New TRB Report “Shared Mobility and the Transformation of Public Transit” Looks at Shared Mobility in Seven Cities

August 8, 2016 at 11:24 am

A new TRB report, Shared Mobility and the Transformation of Public Transit examines the relationship of public transportation—including paratransit and demand responsive services—to shared modes, including bikesharing, carsharing, microtransit, and ridesourcing services. The research included participation by seven cities: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC. The report’s conclusion sets out actions that departments, and other local and regional agencies—can take to promote useful cooperation between public and private mobility providers. It also suggests regulatory enhancements, institutional realignments, and forms of public-private engagement that would allow innovation to flourish while still providing mobility as safely, broadly, and equitably as possible (via FHWA)

New TRB report, Shared Mobility and the Transformation of Public Transit

Audio: Interview with the whizkid who led MIT team to first place in the Hyperloop pod competition

February 3, 2016 at 5:00 pm

Fascinating interview and congrats to winning team.  Very exciting to see the young engineers take to building radically new transportation systems/concepts like Hyperloop that will transform the future of mobility/transportation! Graduate student Chris Merian, chief engineer for MIT’s Hyperloop team, speaks with Radio Boston’s Meghna Chakrabarti about the team’s success in the recent Hyperloop contest

“…really cool engineering challenge that we are really passionate about, and seeing our hundreds of hours of work rewarded like that was really, really nice”

 

Hays Outside the Box Competition! Submit your best public transportation idea by Nov. 30; first prize = $10,000

November 16, 2015 at 3:38 pm

THE 2016 HAYS OUTSIDE THE BOX COMPETITION IS OPEN!

The leading public transportation ideas competition
January 9, 2016 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm | Arlington, VA

outside the box_final_V3Click here for competition submissions forms

Register for the Outside the Box Conference

Register for the 2016 Transportation Camp

The Hays Transportation Innovations Conference hosted by George Mason University School of Public Policy (and sponsors), seeks to support innovative and “outside the box” solutions to challenges in transportation.

In the world of transportation and transportation challenges, it is imperative that we foster the development and implementation of new ideas. Instead of offering the same old solutions–turning the proverbial wheel, but not moving forward– we challenge you to think creatively and offer “outside of the box” solutions to complicated transportation policy challenges. So how can you push that wheel forward? How can you effect change?

First prize: $10,000
Second prize: $5,000
Third prize: $2,500

We welcome all thoughtful, innovative and diverse ideas…so inspire us!

3 weeks until Submission deadline. Grand Prize is $10K!! Get proposals in by Nov. 30

Age restriction lifted. Conference Date is evening of Transportation Camp – Sat. Jan. 9th

Cameron_Rian_Hays_300Follow us on Twitter @GMUOutsideBoxtwitter
This competition, a memorial tribute, has been made possible through the generosity of the family of Cameron Rian Hays, an “outside the box” thinking 2011 Master’s graduate of the George Mason University School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs.

Timeline:
October 6, 2015 – Hays Outside the Box Competition opens
November 30, 2015 – Submissions Deadline (midnight)
December 15, 2015 – Top 3 Finalists Selected
January 9, 2016 – The Hays Outside the Box Conference

Job Alert: Senior Associate Transit Planner – Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates @ San Francisco, CA

November 5, 2015 at 11:34 am

Nelson Nygaard is hiring a Senior Associate Transit Planner in our San Francisco office. Please follow this link to apply: http://nelsonnygaard.com/career/senior-associate-transit-planner-san-francisco/

 

Senior Associate Transit Planner – San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

NelsonNygaard Consulting Associates is seeking a highly organized, independent, and motivated member of our senior-level staff for our San Franciso office to support the firm’s nationally recognized transit and multimodal transportation planning practice. This practice emphasizes innovative transportation planning, transit service planning, transit system funding, compliance, and community involvement, often within a wider set of goals such as economic development, health, and reduced dependence on the private automobile. We are seeking an individual with at least eight years of experience and a strong interest in transit planning as well as some background in developing sustainable strategies to improve community accessibility and mobility.

NelsonNygaard offers a dynamic and self-directed work environment that is fast-paced, congenial, and supportive. Our office culture is built upon diversity and creativity. This is your opportunity to work with one of the most innovative groups of planners and engineers in the United States, including highly talented junior and support staff.

Responsibilities

In this position, the successful candidate will be expected to manage and win midsize to large projects and provide guidance to staff. Your projects may be located anywhere throughout the United States, and thus a willingness and desire to travel is essential. You will work closely with NelsonNygaard’s senior and junior staff in the San Francisco office, and also Canadian pharmacy online throughout the country. Our approach is to bring the most appropriate staff together, irrespective of where they are based, as collaboration across offices produces better outcomes and improves all of our skills.

Qualifications and Requirements

The ideal candidate should have a broad range of transportation and urban planning experience, preferably with a focus on transit operations and planning. A candidate should be able to demonstrate expertise in at least five (5) of the following:

  • Short- and long-range transit planning
  • Transit/shuttle service design, planning and operation
  • Transport policy, funding, and governance
  • Fare policy and fare planning
  • Financial planning
  • Data collection and performance assessments
  • Paratransit and demand-responsive services
  • Title VI policy and compliance

Other highly desirable skills include the following:

  • Bus rapid transit/rapid bus
  • Complete streets
  • Corridor plans
  • Specific area plans
  • Light rail, commuter rail, and/or streetcar planning
  • Multimodal/intermodal facility planning
  • Transit station area planning
  • Citywide transportation planning and analysis
  • Campus transportation planning
  • Parking management
  • Bicycle/pedestrian facility planning
  • Street design guidelines
  • Transportation demand management
  • Advanced graphics communications (InDesign, Illustrator, SketchUp, Photoshop)
  • Traffic analysis and modeling (Synchro, VISSIM, TransCAD)

Successful applicants will be expected to:

  • Manage projects within a specified budget and timeframe
  • Work independently to complete significant components of transportation analyses and planning effort
  • Work successfully with clients, members of the public, and project teams
  • Outline and prepare successful proposals and reports
  • Analyze a wide range of transportation data and manage the completion of technical analyses, feasibility studies, and other transportation reports
  • Prepare and give effective presentations
  • Solve multimodal transportation problems
  • Mentor and train junior staff
  • Organize and supervise data collection activities in the office and the field

At a minimum, the candidate should meet the following qualifications:

  • At least eight (8) years of responsible experience in transportation planning, traffic engineering, or a related field.
  • A bachelor’s or advanced degree in urban or transportation planning, or a related planning field. Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and other communication skills, including facilitating public workshops.
  • The ability to manage complex projects on time and on budget.
  • Demonstrate advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
  • Experience in business development a plus, i.e., winning work. If you have public agency experience, grant writing and successful RFP development are applicable skills.

We are looking for someone who can begin immediately

Salary and Benefits

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, carshare and bikeshare membership, pre-tax transit or bicycling benefit, a 401K program, life insurance, and paid time off. Other benefits of the position include a dynamic and self-directed work environment, collaboration with leading planners, and a congenial and supportive office culture. Applicants should include salary requirements in their inquiry.

Event Alert: TransportationCamp NYC 2015

October 8, 2015 at 12:05 pm

Transportation Camp NYC

Do you love transportation? Do you love New York City? TransportationCamp New York City 2015 will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at City College of New York. Following on the success of TransportationCamp East in 2011, Planning Camp NYC in 2013 and TransportationCamps across the country, we’re bringing it back to New York City. TransportationCamp NYC 2015 will continue to foster open conversation and collaboration between all Celexa pills radical changes the near-future promises in transportation.

Venue

TransportationCamp NYC will be held at City College of New York in Shepard Hall (160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, at the intersection of Convent Avenue and W 140th St., close to the 1, A, C, and D trains).

Schedule

  • 8:00 AM – Doors open
  • 9:00 AM – Welcome and Kick-off in the Great Hall
  • 9:45 AM – Keynote addresses in the Great Hall
  • 11:15 AM – First Breakout Session (in classrooms)
  • 12:15 PM – Lunch in the Great Hall
  • 1:15 PM – Second Breakout Session (in classrooms)
  • 2:30 PM – Third Breakout Session (in classrooms)
  • 3:45 PM – Fourth Breakout Session (in classrooms)
  • 5:00 PM – Adjourn to happy hour at The Grange Bar & Eatery, sponsored byYoung Professionals in Transportation

Registration

Registration for TransportationCamp NYC 2015 is now open. Tickets are limited, so get yours now! If you have any questions, reach out at nyc@transportationcamp.org or at@transpocamp. See you November 14, 2015!

 

Click here to learn more.

Job Alert: Transportation Program Manager – Smart Growth America @ Washington, DC

September 9, 2015 at 10:21 pm

Smart Growth America is seeking a Transportation Program Manager to help communities across the country better coordinate land use and transportation policies. This person will deliver technical assistance to state agency staff, work with town and city leaders across the country, and advocate on transportation policy and program issues with members of Congress.

Position description
An ideal Transportation Program Manager will be a technical expert, personal connector, and outstanding project manager. This person will be a transportation engineer by training with an in-depth knowledge of the integration of transportation and land use policy and practice; performance measures; project selection, development, design and delivery standards and procedures within a DOT; and the funding, rules, and policies governing DOT planning, project development, and project delivery. They will also have specific knowledge of Complete Streets, and experience designing and delivering multimodal transportation projects.

Responsibilities
The Transportation Program Manager will be responsible for working with DOTs, MPOs and City or County DOTs and public works on a wide range of land use and transportation issues. That includes helping those agencies to adopt and implement Complete Streets policies and practices; adopt performance measures; and improve return on investment from transportation projects across a number of criteria including economic, health, equity, and environmental measures. This position’s work may also include leading studies, reports, and trainings on these and other topics and policy issues. This person will act as lead on many of these projects, so experience managing staff, budget, and grant timelines is preferred. Additional responsibilities will include:

  • Lead technical assistance for state DOTs, MPOs, and City and County DOTs;
  • Conduct research, develop policy positions, write policy papers, and inform transportation advocacy efforts;
  • Act as lead or team member for technical assistance efforts to local governments, state governments and other SGA technical assistance efforts;
  • Assist on other projects where specific transportation expertise is needed;
  • Manage program staff, budget, and grant deliverables;
  • Help market the transportation program;
  • Conduct limited fundraising; and
  • Speak publicly before elected officials, transportation professionals, and the general public.

Requirements
This position requires a self-starting, detail-oriented engineering professional with excellent writing, oral communication, research, technical, and organizational skills. A successful applicant will also have the following:

  • A degree in civil engineering;
  • A professional engineering license in at least one state;
  • Experience working at a state or local DOT;
  • Basic computer literacy in word processing and Microsoft Excel;
  • The ability to work in teams;
  • The ability to manage their time to accommodate multiple assignments from different project leads; and
  • A dedication to delivering high quality work.

Compensation, location and time frame
Salary commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. Benefits include health insurance, 401(k), and paid vacation and sick time. This position will report to the Transportation Program Director.

How to apply
Please send a resume, cover letter, three references, and two short writing samples (no more than two pages each) to jobs@smartgrowthamerica.org, with “Transportation Program Manager” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted immediately on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employment
Equal opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Smart Growth America. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

Fellowship Alert: Policy Fellow (Transit) – Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) @ Arlington, VA

August 3, 2015 at 5:18 pm

Want a chance to work on some of the most innovative regional transit policy and funding issues? Your analytical and communication skills is needed at the premiere transit organization in Northern Virginia.

As part of its Transit Fellows program, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) seeks a Policy Fellow, full time for a term of six months, renewable for up to a year. This fellowship provides a professional development opportunity for mid-career t

A PRTC OmniRide bus in Arlington, Virginia ope...

A PRTC OmniRide bus in Arlington, Virginia operating the Lake Ridge express route. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ransportation specialists as well as college graduates and graduate students. Successful applicants will gain in-depth knowledge of transit policy and funding issues and will serve a key role in tracking and analyzing federal and state policy including legislation, policy and planning. The Policy Fellow will draft issue briefs, prepare presentations, as well as write policy memorandum, newsletter articles, web content and special reports for the Commission and its stakeholders. Specific activities include: supporting briefings of policy makers on key transit issues, analyzing legislation related to transit and the Commission, participating in the planning and execution of NVTC’s annual briefing of the General Assembly and NVTC Commission Meeting in Richmond in February, and staff support of the Executive Director. The responsibilities will include local travel and some evening commitments.

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • College graduates, graduate students or mid-career professionals
  • Bachelor’s Degree in policy, government, journalism, transportation planning, public administration, economics, policy or related area
  • Demonstrated interest in public transportation or transportation planning and policy development
  • Strong writing and analytical skills
  • Ability to work in a small office/team oriented environment

Duration of the appointment is six months and is a renewable for six months. Priority will be given to applicants who can begin their fellowship quickly.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Fellowships are awarded to professionals with a strong understanding of transportation policy, finance and transportation funding and/or public outreach. Graduate students and mid-career professionals are encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION:

The Fellow will receive compensation consistent with compensation guidelines of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and will be eligible for transit benefits.

HOW TO APPLY:

Send cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample to Colethia Quarles at transitfellows@nvtdc.org. The cover letter should describe the applicant’s objectives in pursuing the fellowship. Please highlight particular skills, knowledge or interests as it relates to a demonstrated interest in the Commission’s work, familiarity with federal or state legislative and policy issues, and experience or knowledge in public outreach. Please note your availability at the top of the cover letter.

Applications can also be mailed to:

Colethia Quarles
​Transit Fellowship Program
​2300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 620
​Arlington, VA 22201

DEADLINE:

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected.

ABOUT NVTC:

NVTC has a small staff located in offices in the vibrant Court House area of Arlington. NVTC is a leading expert on performance metrics and transit finance, coordinates regional planning studies and evaluations, partners with other regional entities including the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. NVTC encompasses six cities and counties, a commuter rail service, six bus systems including MetroBus, Metrorail and the Vanpool Alliance.

Job Alert: Group Manager (Sustainability Program) – San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District

July 7, 2015 at 2:21 pm

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is seeking excellent candidates for the position of Sustainability Program, Group Manager. This is a senior level position that will oversee a $40M energy budget, energy efficiency and implementation of an Environmental Management System for the District.  I’d appreciate it if you could post to your networks.

The group manager will be responsible for guiding BART’s Sustainability planning and implementation in order to advance BART’s long-term vision for sustainability. Plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the Energy Division and Environmental Management Systems, to implement BART’s Sustainability Policy through sustainable and resilient provision of energy and other key resources supporting operation of the BART system; coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Assistant General Manager and Chief Planning and Development Officer(s); and performs related duties as assigned.

http://www.bart.gov/about/jobs (See position #5456).

Job Alert: Transportation Planner (TDM) – District Department of Transportation (DDOT) @ Washington, DC

June 29, 2015 at 3:28 pm
  • Job Title: Transportation Planner (T.D.M.)
  • Requisition Number: JO-1506-2716
  • Grade: 13
  • Salary Range: $76,397.00 – $98,429.00
  • Promotion Potential:
  • Agency: Transportation, District Dept.
  • Location: 55 M St SE (DDOT)
  • Area of Consideration: Open to the Public
  • Opening/Closing Date: 6/25/2015 – 7/25/2015

Job Summary

  • Salary Range: $76,397.00 to $98,429 per annum
  • CS-2101-13
  • First screening date: July 9, 2015
  • Number of Vacancies: One (1)
  • Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-union): This position is not in collective bargaining unit.
  • Duration of Employment: Career Service – Permanent

Transportation Planner (Transportation Demand Management / TDM) is the senior level position within the Transportation Planning Coordinator job progression. Develops and manages the transportation demand management program for the District of Columbia, with emphasis on a multi-modal approach to reduce travel demand.

Brief Description of Duties:

Develops and manages the transportation demand management program for the District of Columbia, with emphasis on a multi-modal approach to reduce travel demand, especially single occupancy vehicle demand during peak hours of  travel. Markets the transportation demand management program to employers, employees and residents of the District of Columbia through advertising, public relations, employers, direct marketing, the internet, and other means. Manages consultants that perform marketing activities. Reviews development plans to ensure appropriate transportation demand measures. Coordinates transportation demand policies and programs with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Business Improvement Districts, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and other groups to seek their commitment to implement transportation demand management policies and programs.

Qualifications

Knowledge and experience in the field of transportation demand management, including encouragement of transit, bicycle, and pedestrian travel, and land use and parking policies that reduce or change transportation demand. Knowledge of and experience in regional transportation planning and coordination. Knowledge and expertise in marketing transportation options to businesses, employees and residents. Knowledge and experience developing scopes of work for transportation/marketing programs and managing contracts. Ability to effectively communication orally and in written formats technical information pertaining to transportation planning studies, projects, program analyses, and to facilitate meetings and the coordination of related program.

Licensures, Certifications and other requirements

Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) membership is desired.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree – Bachelor’s Degree in planning, marketing, business, public administration, or similar field, or an equivalent combination of education or experience

 Work Experience

3 or more years of relevant experience.

 To apply, to go: http://careers.dc.gov/ts2__JobDetails?jobId=a0K1600000e8fPEEAY&tSource and send a resume to jim.sebasitan@dc.gov

 

Job Alert: Senior Transportation Planner – Lea and Elliott, Inc @ Herndon, VA

June 24, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Lea +Elliott is seeking a self-sufficient, highly organized, personable and motivated person to join our senior-level staff in the Northern Virginia office. With direct accountability to the project’s FTA Coordination Manager, the Senior Planner will assist in gaining and transmitting intellectual understanding of issues and events occurring on a large and complex public rail transit construction project in order to meet FTA and agency reporting, meeting and project management requirements.

The successful candidate will be called upon to research, interview, analyze, write and edit complex technical data for use in reports, plans and procedures that record and present technical information, often in a non-technical way.  They will need to exercise initiative, judgment and decision making ability in a timely and effective manner and in full compliance with all applicable local and federal laws, rules and regulations.

Position Responsibilities

Included in the position responsibilities are:

  • Being a member of the team that develops monthly and quarterly progress reports covering the entire project effort.
  • Maintaining a high level of quality control.
  • Preparing for and creating documentation of monthly and quarterly meetings with the FTA for the project record.
  • Staying current with federal project management requirements and aligning reports and plans to comply with all regulatory requirements.
  • Assisting senior leadership and executive management with other regulatory, audit and quality review functions as needed.
  • Coordinating between departments and interviewing project directors and others to avoid duplications of effort or contradictions.
  • Maintaining the documentation repository of newly created or revised reports, minutes, plans, etc., to assure a complete project record.
  • Obtaining needed reviews and approvals for the timely dissemination of newly created or revised documents to the appropriate audiences.
  • Monitoring compliance with policies, grant terms, procedures and guidelines of the various federal and state agencies.
  • Becoming familiar with multiple topics as needed by reading and using computer based products to gather and research technical information for use in complex documentation.

Requirements

  • Masters or Bachelors degree in Transportation Planning or related field.
  • At least four years (six years with a Bachelors degree) of specialized experience that is related to the responsibilities described.
  • Excellent writing and verbal skills and full mastery of English.
  • AICP Certification is preferred.
  • Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required.

Basic Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess:

  • Creative problem-solving skills related to gathering relevant information to solve loosely-defined problems.
  • Excellent proofreading and editing skills and attention to detail.
  • Experience working with the transit industry’s writing style such as terminology grammar, sentence form, and structure.
  • The ability to convert technical knowledge into terminology that can be easily understood by a broad and diverse audience.
  • The ability to work independently and be self-motivated, as well as be part of a team.
  • The ability to read and assimilate technical and financial information rapidly and from diverse sources and use it to prepare timely and accurate reports and plans.
  • Good analytical thinking and problem solving skills.
  • The ability to communicate effectively and efficiently by both listening and speaking carefully.
  • Flexibility and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the position.
  • Superior time management, organization and prioritization skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with project colleagues while insisting on thorough and accurate input from these colleagues at the same time.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the federal government’s regulatory process ideally in the areas of public transportation, New Starts and TIFIA.

Lea+Elliott

An internationally recognized transit vehicle and systems engineering firm, Lea+Elliott is highly regarded for its depth of experience and expertise. We are a specialized group of planners, engineers and architects that work on transit systems around the world.

The position falls under the responsibility of Lea+Elliott’s Eastern Regional Director at the firm’s corporate office at Dulles International Airport, but will report to the project’s FTA Coordination Manager in the project office, located in Herndon, VA.

We are looking for someone who can begin immediately.  Salary is dependent on experience.  Lea+Elliott is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply, please respond to jobopenings@leaelliott.comwith a cover letter and resume.  No phone calls please.

Applications will be accepted through June 26.