for major transit projects in Western Canada. They will share insights on collaboration, building partnerships, and best practices in project delivery. This cutting-edge information will help you understanding how the alignment of priorities across sectors can improve transit project delivery.
Projects for discussion include:
- The Calgary Green Line: Update on phase one progress, takeaways and prioritize needs prior to proceeding to phase 2
- The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project: Next steps, best practices, and take aways for other transit projects across Canada
- Updates on other major urban transit projects in Western Canada, including the Broadway Subway Project
Networking Refreshment Break
Transit Projects and Indigenous Reconciliation: Understanding How Partnerships with Indigenous Groups and Effective Consultation Contributes Towards Successful Transit Projects
With the Federal Government prioritizing reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, the need for Indigenous partnerships and consultation on transit projects is increasing. For example, in the City of Vancouver, the Indigenous owned Jericho Lands demonstrates a partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments to advance both rapid transit projects and major development opportunities. Join our panelists for a timely discussion on the benefits of as well as pending requirements for consultation.
- Analyzing the recently approved Jericho Lands Policy Statement and implications for the proposed Millennium Line UBC Extension (UBCx)
- Considering the potential opportunities presented by the Musqueam Indian Band’s University Golf Club land holdings and the potential UBCx rapid transit project
- Devising best practices and understanding legal requirements for indigenous consultation on transit projects
Networking Luncheon
Ridership Trends Analysis for the West – Understanding How the Drivers of Ridership Steer Transit Demand
Alex BostonPresidentBoston Consulting
Terence JohnsonPresidentTransport Action Canada
Urban transit ridership is becoming an increasingly studied area for behavioural science professionals. Through the lens of cognitive thinking, we will consider the motivations and barriers driving ridership are changing the perception of using transit. Learn cutting-edge people management insights from behavioural science experts relative to ridership and urban transit usage.
- Examining new research on the factors influencing transportation choices and the public perspective on how transit can create livable cities
- Evaluating factors influencing the impression of safety and convenience on transit lines
- Learning how to adapt successful people management solutions across differing ridership populations and demographics
- Understanding how the expansion of the tech sector in Vancouver changed population demographics and the appetite for public transportation
Transit Oriented Development and Whole Systems Thinking: Long Range Planning for Western Canadian Transportation Systems
Sabrina HamidullahDirector, Real Estate DevelopmentTransLink
Neil HrushowyDirector, Community Planning at Planning, Design and Sustainability City of Vancouver
Canada, along with other countries, is planning for major policy shifts to address population growth which will undoubtedly impact urban transit infrastructure. This panel will address how urban transit will meet the demands and preferences of a growing and socio-economically diverse population.
- Planning housing and transit hubs together – City of Surrey Case Study
- Analyzing the new BC zoning legislation and implications for transit providers and related sectors, including development levees and rights to lands surrounding transit hubs
- Strategizing the next phase of project infrastructure funding based on population growth and changing socio-economic factors
- Understanding the next steps for integrating transit planning across densifying urban areas
Networking Refreshment Break
Project Financing: Finding Funds for Building Better Western Transit Systems Throughout Inflationary Economic Times
Mike BudaExecutive DirectorTransLink
Mayors Council
Jude CrastaAssociate Director Multilevel Climate ActionSimon Fraser University
Global inflation has increased costs for materials and services are impacting project timelines, organizational capacity, and supply chain management. Urban transit projects in Canada are not immune from these inflation-based global challenges. Join us to brainstorm with urban transit stakeholders on ways to increase funding for transit projects in inflationary economic times.
- Deciphering new trends in transportation funding and the impacts of funding multi-modal transportation systems on streamlining expenses and optimizing government funding
- Gauging the potential for mobility pricing to generate income for transit projects in an inflationary economy
- Evaluating the funding gap between transit ridership and funding potential- explore how government works together and the mobility pricing options available to propel transit systems into the future
Emerging Trends in Transit Procurement and Delivery Models – How to Accelerate the Net-Zero Transition in Canadian Transit Infrastructure Through Efficient Supply Chain Management How to Accelerate the Net-Zero Transition in Canadian Transit Infrastructure Through Efficient Supply Chain Management
Lecia StewartPresidentThe Stewart Group
Ron AitkenProject Director - Capital Line South ExtensionCity of Edmonton
Wendy ItagawaExecutive Director, Pattullo Bridge, Transportation Investment CorporationGovernment of British Columbia
Steve SmallP3 ExecutiveFlatiron Construction
Discuss the emergence of alternative delivery models and what they could offer for major transit projects preparing for procurement. Join us again this year as we reconvene a group of senior transit professionals from both the public and private sectors to revisit the latest trends in procurement and to critically assess how the various delivery models are working – for owners and bidders.
- Discussing the emergence of alternative delivery models and what they could offer for major transit projects preparing for procurement.
- Evaluating the effectiveness emerging trends in transit procurement, such as progressive design-builds
- Exploring market volatility and its impact on procurement progress
Closing Remarks from Co-Chairs
Conference Adjourns to Day 2
Day 2
June 19, 2024
Refreshments and Networking
The Assistant Deputy Ministers Speak! Insights on Government Transportation Infrastructure Priorities
Kevin VolkAssistant Deputy Minister BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Hear from Federal Government of Canada Assistant Deputy Ministers on transit and infrastructure priorities in the Budget 2024 announcement. They will examine the needs of Canadians that are the drivers behind setting these priorities and the role transit plays in delivering solutions.
Focus on Tech Integration
Rapid Bus Transit and High Frequency Buses: A Solution for Densifying Western Cities
Daniel FreemanProject Director BRT Program TransLink
Carol KongActing Manager of Transit Integration & ProjectsCity of Vancouver
David KupermanActing Manager of Bus Priority PlanningTransLink
Integrating Rapid Bus Transit into transit planning and optimizing current infrastructure continue to be key priorities for Western Transit authorities. The Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation recently announced three new priority corridors. O Western Cities continue explore how to integrate more BTR services into their urban transit designs. This panel will examine how BTR can be used in rapidly densifying Western cities.
- Exploring new technologies – Vehicle to Grid – in Western Canada with electric buses
- Analysing the British Columbia pilot project to use EV buses to offset peak power demand
- Planning for the new priority bus corridors announced across Canada’s West coast and managing impacts on dense urban environments
- Traffic Management during construction
- Business impact mitigation etc.
Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial: Lessons Learnt for Western Canadian Cities
Josipa PetrunićPresident and CEOCUTRIC
Networking Refreshment Break
Focus on Tech Integration
Emerging Technologies – How to Propel Western Transit Systems into the Future
Andrew EvansPartnerErnst & Young LLP
Urban Transit is a force for creating living, walkable, and safe communities. Data and technology integration into transit planning is a key next step for propelling our transit systems towards the goal of a regenerative city.
This session will focus on:
- Appreciating how technology can enable you to provide timely and organized interactions with riders and other stakeholders Examining new technologies available to improve bus lines and other transit projects across Canada’s West coast
- Discovering how digital solutions can facilitate timely and organized interactions with transit stakeholders and build organizational capacity by identifying inefficiencies
- Uncovering change management strategies to facilitate rapid integration of new technologies for transit system electrification to urban design processes for infrastructure projects
- Implementing new methods to better communicate with staff and share critical information efficiently between departments in transit operations and related government departments
Networking Luncheon
Focus on Tech Integration
Facilitating Smooth Transitions Between Urban Transit Modalities with Integrated Fare Systems
Dale BracewellManager, Transportation PlanningCity of Vancouver
Eliminating double fares and facilitating smooth transitions for riders traveling through more than one mode of public transit is key to driving loyal ridership in Canadian cities. Our panelists will discuss how integrated fare systems can automate revenue collection, integrate communications systems, and create efficiencies within transit management organizations.
- Understanding the importance of integrating modes of public transportation with ease and convenience through integrated fare systems
- Examining how integrated systems can eliminate double fares and encourage riders to consider all forms of urban transit
- Integrating maps and trip planning software with integrated fare systems to provide a user-friendly interface for planning urban transit destinations by city
- Evaluating how integrated modal systems can close the loop for mass transit systems
Networking Refreshment Break
Keyur ShahDigital Advisory Practice DirectorHDR
By utilizing AI, automation, and data analytics, transportation systems can achieve tangible improvements that lead to better service, reputation, and savings.
AI can be a game-changer but requires a strong data foundation for ultimate success. In this session, we will explore both elements: how to plan for AI-fueled enhancements, and how to build a strong data foundation today to lead to an AI-enhanced future.
- Learning what you need to know about safely integrating AI into transit system planning, including station design and maintenance
- Articulating the risks associated with AI use and creating a check list of key considerations for project managers
- Forecasting saving across transit projects from utilizing AI automation and data analytics
- A Futurist Outlook: Looking at AI and other future trends in technology integration that will radically alter the transportation sector
Focus on Tech Integration
Safety on the Rails: Understanding How Technology is Helping to Design Safer Urban Transit Systems Across Western Canada
Steve BrownDirector of Projects in Engineering ServicesCity of Vancouver
Safety on public transit remains a primary concern for riders in 2024. New technologies help us better monitor and design infrastructure for safety. This panel will explore how the latest technological advancements are helping to achieve the goal of safe and more effective urban transit systems.
- Designing resilient infrastructure for safe accessibility and disaster mitigation
- Understanding the impact of safety concerns on ridership and how technology can improve the perception of safety
- Monitoring technologies available for increasing transit security and outlining what are the responsibilities of transit providers prior to implementing new technologies