2024 Agenda
Flip through our conference brochure and discover what’s new this year.
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Day 1
June 18, 2024
Start the event with an exclusive meet and greet – where you can connect face-to-face with key speakers and fellow attendees. Seize this unique opportunity for early access to our faculty of experts and make meaningful connections before the main event!
Municipal Insights on Drivers Behind Western Canada’s Municipal Transportation Infrastructure Priorities
Sarah Kirby-YungVancouver City Councillor
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
Michael HimmelCommercial ManagerCity of Edmonton
Georg JosiPartner DIALOG
Chris JordanManager of Transit Service DesignCity of Calgary
Jennifer MacLeanAssociate VP Surrey Langley CorridorTransportation Investment Corporation
Industry and government authorities will provide project status updates and discuss recent developments in project delivery for major transit projects in the Western Canada. They will share insights on collaboration, building partnerships, and best procurement practices. This cutting-edge information will help you the opportunities and challenges of successfully delivering large urban transit infrastructure.
Projects for discussion include:
- Updates on the first Progressive Design Built transit project in the West – the Green Line Phase 1 – and on The City’s plans for LRT expansion
- The Surrey Langley SkyTrain: First reflections on the procurement of three separate contracts (Guideway, Stations, Systems) and how the Province envisions the collaboration between the three Project Cos to go forward
- Edmonton: Updates on the first half-year of service on Valley Line Stage 1, construction on Valley Line Stage 2 and the procurement of a Design-Builder for the Capital Line South Extension
Networking Refreshment Break
Networking Luncheon
Exploring New Transportation Governance Initiatives and Integrated Mobility in Western Canadian Cities
Dale BracewellPrincipal, Mobility ForesightSenior Project Director, CRD Transportation Governance
Angela JarvisE-Mobility ManagerCity of Coquitlam
Niklas Z Kviselius, PhDSenior Manager, Innovation Management & New MobilityTransLink
- Understanding how different levels of government and other entities are working together to take on the additional responsibilities of a regional vision for transportation
- Exploring how different modes of urban transit can work together to facilitate increased public transit mobility in cities, with case studies
- Evaluating how the new Transportation Governance Initiative is designed to create more tools to advance regional connectivity and integrated mobility
- Establishing a regional transportation service will integrate transportation functions that are best delivered at a regional scale through a new regional entity
Transit Oriented Development and Whole Systems Thinking: Long Range Planning for Western Canadian Transportation Systems
Andrew EvansPartnerErnst & Young LLP
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
Lecia StewartPresidentThe Stewart Group
Ron AitkenProject Director - Capital Line South ExtensionCity of Edmonton
Wendy ItagawaExecutive Project Director Pattullo Bridge Replacement ProjectTransportation Investment Corporation
Steve SmallP3 ExecutiveFlatiron Construction
David LittlePartnerBennett Jones
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
Complimentary Tour of the Broadway Subway Station Project
Day 2
June 19, 2024
Refreshments and Networking
Transit Projects and the Importance of Indigenous Consultation: Understanding How Partnerships with Indigenous Groups and Effective Consultation Contributes Towards Successful Projects
Tim DicksonPrincipleJFK Law
With the Federal Government prioritizing reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, the need for Indigenous partnerships and consultation on transit projects is increasing. Join us for a timely discussion on the benefits of as well as requirements for consultation. We will learn about best practices and legal requirements for indigenous consultation transferrable to on transit and infrastructure projects.
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 (BTR) 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 for BTR. 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.
- 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.
- Partnering between transit operators and local governments to apply policy, evaluate candidate corridors for BRT and bus priority, and implement bus projects
Networking Refreshment Break
Keynote
Pan-Canadian Electric Bus Demonstration and Integration Trial: Lessons Learnt for Western Canadian Cities
Josipa PetrunićPresident and CEOCUTRIC
Focus on Tech Integration
Emerging Technologies – How to Propel Western Transit Systems into the Future
Cindy Tse, P.Eng., M.A.Sc.Senior Rapid Transit Planning EngineerCity of Vancouver
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
Climate, Affordability and Fiscal Performance: How Transit and Land Use Can Drive Household Carbon and Cost Management and Transit Revenue
Alex BostonPresidentBoston Consulting
Shannon PriceExecutive Director, Integrated Development Branch Ministry of Transportation and InfrastructureGovernment of British Columbia
Kai FraserDirectorTurner & Townsend
Join us for this session about how integrated land use and transit infrastructure planning can advance climate, affordability and fiscal priorities:
- Exploring transformative new initiatives that link transit land and affordable housing
- Understanding the potential for strategic land use to strengthen ridership, revenue and service optimization
- Understanding land use’s strategic role in delivering on transportation sector climate targets and managing household transportation spending
Networking Refreshment Break
Keyur ShahDigital Advisory Practice DirectorHDR
Denis MatrosovDigital Solution SpecialistDigital Gateway
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
Todd LitmanExecutive DirectorVictoria Transport Policy Institute
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 :
- 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.