Call for Papers: ITS America 25th Annual Meeting & Exposition

December 9, 2014 at 6:20 pm

Steps and Instructions: 

  1. Technical Papers

    Papers should address technical subjects as well as the institutional, policy, business and economic aspects of ITS. All papers must be original and report on recent, significant and substantive achievements. All papers must relate to one of the eight main topics provided.

    Papers must be submitted as final, be at least six pages and no longer than 12 pages single spaced. Technical papers will be reviewed by a peer panel that will look for quality, relevance, and significance of the findings.

  2. Guidelines for Paper Submission

    • The deadline for submitting papers is Friday, February 6, 2015. Papers will not be accepted after this date. This deadline will not be extended.
    • Submitted papers must be in final form and follow the formatting instructions outlined here.
    • Papers must be submitted as final, be at least six pages and no longer than 12 pages single spaced.
    • Graphics are encouraged to enhance the presentation of the technical material.
    • Authors may submit up to three papers.
    • Papers may have up to five listed authors. Please note only the presenting author will be listed in the 2015 ITS America Annual Meeting and Exposition Final Program.
    • To help organize the technical sessions, please accurately specify the topic area that best describes the subject of your paper.
    • Upon submission, the primary author will receive a confirmation email.
    • If a paper is accepted, the primary author will be informed by mid-March 2015.
    • If the paper is conditionally accepted, the author must make sufficient changes to the paper, suggested by the reviewer, and resubmit the revised paper through the online portal by April 3, 2015.
    • Papers of a predominantly commercial nature will not be selected for presentation.
    • Presenting Authors must be registered for the 2015 ITS America Annual Meeting and Exposition by April 24, 2015 or their paper will be withdrawn from the program.
    • Please note that English is the official language of ITS America’s Annual Meetings. Papers not submitted in English will be automatically rejected.

    For more detailed information on submissions, see the Call For Papers brochure.

    For complete 25th Annual Meeting Paper Formatting Instructions, see
    Formatting Instructions.

  3. Technical Support

For help in submitting an abstract online, Contact technical support.

TECHNICAL PAPERS

Deadline for New Submissions: Friday, February 6, 2015

Want to understand the nexus between oil prices and geopolitics? This should help

December 3, 2014 at 6:42 pm

via CNN

With plunging oil prices, the consumers are clearly thrilled but the oil producers, particularly OPEC, not so much.  This video below and the image, courtesy of CNN, clearly explains the gigantic complexities that impacts the price of oil. With $2/gallon already in some parts of the US, the current geopolitical scene will get even more volatile in the months ahead.

Image courtesy: CNN Money

Job Alert: President and CEO – ITS America @ Washington, DC

December 3, 2014 at 12:14 pm

ASSOCIATION BACKGROUND

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to advancing the research, development and deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to improve the nation’s surface transportation network. ITS America was formed to provide a unified voice with respect to the development and deployment of new technology from the perspective of all potentially affected parties, including industry, government, academia and other association partners. ITS America represents the experience, perspective, and interest of both the public and private sectors.

ITS America’s members include federal, state, local government agencies; national and international companies involved in the development of intelligent transportation systems; universities and independent research organizations; certain national associations, and others. The Society has 27 state and multi-state chapters representing more than 40 states.

The Society’s $5+ million dollar budget is supported primarily through dues, fees derived from meetings, including a triennial World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, technical contracts with the U.S. Department of Transportation and others.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

ITS America Board of Directors

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The President and CEO provides leadership for ITS America. S/he directly oversees the management of a $5+ million budget and 30 staff in Washington, D.C. S/he serves as an ex officio member of the ITS America Board of Directors and on the ITS World Congress Board of Directors. S/he is responsible for translating the mission of the organization into specific goals and expectations relative to market development, research, education, and government affairs activities. S/he also serves as the lead spokesperson for ITS America before current and prospective members, government leaders, key business partners and stakeholders, media, other associations, and the general public.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

The President and CEO exercise’s responsibility for the overall strategic direction, coordination, and execution of society programs. S/he may delegate portions of these responsibilities consistent with sound management principles and authorized policies and procedures, together with proportionate authority for their fulfillment; but may not delegate or relinquish accountability for the results. The specific responsibilities of the president are:

  • Serves as the liaison between the Board and ITS America staff.
  • Participate in policy formulation actions undertaken by the Board of Directors; Identifies strategic gaps and provides input; interprets major policies and objectives for officers and key executives; recommends courses of action; and establishes operating policies and standards within the general framework established by the Board.
  • Ensure that the ITS America Board of Directors and the Executive Committee are kept timely informed about the operations of ITS America.
  • Directs the enforcement of the Association Bylaws and the execution of all resolutions of the membership, the Board, and the Executive Committee.
  • Directs the development of the strategic plan, budgets, programs, and campaigns required to achieve the objectives of the Society.
  • Presents recommended annual operating work programs for approval by the Board of Directors.
  • Administers the financial affairs of the Society within applicable Board policies, budgets, and accounting controls to ensure the overall fiscal health of ITS America.
  • Builds effective relationships with individuals and organizations with shared interests. Identifies and engages partners, building alliances that advance ITS America’s mission and efforts to promote, conduct research, and provide educational opportunities.
  • Serves as a spokesperson for ITS America and the industry before a wide variety of government leaders, the media and related organizations.
  • Develop, recruit and retain a high quality staff.
  • Work to optimize the effectiveness of the relationship with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy and other appropriate agencies.
  • Provide a forum and environment for the public and private sectors to meet to examine, discuss and resolve complex ITS issues.
  • Work closely with the ITS America Leadership Circle as well as any other forums organized at the Society to benefit the organization and its members.
  • Provide leadership for ITS America’s participation in international programs and activities.
  • Provide and active membership development and retention program.

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

The president maintains constant contact with the volunteer leadership of ITS America and:

  • Maintain contact with appropriate regulatory and legislative bodies, associations, public service representatives and organizations to achieve ITS America’s objectives and to enhance the image of the Society.
  • Where appropriate and feasible, seek to jointly develop policies, advice, recommendations and programs on ITS matters in cooperation with interested and affected organizations such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the America Public Transportation Association (APTA), the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), SAE International, the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Association of Global Automakers, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
  • Represent ITS America in activities with its international partners, including ERTICO-ITS Europe and ITS Japan, and other national ITS organizations, to support a successful ITS World Congress and promote international cooperation on standards, research and deployment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The next ITS America President and CEO will be a strategic and innovative leader with a minimum of 10 years’ senior executive-level leadership and management experience with an organization of similar size, scale and complexity either in related sectors, a relevant association or government. The ideal candidate possesses the following experience and attributes:

  • World class leader with a demonstrated track record as a leader in an organization known for innovation; Growth and customer/member service.
  • Senior management experience including strategic planning, financial management, staff leadership, Board relations, market promotion and advocacy.
  • Capable of anticipating and proactively addressing significant industry challenges and opportunities.
  • Proven track record as a principal spokesperson and advocate before all forms of media and at the highest levels of government and business.
  • Must have the intellectual courage to define and defend new ideas in an evolving organization environment and learn about member’s technologies and passionately advocate the Society’s mission internally and externally.
  • A successful track record of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with an active volunteer Board, external partners and stakeholders.
  • A highly recognizable, marquee executive who will bring high credibility to the organization.
  • A history of successful engagement, partnering and alliance building.
  • Experience attracting, developing, motivating and retaining a high performing, team- oriented staff.
  • Ability to manage staff remotely.
  • Experience leading the development and execution of strategies for identifying new value-added services and products and generating sustainable revenue streams.
  • Experience leading a federation of independent chapters is a plus. Effective at leading through persuasion.
  • Excellent interpersonal and team skills for building and fostering key internal and external relationships.
  • Outstanding communication skills, including speaking and presentation skills; an active listener.
  • Familiarity with sectors and issues related to the transportation and technology industry is a strong plus.
  • Has strong presence and judgment. Equally effective at all levels within and outside the organization. Has unquestionable ethics and integrity.
  • Committed to the association, its mission and members, and all the issues that affects their success.
  • Servant leader; diplomatic; politically savvy.
  • Willingness to undertake a robust domestic and international travel schedule.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

Keeps on Point: Can quickly separate the mission-critical from the nice to dos and the trivial; quickly senses what’s the next most useful thing to work on; focuses on the critical few tasks that really add value and puts aside or delays the rest.

Gets Work Done Through Others: Manages people well; gets the most and best out of the people he/she has; sets and communicates guiding goals; measures accomplishments, holds people accountable, and gives useful feedback; delegates and develops; keeps people informed; provides coaching for today and for the future.

Organizationally Savvy: Maneuvers well to get things done; maze bright; knows where to go to get what he/she needs; politically aware and agile; knows the right thing to do; presents views and arguments well.

Communicates Effectively: Writes and presents effectively; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; strongly gets a message across.

Manages Up: is ambitious and is comfortable marketing himself/herself to higher management; knows how to relate effectively with top management.

Relating Skills: warm, friendly, and interpersonally agile; easy to approach and talk to; relates well to all kinds of people; makes a pleasant first impression and builds solid relationships.

Manages Diverse Relationships: Relates well to a wide variety of diverse styles, types, and classes; open to differences; effective up, down, sideways, inside, and outside; builds diverse networks; quick to find common ground; treats differences fairly and equitably; values diversity and treats all people with respect and dignity.

Education: An undergraduate degree is required. An advanced degree is highly desirable.

Compensation: A competitive compensation package will be provided to attract outstanding candidates.

Search by ITS America: Please submit your letter of interest and resume to Human Resources at CEOsearch@itsa.org. pinterest-1f3bb

Training Opportunity: Open for applications – Building Leaders in Urban Transport Planning course

December 1, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Via City Fix Blog

The World Bank and EMBARQ Mexico – in collaboration with TransMilenio S.A. – will host the third annual “Building Leaders in Urban Transport Planning” course, which provides tools for systematic integrated mobility planning, corridor management, public transport planning evaluation alternatives, governance, finance, and public-private partnerships – all of which are key issues facing Latin American cities and cities worldwide. The course will use a hands-on learning approach, making extensive use of case studies, group exercises, and site visits – all aimed at highlighting linkages between the various components of the urban transport system. The deadline to apply to the course is January 9, 2015.

The event is part of the World Bank’s “Leadership in Urban Transport Planning” (LUTP) capacity building series, which develops leadership, awareness, and implementation strategies for urban integrated mobility planning. It is designed specifically for senior level decision makers at the national, provincial or city level – those who have a responsibility for urban transport at the policy making level, rather than a purely technical level. Academics, consultants, and other members of civil society are also encouraged to apply.

The Building Leaders in Urban Transport Planning course will consist of two parts. The period from January 19 to February 21, 2015, will be devoted to self-study, covering topics in land use and transport planning, and incorporating the environmental and social issues of urban transport planning. Participants will then partake in a seven-day hands-on workshop from February 22 to February 28 in Bogotá, Colombia – a city with a track record of leadership in sustainable urban transportand development. Following the workshop, participants will also have the option to partake in a six-month mentoring program to provide advice and guidance as participants work on city-level projects.

In addition to other special guests, #LUTPColombia 2015 will have the following distinguished faculty:

Learn more about the event and apply here.

The event will be conducted in Spanish, and is organized with support from the Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF) and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). Follow updates on the proceedings on social media from @EMBARQMX and#LUTPColombia