Welcome - Leslie S. Richards, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia, PA Called to Impact, Poem by Emmanuella R. Myrthil, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia, PA Keynote -  Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, SEED, LEED AP BD+C, 2024 President, American Institute of Architects, […]

Southwest Philadelphia, a rich, varied and somewhat undefined region of the city, showcases both local vibrancy and underinvestment. It’s home to neighborhoods like Kingsessing, unique business sectors, such as Little Africa along Chester and Woodland Avenues, and educational and municipal centers. Three of SEPTA’s 8 trolley lines travel through the area, making the Trolley Modernization […]

A world-class redevelopment is underway on the banks of the Schuylkill River in West Philadelphia. It’s been called one of the most exceptional transit-oriented developments in the nation and an opportunity for architects, engineers, planners and designers to lay the foundation for Philadelphia’s bright future. See the elements already built and hear directly from project […]

Update: This Mobile Workshop ends at 2pm, not 12:45 as originally published. The lunch is an authentic Chinese dim sum buffet. Roosevelt Boulevard, 12 lanes wide, runs through northeast Philadelphia, carrying 90,000 vehicles and 20,000 people via bus per day. It is one of the deadliest roads in the country, with a crash every 4.5 […]

The role of a transportation agency CEO is multidisciplinary, requiring focus on multiple fronts and long term vision for the future. Responsibilities cover operations, funding and revenue challenges, stakeholder interactions, communications, marketing and board interactions and management. Being a CEO also requires handling human resource challenges, including staffing shortages, employee retention and career path mapping. […]

A mostly abandoned railroad right-of-way. An abandoned railroad viaduct. Underutilized transit assets near a rail station. These all are examples of spaces that were brought to life through vision and ingenuity. The transformations range from a network of soccer fields to a hugely popular urban multimodal trail, from greenways that connect neighborhoods to re-envisioning transit […]

As agencies with limited resources search for ways to better serve their communities and respond to changing travel patterns and microtransit options, bus network redesign projects, aka comprehensive operational analyses, are being planned and implemented across the country. As these projects steadily rise, so does the importance of robust community input, especially given that some […]

In the design process, we've all certainly used input from staff, stakeholders and the public. But what important insights are people leaving out? How are users actually navigating spaces and systems? And what information can we glean from their conscious and unconscious choices? Learn about some uncommon ways that your colleagues are answering these questions. […]

Let the recent developments around Aerial Transportation (AT) take you on a mesmerizing journey around the globe. This commonly overlooked model is defying historic misconceptions by providing a reliable and sustainable response to last-mile connections in urban areas. Embark with experienced guides on an imaginary trip through the U.S., Canada, and France on gondola systems […]

Even as large-scale, multimodal projects advance in communities around the country, local residents do not always see people like themselves involved on site, as workers. Workforce equity programs tend to operate on a project-by-project basis. Not all programs reach the communities they are meant to serve, resulting in barriers for local populations who could benefit […]

The push to rethink land use policies always needs to be able to meet communities where they are. Also, the perfect cannot be the enemy of the good, or the enemy of the better. Sometimes progress requires a fundamental rethinking of the problem that is trying to being solved. It also can involve more fundamental […]

This walk will be historic! First, stop for lunch at the food court at the Shops at Liberty Place, packed with a dozen affordable food options. Then, head to 1300 Locust Street to see a specially-curated display of historical artifacts at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP): pieces that focus on the history of transit […]

Are you a transit-oriented development (TOD) manager at a transit agency? Or a city or regional staffer tasked with making TOD happen? Maybe you work for a redevelopment authority or other financing entity or in affordable housing. Whatever the case, get together with people like yourself and dive into discussion. Your voice will be heard, […]

AARP Livable Communities supports efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and rural areas to be great places for people of all ages. We believe all communities should be safe and secure, with supportive community features and services, including adequate transit and mobility options. How is your community working to build thriving and resilient transit systems, including […]

The story of the Tacony neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia revolves around continuously changing industry along the Delaware River. Arrive by train and grab a bicycle for a 5-mile ride. Learn about this immigrant neighborhood’s development, including its past as a factory town, mid-19th Century architectural styles, modern day warehouses and the vibrant commercial strip of […]

Boost your familiarity with a variety of types of transit service – and find out how SEPTA is improving to meet the needs of today’s riders. The SEPTA system combines bus, trolley, subway/el and regional rail inherited from five different private companies. Experience city and suburban transit offerings including: an electrified regional rail line with […]

Learn about the vision – and growing reality – for revitalizing Kingsessing, a neighborhood in Southwest Philadelphia that suffers from unsafe streets, obsolete public housing and lack of access to nearby amenities such as Bartram’s Garden (the nation’s first botanical garden, started in 1728!) and the Schuylkill River Trail. Hear from SEPTA about improvements that […]

Circle up and let’s explore how developers and community groups develop a "capital stack,” the layers of the financial structure of a real estate deal, to achieve their transit-oriented and community development objectives. With specific projects as examples, we’ll cover the nitty-gritty of preparing a financial plan along with the challenges of convincing stakeholders and […]

You’ve likely heard about and (if you’re in the US) even benefitted from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. But do you understand where it’s going? Continuation of the hard-earned gains and transformational elements of the law is not a given. In this interactive and high-energy conversation, hear from insiders about the key issues the […]

What do a small borough in Pennsylvania, a small city in Florida and a city near Phoenix share in common? All have prioritized equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) in conjunction with expanding regional rail and light rail service. Hear about what makes each place unique as well as the challenges they face, from funding sources to […]

In North America, the majority of public transit users are women. But they don’t always have an easy ride. Women often feel unsafe or experience harassment. They frequently travel with strollers or packages and often are assisting family or community members. The absence of gender-sensitive design and infrastructure exacerbates their mobility challenges. Learn about new […]

Due to public misunderstanding, culture wars and other factors, some local and state governments have proposed — or enacted — measures to slow or stop progress of transit lines or prohibit rail-based transit and other tools in the mobility toolbox, such as bus-only lanes or road diets. So, how can localities and transit agencies address […]

For the first time in U.S. history, the federal government, via the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program, is making significant investments to address the historical injustices wrought by past transportation policy. Let’s dig into projects underway in Syracuse and Portland that are addressing legacies of inequity and the historic harm of highway building. In Portland, […]

Planning for transit-oriented development (TOD) alongside new transit investments is hardly a novel idea. But as the North American TOD and transit-oriented communities capability continues to mature, the benefits of planning early and effectively can’t be overstated. This is especially true when the planning area is not simply a station but a whole corridor or […]

Transit agencies, publicly funded entities that require private partners to deliver certain types of development, have historically struggled to catalyze transit-oriented development and communities. One reason? A lack of understanding about how to engage developers and encourage investment, especially given that real estate isn’t an agency’s primary mission. Why do developers invest in transit-oriented development […]

Many transit agencies nationwide are still confronting a post-COVID decline in ridership. Meanwhile, many riders are experiencing unprecedented issues of safety and security onboard transit vehicles. How do we maintain service quality for our current ridership, assist those in need and attract new riders? Maximizing police and security forces isn’t enough. Explore unconventional methods for […]

Adopted over 30 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was a major step forward in opening up public spaces and transit to people with disabilities. Mission accomplished? Not quite. Chances are everyone will face mobility challenges at some point in their lives. Access barriers also affect people with children in strollers, luggage bags, bicycles […]

The tenets around Environmental Justice and equity are converging, and one project shows just how much. Link21 is a proposed new train crossing between Oakland and San Francisco that would transform the regional rail system and unlock better travel possibilities across the 21-county Northern California Megaregion. LINK21 sets a new standard for engaging diverse communities […]

Large-scale efforts are underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. Like anything, effective policy and action requires input from different fields. But to no one’s surprise, not everyone agrees on the correct approaches to take. Should the solutions be all-EV? Or does monomania about EVs perpetuate harmful land use patterns? Is the […]

The terminology around transportation and development can be a real head-scratcher. Get ready for some fun as we put your knowledge of acronyms and terms to the test! Break into teams for a gameshow-style introduction to the lexicon of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Transit Oriented Communities. Flex your jargon muscles, discover your inner wonk […]

ICYMI: Housing supply and affordability challenges aren’t confined to expensive coastal transit markets. They are a core focus for transit-oriented development (TOD) efforts across the country. Delve into case studies from the heartland that showcase cutting-edge TOD strategies at different scales, from a parking lot conversion to affordable housing (involving discounted land sales) to use […]

The Red Line High School Internship program demonstrates that transit projects that invest in youth workforce development bring immense benefits to the community. The program seeks to engage students residing and studying within the Red Line corridor, providing them with insights into the Red Line Transit Project and exposing them to careers within the transportation […]

Close the first full day of the conference with a party. Compare notes about sessions, mobile workshops and what you’ve seen of Philadelphia so far. Meet new friends. Explore the exhibits, bookstore and SEPTA store. Light appetizers and cash bar. Plus - 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Mentoring with WTS Philadelphia Step from the Public […]

During the Monday Wind Down reception, join WTS Philadelphia in the Liberty Ballroom for mentoring with transportation leaders. Take a quick survey and WTS will match you up for a 7-minute conversation: advice about career development and insights about challenges facing the industry today. More info about how to sign up on this flyer (PDF).

Kickstart your morning with a revitalizing 30-minute session designed to recharge your body and mind—all from the comfort of your chair. We’ll guide you through simple, effective techniques proven to ease stress, boost energy, and add a bit more joy to your workday. No special gear is required—just bring yourself, whether in conference attire or […]

Emcee - Diana Mendes, Corporate President, Infrastructure and Mobility Equity, HNTB / President, Mpact Board of Directors, Washington, DC Video Address - Congressman Earl Blumenauer, 3rd District, Oregon / Mpact Board of Directors Welcome - Christopher Coes, Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, Office of the Secretary, US Department of Transportation, Washington, DC Plenary […]

Take regional rail to Southwest Philadelphia. The nearby John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, the first urban wildlife refuge in the nation, protects Pennsylvania’s largest remaining freshwater tidal marsh, with 1200 acres, ten miles of trails, a canoe ramp and opportunities to see birds, native wildlife and plants. End with Eastwick, Philadelphia’s lowest-elevation neighborhood. […]

Explore two of William Penn’s original squares – Logan and Center – and the public spaces that tie them together. Along the way learn about 300 years of planning history and varying contemporary solutions to reinvigorating, accessing and managing public open spaces. Penn’s surveyor, Thomas Holme, laid out the street grid and five squares still […]

The Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia once was a center for textile manufacturing, an industry that generated more than 300,000 local jobs. But when factories closed after World War II, a long period of disinvestment followed. Today Kensington is notorious for its open-air drug market and the presence of transient drug users along commercial corridors and […]

American Street in the heart of North Philadelphia tells a story of a corridor in transition, from an era of factories to disused blocks of vacant lots to a new generation of transit-supportive green and complete streets. It’s also a story of collaboration between city streets and water departments, the transit agency and state and […]

Toronto, like many fast-growing cities, faces a housing affordability crisis, with one in five households in need of some form of housing assistance. At the same time, a generational investment in rapid transit infrastructure is underway, connecting neighborhoods and opening up new opportunities for housing. To meet the need and the moment, the City of […]

It can take many partners, a lot of coordination and a series of small miracles to turn a transit system vision into reality. In the case of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), laying the groundwork for developments that won't be brick and mortar for 10 years or more requires partnerships between the transit agency, community, city, developers […]

Sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks aren't just infrastructure but symbols of a community's identity. This recognition is part of a paradigm shift in the way transportation projects engage with communities, especially when there is a history of disparities and neglect. Let’s dig into an example of first/last mile planning that puts community and community-based partnerships […]

Transit agencies develop bus rapid transit (BRT) projects on streets owned or administered by the city, the county or the state. Inroads must always be made – to understand and find solutions amidst competing interests and possibly different outcomes desired. Together, let’s take a look at tensions and tradeoffs in BRT project design and the […]

How are analysts using public data to better align transit service to customer needs, across modes and at local and regional scales? It takes special skill to turn raw data into real insights that lead to implementable solutions. Four unique evaluation methods illustrate how to use data to focus on specific problems your agency or […]

The majority of transit riders are women. Yet, even before the pandemic, the transportation sector was composed of only approximately 15% female-identifying workers. The gender gap remains, driven by changing cultural and political environments, generational composition of the workforce, preferences in work environments and more. Who’s working to change this picture – and where? Get […]

Next stop: Transformation. Across the United States and Canada, century-old train stations are morphing to meet present-day needs, becoming dynamic epicenters of civic life and community space, while also preserving transit operations. Take your seat and discover the intentionality behind the evolution of these modern transit hubs. See the role of community in design and […]

The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. These emissions contribute to the global climate crisis. To meet our climate goals defined under the Paris Agreement, the US must eliminate nearly all greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050. Transportation electrification and fuel efficiency alone are not enough to […]

Learn about an innovative partnership between SEPTA and Mural Arts Philadelphia to bring public art to transit stations through “Color Me Back,” a same day work and pay program that provides opportunities for work to Philadelphia’s economically insecure population. Walk less than a half-mile to Suburban Station and grab lunch before visiting Mural Arts’ studio […]

Go behind-the-scenes at Hub of Hope, an innovative community-oriented space that provides social and health care services to people experiencing homelessness. Located in the Suburban Station Concourse –one of the core SEPTA stations and part of the Center City Commuter Connection – the 11,000-square-foot facility offers meals, health care services and help finding a permanent […]

Explore transit-oriented developments (TODs) along the Schuylkill River northwest of the City of Philadelphia in the growing borough of Conshohocken and its adjacent development areas, Whitemarsh Township and Spring Mill. Find out how Montgomery County’s Transit-Oriented Development Model Ordinance guides municipalities in adding appropriate building typologies and station-area features to their zoning codes for use […]

The AARP Community Challenge grant program is part of the nationwide AARP Livable Communities initiative that helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. The program is intended to help communities make immediate improvements and jump-start long-term progress in support of residents of all ages. Join us for a conversation on the impact the AARP Community […]

Bring your lunch for an informal and open discussion about Lenape history and culture in the Philadelphia region, with the Chief Keeper of Culture for the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania. Hear about the “Walking Purchase,” through which the sons of William Penn acquired Lenape land in the 1730s, as well as a re-enactment of it […]

Please note: Due to changes in train schedules, Mobile Workshop 18 now starts at 12:45 pm (not 1:00 pm as originally stated).  One of the great things to see and experience at the conference is Philadelphia’s deep history as a transit-oriented region. But, as in many cities around the country, there’s demand for more housing […]

Bicycle approximately 8.5 miles along the Delaware River and learn about the Master Plan for the Central Delaware River, which guides policy and investment strategies for 6 miles of riverfront. See some of the changes since the plan’s adoption in 2012: six waterfront parks, three connector streets and nearly three miles of the Delaware River […]

The U.S. Navy’s former Philadelphia shipyard is now one of Philadelphia's fastest growing employment centers and a unique part of the city, with biotech and fashion companies amidst historic buildings, riverfront open space, and big ships. It’s a leading model for repurposing military and industrial assets for a diversified and inclusive modern economy. But it’s […]

When it comes to budgeting public money, every dollar comes into question. What if taxpayers could provide input on how their money was to be spent? What if diverse stakeholders could come together and agree on how to jointly achieve the public’s goals? What if there was a way to build consensus before spending the […]

Find a good seat for a Town Hall with USDOT and other industry leaders focused on the Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Speakers will take questions about discretionary grant programs and discuss the federal role in accelerating decarbonization outcomes, addressing equity disparities and providing incentives for carbon-friendly growth. Hear on-the-ground insights from state and local climate […]

For a long time, North America’s commuter rail systems followed a tried and true model: provide reliable, high-quality, amenity-rich service to the legions of white-collar commuters heading to office jobs. Even before the pandemic and work from home trends took a bite out of the 9-5 commute, some commuter systems were envisioning a different model. […]

Bus riders are the most loyal and reliable customers for transit. And the bus stop is the front door, the first impression. Recognizing this, agencies around the country are focusing more intently on the bus stop experience. Hear about the factors that go into developing and prioritizing investments for bus stops, from Americans with Disability […]

Bus rapid transit (BRT) needs space, not just for buses to run quickly and reliably, but for stations, supportive multimodal infrastructure, stormwater treatment and other features. This space is never easy to come by, especially in “legacy cities,” where road rights-of-way were first established for carts and wagons and hundreds of years of urban development […]

Equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) is a marathon, not a sprint. But how do you even get started? Let’s explore Honolulu, HI, and Pottstown, PA, two very different places facing the same challenges of how to implement ETOD from the ground up. Come ready to listen, learn and contribute your ideas. After an introduction, split into […]

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed early in the Biden Administration, unlocked historic amounts of transportation funding. It also included ambitious directives for involving communities in the planning and implementation of projects. These directives that dovetail with a growing effort among planners to center equity and repair past harms. What tools and tactics are emerging? Learn […]

Transit ridership and travel behavior patterns and destinations all are changing. Some of this change predates the pandemic but post-pandemic it’s clear that reaching and understanding riders is key. Key to rebuilding ridership, to responding to changing mobility needs, to addressing inequities and to positioning transit as core to the way communities move in the […]

2026 marks America's 250th birthday. To get ready, Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, home to the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in the nation and the church where George Washington and Ben Franklin worshipped, began a visioning process. The result, Vision2026, sets goals for optimal private development and defines the elements of a high-quality public realm. […]

Hear about two approaches to understanding and enacting sustainability goals, within communities and in systems and practices. The Global Philadelphia Association works with local partners to fund and create murals focused on United Nations Sustainable Development goals. Each project brings grant dollars to local nonprofits, educational institutions and artists, building local engagement with what sustainability […]

Actually delivering equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) takes intentionality. Let’s see what that means by looking at the specifics of programs in two cities. In one, a new grant program focused on partnerships with local cities and community-based organizations (CBOs) includes several features: updating city policies to implement ETODs, bolstering CBO capacity to take on affordable […]

City life has transformed. Remote work, e-commerce, delivery services and streaming media bring daily needs to our doors. Yet, this convenience, fed by technology, is taking a toll – and not only on retail and restaurant districts, which depend on in-real-life interactions. Studies show that isolation is affecting our mental health and social fitness, as […]

Odds are you’ve been part of the process of creating goals and visions for transit-oriented communities around existing and new transit lines. How often does the vision get bogged down? When zoning or other requirements to implement the vision are not actually developed or adopted? Or when politics or other unforeseen circumstances get in the […]

Coalitions evolve in response to common concerns and interests. For transit coalitions, what does that look like? Let’s hear about two advocacy efforts focused on improving transit riders’ access and experience as well as preserving transit service. The aspirations of these coalitions align with those of transit agencies: both want riders and communities more invested […]

Students making the transition from childhood to their teenage years are developing world views and habits that can last a lifetime. Recognizing this, transit agencies and community organizations are engaging with young people, helping them to become more independent and capable transit users as well as advocates for transit within their communities. Learn the specifics […]

Transportation project timelines and cycles present challenges for authentic community engagement. How do you build the sustained relationships necessary to really hear and understand community needs and views, especially those of under-represented, low income, non-English-speaking or BIPOC segments of the population? Three case studies offer different pathways. In one location, an existing Ambassador program focused […]

Maybe you’re working on a transit-oriented development (TOD) master plan. Or you have a transit corridor where you want to integrate TODs with different stations and neighboring communities and commercial districts. You’re likely working with different levels of government, plus the private sector, plus local nonprofits to develop a vision. How do you bring these […]

Urban and landscape design offer creative approaches to bringing community vision into transit projects. Learn about ways to do this within the constraints of a typical infrastructure project, which has stringent functional requirements and procurement processes along with pressure for speedy delivery. Several examples from around the country demonstrate success in a variety of settings, […]

Don’t miss this Tuesday night tradition – the one everybody talks about! Creative, candid, energetic, the PK Slam features stand-up presentations in the style of PechaKucha™. This year’s venue: a former technical high school turned workspace for Philadelphia makers, businesses, nonprofits and artists - as well as a gathering space for the Philly community and […]

Come out for a conversation-paced morning run with fellow Mpact attendees. This casual run will check out Ben Franklin Parkway, visit the “Rocky steps” at the Philadelphia Art Museum, showcase the Schuylkill River Trail’s boardwalk, and finish back to the hotel passing through Rittenhouse Square. Expect a 3.5- to 4-mile route with a mid-run option […]

Explore several different kinds of bicycle facilities in Center City Philadelphia and hear the stories of how they came to be, including collaboration with community groups, businesses, elected officials and other agencies. The approximately 8-mile route includes bike lanes, protected bike lanes, curb protected bike lanes, the Delaware River Trail, a road diet and the […]

Fishtown, a neighborhood along the Delaware River just north of Center City, is one of Philadelphia’s hottest and most transformed rowhome neighborhoods. A “riverward,” its origins date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when working-class communities sprung up in response to maritime commerce and the Industrial Revolution. Today, the story is transit-oriented development (TOD) […]

The phrase "Creative Placemaking" was coined fourteen years ago in a report commissioned by the National Endowment for the Arts. Since then, the term has evolved to be “placekeeping” and the endeavor part of best practices for capital projects. But creative placekeeping is not just a tool for beautification. It also provides opportunities for effective […]

How do agencies with limited funding connect people with low incomes – and limited access to a car – to jobs and services when operating in areas with topographic challenges and low densities? Let’s explore a few places making it happen! Hear about workforce transportation in a rural community, on-demand service to outlying employment centers […]

New C-Suite roles are arriving at transit agencies and changing the way we think about engagement, transit agency operations and future development. Hear from two of these leaders  in a talk show style discussion. What is their day to day like? What new innovations are they bringing to the board room and business practices? What […]

In older, legacy cities around the country, new greenways are blooming in underserved communities of color. Each involves nonprofits and cities working with community members to re-envision underutilized infrastructure and create safe, comfortable and beautiful places for active transportation. Let’s review best practices and lessons learned. The case studies feature prototypes of on-street, off-street and […]

When you look at land, how far does your imagination stretch? Expand your perspective about the ways public sector entities can leverage land assets to impact a broad array of social infrastructure. We’ll cover a lot of ground, including the shifting perspective of transit agencies, from strictly mobility providers to foundational cornerstones of urban and […]

How can transit-oriented development around bus and rail assist the revitalization of older, legacy city downtowns? Let’s look at multiple cities across the Northeast and Midwest — examples of  "Frostbelt" or "Rustbelt" communities seeking to rebound from decades of disinvestment and de-industrialization. Many of these downtowns have central transit hubs or are involved in establishing […]

More transit agencies are taking up the framework of Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (ETOC) as an approach to centering equity in their practices, meeting the needs of a diversity of residents and integrating economic, climate and relationship-building goals. What best practices are emerging from agencies and community-based organizations? Let’s workshop both the processes and the tools, […]

Scattered across Philadelphia, community gardens provide fresh food and flowers for residents of every background. But not only that: often started by community members on vacant parcels, the gardens provide social, environmental and economic benefits. They are places for seniors to sit, a way to preserve cultural foodways, an opportunity to teach younger generations how […]

South 9th Street and East Passyunk Avenue are iconic Philadelphia neighborhood commercial corridors. 9th is home to the Italian Market, one of America’s oldest and largest open-air markets, featuring businesses that have been in families for generations and new immigrant-owned shops. East Passyunk crosses 9th diagonally at “Cheesesteak Vegas,” with Gino’s Steaks on one triangular […]

There’s a road diet on the eastern half of Washington Avenue but not on the western half. Washington Avenue is a 5-lane arterial in South Philadelphia that touches Black, Vietnamese, Mexican and Italian communities along its route. It’s a quickly changing corridor with multiple large development projects. Take the bus to Washington Avenue and walk […]

Transit agencies, bolstered by federal funding during the pandemic, are facing drastic fiscal shortfalls as special allocations go away and ridership lags. Without substantial and sustained funding, agencies risk service cuts, fare increases and deferred maintenance. To help avert the worst of these scenarios, agencies are tapping into their creative side, developing initiatives to increase […]

Ready to turn chaos into harmony? Achieving consensus is key to successful collaboration, especially in today’s fast-paced, polarized world. So let’s dive into the art and science of consensus building, providing you with practical tools and strategies to foster agreement and promote cooperative decision-making, at lots of different levels. We’ll start with insights from two […]

Not surprisingly, much of the focus for transit-oriented development goes to places with high frequency transit, whether that’s central areas with abundant service or station areas for rail or BRT. But what about car-oriented corridors in outlying suburbs, where transit is planned but not there yet? Find out about a t-o-d approach to “second-tier” locations, […]

Bike riders and transit riders deserve to feel safe, but many street environments make it feel the opposite. In Philadelphia the regional planning agency, city and transit agency are finding routes to safer streets by leveraging repaving projects and the long-awaiting trolley modernization project. Explore past and future projects. Hear about methodology for traffic analysis […]

Fan-filled sports and entertainment venues bring big juice to cities, generating tourism dollars and civic pride. They also generate a lot of traffic. Recent big events – Beyonce to Taylor Swift to Super Bowls – have put a spotlight on transit access in unique ways. And some venues, hoping to reduce their environmental footprint, are […]

There are many sustainable infrastructure frameworks and certifications in existence – from LEED to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to the Living Building Challenge. But no single framework captures the importance of going beyond net zero results and focusing on the coevolution of human and natural systems, especially with attention to local communities and […]

Interested in how communities participating in the Build America Bureau’s Thriving Communities Program (TCP) leverage technical assistance to engage in effective public engagement practices? Start with an overview of the technical assistance and innovative finance programs currently offered through the Build America Bureau, along with highlights from the USDOT’s Promising Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement […]

Welcome: Carolyn Flowers, Partner, InfraStrategies / Vice President, Mpact Board of Directors Plenary Discussion: Climate Action All the best practices, plans, and processes discussed throughout this Mpact Transit + Community conference contribute to achieving climate action goals - local, regional, national, and global. To achieve these goals requires a multi-scale, coordinated approach that centers equity […]

Reimagining Regional Rail For Greater Philadelphia and Tri-State Access Mpact Transit + Community’s Regional Day program focuses on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine regional rail for Greater Philadelphia and the Tri-State Area of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, including service operated by SEPTA, NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak. During this afternoon program, start with an overview […]