Events

News & Events

MTI organizes or participates in several transportation-related events each year. These include national summits, regional forums, industry conferences, or special events and broadcasts. You can find leading transportation experts at all of these events, making them an excellent resource not only for professional and research insights, but also for networking. You can review our past events.

The Mineta Transportation Institute is deeply involved with many surface transportation issues. Our experts are available to speak with the news media about many topics, including autonomous vehicles, bicycle and pedestrian safety, congestion, high-speed rail, intermodal connectivity, public transit, transportation planning and policy, transportation security, and workforce issues.

For media requests, please contact:

Alverina Weinardy
Director of Operations
alverina.weinardy@sjsu.edu
408-924-7566

Hilary Nixon
Deputy Executive Director
hilary.nixon@sjsu.edu
408-924-7564

Dates	Events
September 2, 2026	California Rail Safety Month Kick-Off - San Jose Diridon Station, 65 Cahill St, San Jose, CA 95110 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. (PT) Kick off California Rail Safety Month with us at San Jose Diridon Station! Partners United for Rail Safety brings together transportation agencies, community partners, and rail safety advocates for a morning of rail safety education and community engagement. Stop by to learn important rail safety tips, connect with local transportation partners, and pick up some swag while learning how we can all help keep our communities safe around trains and railroad tracks. This event is a partnership between California Operation Lifesaver, Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, the Mineta Transportation Institute, the City of San José, Altamont Corridor Express (ACE), Caltrain, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).
September 9, 2026	The Mineta Forum on Transportation Policy & Leadership: Honoring a Legacy of Service - Ballroom, The National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20045 2:00-7:00 p.m. (ET) \| Link to Register Schedule: Forum 2:00-4:45 p.m. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m. Reception 5:00-7:00 p.m. Registration Fee: $75 per person Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, our nation experienced a moment that would forever alter its path. After the Twin Towers were hit, then-Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta called for the grounding of every plane in American airspace—an unprecedented act that, to this day, has reshaped how we understand leadership. This September 9th, join bipartisan national experts in Washington, D.C. as they honor Secretary Mineta’s legacy, commemorate those lost, and work together to understand challenges and maximize opportunities for the future of American mobility. This event unites leaders across the aisle, including experts who worked alongside Secretary Mineta, those who have helped transform the ways we move people and goods, and those who continue to collaborate to advance Mineta’s legacy of bipartisan progress for the benefit of the American people. Connect with us as we reflect on and discuss policy, transportation security, and the industry workforce—and as we collaborate to move mobility and the nation forward together. The Mineta Forum on Transportation Policy & Leadership Host Committee: The Honorable Elizabeth Dole, 8th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Senator from North Carolina The Honorable James H. Burnley IV, 9th U.S. Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Samuel K. Skinner, 10th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, White House Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush The Honorable Andrew Card, 11th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, White House Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, Deputy Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush The Honorable Federico Peña, 12th U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 14th U.S. Secretary of Energy The Honorable Rodney Slater, 13th U.S. Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Mary Peters, 15th U.S. Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Ray LaHood, 16th U.S. Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Anthony Foxx, 17th U.S. Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Elaine Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor, 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation The Honorable John D. Porcari, 10th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Polly Trottenberg, 13th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Jane Garvey, 14th Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Forum Agenda Master of Ceremonies Dr. Karen E. Philbrick, Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute, San José State University (SJSU) Welcome Remarks Speakers (in speaking order): Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President, SJSU The Honorable James H. Burnley IV, 9th U.S. Secretary of Transportation The Honorable Rodney Slater, 13th U.S. Secretary of Transportation; Trustee, MTI Keynote Address \| A Son of San José: The Legacy of Norman Y. Mineta Secretary Mineta’s sons share personal reflections on their father and the extraordinary journey that took him from childhood incarceration at Heart Mountain to public service and leadership that forever changed the nation. Through their perspective, this keynote honors Secretary Mineta’s life, values, and enduring legacy. Speakers (listed alphabetically): Bob Brantner, Son of Secretary Norman Mineta; Captain, Delta Airlines David K. Mineta, Son of Secretary Norman Mineta; CEO, Alum Rock Counseling Center Fireside Chat \| In the Room That Day: Leadership on 9/11 Former Mineta senior advisors reunite to share perspectives from the team at the center of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s response to the September 11 attacks. Together, they offer a rare firsthand account of how Secretary Mineta and his team navigated unprecedented decisions in the midst of a national crisis—and the leadership lessons that continue to resonate 25 years later. Speakers (listed alphabetically): John Flaherty, Former Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to Secretary Norman Mineta, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Michelle Poché Flaherty, Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Asst. to Secretary Norman Mineta, USDOT; Assistant City Manager, Redwood City Genie Norris Murphy, Former Senior Advisor to Secretary Norman Mineta, USDOT The Day the Skies Closed: Frontline Perspectives from 9/11 When U.S. air traffic came to an unprecedented halt on September 11, the effects were immediate for the pilots and flight attendants at the heart of the aviation system. Captain Wendy Morse and Sara Nelson center the experiences of aviation’s frontline workforce, reflecting on the immediate and lasting impact of September 11. Both represented United crews during this defining period and have since risen to national leadership roles in their respective unions. Speakers (listed alphabetically): Captain Wendy Morse, First Vice President and National Safety Coordinator, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Int’l Sara Nelson, International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA, AFL-CIO) Featured Panel \| The Legacy That Moves Us: Transportation Security Across Modes, Across Agencies, & Across the Aisle Transportation security depends on collaboration that transcends agencies, modes, and political perspectives. Leaders from aviation, transit, maritime, and national security come together to examine how transportation security has evolved in the 25 years since September 11 and how Secretary Mineta’s example of collaborative leadership can inform the challenges ahead. Speakers (listed alphabetically): Randy Clarke, General Manager & CEO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) The Honorable Jennifer Homendy, Chairwoman, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Steve Morrissey, Trustee, MTI; Vice President - Regulatory and Policy, United Airlines Joanna M. Nunan, Vice Admiral, U.S. Maritime Service (Ret.), Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) Moderator: The Honorable Nuria I. Fernandez, Former FTA Administrator; President/CEO, AMDC Consulting LLC Reception Agenda Welcome Remarks: Dr. Karen E. Philbrick, Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute, SJSU The Mineta Legacy Initiative The Mineta Legacy Initiative carries Secretary Mineta’s values and example forward through a new generation of leaders. Attendees are invited to become part of that enduring legacy and help extend its impact for generations to come. Speakers (listed alphabetically): Jeff Morales, Co-Chair, Endowment Committee; Trustee, MTI; Managing Principal, InfraStrategies, LLC Lynda Tran, Co-Chair, Endowment Committee; Trustee, MTI; Managing Principal, InfraStrategies, LLC Special Reflections Secretary Mineta’s sons, Mark Brantner and Captain Stuart Mineta, share personal memories and reflections on their father, while longtime transportation leader David Matsuda reflects on Secretary Mineta’s enduring impact on our nation and those who had the opportunity to serve alongside him. Speakers (listed in speaking order): Mark D. Branter, Son of Secretary Norman Mineta; Realtor, Hurd Realty, LLC Stuart Mineta, Son of Secretary Norman Mineta; Captain, SkyWest Airlines David Matsuda, Former Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
September 15, 2026	Trailblazer Tuesday with Lynda Tran 12:00-12:30 p.m. (PT) \| Link to register. The Mineta Transportation Institute is hosting a series of virtual fireside chats featuring influential women leaders in transportation. These successful women—representing academia, public and private industries, and the nonprofit sector—will share their compelling personal narratives and leadership journeys. Gain valuable insights into their strategies for balancing assertiveness with emotional intelligence, overcoming stereotypes, and leading with intention. Join us to explore the profound impact of reshaping perspectives and championing women's roles within the transportation industry and beyond. Featured Guest: Lynda Tran, CEO, Lincoln Room Strategies & MTI Trustee Moderator: Dr. Karen Philbrick, Executive Director, MTI This webinar is co-sponsored by COMTO. 0.5 PDH credit available Presenters:* Lynda Tran & Karen Philbrick, PhD
September 17, 2026	Moving Goods, Managing Impacts: Planning for Sustainable Freight - Online 12:00-12:30p.m. (PT) \| Link to register. This MTI Research Snaps webinar is based on Routes to Sustainable Goods Movement: How Local and Regional Governmental Agencies Can Plan for the Sustainable Freight System of the Future. Freight keeps our economy and our everyday lives moving, but growing demand means growing costs. Urban areas are increasingly contending with congestion, infrastructure strain, emissions, pollution, and safety concerns, often concentrated in already burdened communities. How are metropolitan regions responding? In this webinar, hear from Dr. Serena Alexander about her research examining goods movement plans from eight major U.S. regions. She will discuss how agencies are balancing economic competitiveness with sustainability, resilience, and equity. Join in to learn what strategies are gaining ground, where freight planning continues to fall short, and how challenges around data, funding, and coordination are shaping the path forward. Featured Guest: Serena Alexander, PhD, MTI Research Associate; Associate Professor, Northeastern University Moderator: Hilary Nixon, PhD, Deputy Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) 0.5 PDH credit available Add event to your calendar. Presenters:* Serena Alexander, PhD
October 20, 2026 to October 22, 2026	2026 Research to Practice Transit Symposium - Online Link to Register. The 2026 “Research to Practice” Transit Symposium will be held October 20-22, 2026. The symposium will take place online and be streamed on YouTube. As the transit industry is experiencing significant changes (e.g., new technologies, potential funding shortage) in recent years, the Symposium provides a platform where transit experts share insights on how evidence-based research is being used or can be used to make the most of these opportunities in a dynamic environment. The agenda for this year’s symposium is still being finalized. Register today to receive updates on the upcoming sessions and speakers as they are announced. Past year’s symposiums included the following topics: Zero-Fare Transit Automated Transit Vehicles Climate Change Resilience Equity in Transit Operations Intercity Bus Systems Transit Performance Metrics Microtransit and Paratransit State of Practice Women in Transit Transit Finance Information about previous years’ events can be found here. In addition to the opening and closing plenaries, the symposium features two types of sessions: Researcher + practitioner sessions: researchers and practitioners will jointly present a research project that addresses a practical issue important to a transit agency, metropolitan planning organization, or department of transportation. Regular sessions: traditional presentations where an individual presenter shares transit-related research. AICP credits will be available for this event. Questions? Contact the following: Chad Riding Caltrans Division of Planning and Modal Program Management (916) 907-2212 chad.riding@dot.ca.gov Dr. Xiang ‘Jacob’ Yan Assistant Professor & UFTI Transit Lead Department of Civil & Coastal Engineering xiangyan@ufl.edu The Symposium is convened by a partnership between California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), University of Florida (UF) Transportation Institute, University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Transit Research Center, American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), and the Safety and Mobility Advancements Regional Transportation and Economics Research (SMARTER) Center.
October 28, 2026 to October 30, 2026	Student Poster Session at the 61st Annual Fall Conference & Expo - Monterey, California Submit your proposal. The California Transit Association invites undergraduate and graduate students to submit proposals for a Student Poster Session at the 61st Annual Fall Conference & Expo, taking place October 28-30, 2026, in Monterey, California. This poster session is co-sponsored by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University. Selected posters will be featured during the Welcome Reception & Expo on Wednesday, October 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., providing students with a unique opportunity to share their work with transit agency leaders, transportation professionals, and industry partners from across California.