Events

You are here

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
March 20, 2026 SAVI Talk: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of City Governance  -  Online,   -  Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Room 225

3:00-5:00p.m. (PT) | Link to register

Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from theory to practice inside city governments—but what does that actually look like, and what comes next?

Join us for a dynamic, in-person conversation bringing together leading researchers and city practitioners to explore how AI is reshaping urban governance, mobility, and public services. This event bridges cutting-edge academic insight with real-world municipal experience, offering a rare opportunity to hear how cities are experimenting with AI today—and how they can do so responsibly tomorrow.

This hybrid program will feature short presentations from Dr. Junghwan Kim (Virginia Tech) and Dr. Yongsung Lee (UC Davis), who will examine how AI is influencing public-sector decision-making, transportation systems, and long-term urban planning. Their talks will set the stage for a moderated panel discussion with Keith Hertzberg of the City of San José, who will share firsthand perspectives on the opportunities, constraints, and lessons learned from applying AI within city operations.

Together, the panel will address critical questions such as:

  • Where can AI meaningfully improve city services today?

  • What organizational, ethical, and governance challenges must cities navigate?

  • How can research and practice work together to support equitable and trustworthy AI adoption?

Whether you are a student, researcher, city professional, or community member interested in the future of cities, this event offers a grounded, forward-looking look at how AI is shaping the next generation of urban governance.

*MTI is a proud co-sponsor of this event.

*1 PDH credit available

March 24, 2026 Championing Women in Transportation: A Panel Discussion on Leadership and Mentorship in Transportation for Women's History Month  -  Online

12:00-1:00p.m. (PT) | Link to register.

Join the California Transit Association, in partnership with the Mineta Transportation Institute, for a discussion celebrating Women’s History Month. Hear from our panel of industry leaders about the importance of mentorship and champions for women in transit and transportation. As female leaders work to reach the C-suite, how can we work collectively to empower and inspire our female colleagues. Our panel will discuss their personal career trajectories, share best practices, and advice.

Speakers: 

  • Erin Rogers, CEO/General Manager, Omnitrans; Chair, California Transit Association Executive Committee
  • Alicia Trost, Chief Communications Officer, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
  • Toni Tinoco, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Communications, California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA)
  • Amanda Kahn, Senior Engineering Geologist, Caltrans

Moderator:

  • Karen Philbrick, Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San José State University

*MTI is a proud co-sponsor of this event.

April 2, 2026 Everyday GenAI: Your AI Writing Assistant for Transportation Professionals  -  Online

12:00-12:45p.m. (PT) | Link to register.

AI is changing how we write, but what does it actually mean for your day-to-day work?

Join MTI for the next webinar in our Everyday AI series: Your AI Writing Assistant.

Explore how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can support real writing tasks, including brainstorming ideas, organizing thoughts, and drafting and refining content. We’ll also discuss the limitations and risks of AI, and how to use it thoughtfully as a tool to enhance—not replace—your expertise. Learn practical strategies for prompt engineering, selecting the right tools for your needs, adhering to organizational policies, and streamlining your workflow while maintaining clarity, accuracy, and your own voice.

Presenters: 

  • Ramses Madou, Planning, Policy, and Sustainability Division Manager, San José Department of Transportation
  • Lisa Rose, Editor, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)

Moderator: Dr. Asha Weinstein Agrawal, Education Director, MTI

*0.75 PDH credit available

Add event to your calendar.

Presenters: Ramses Madou & Lisa Rose
April 14, 2026TrailblazerTuesday_BouchardMichelle_Flyer Trailblazer Tuesday with Michelle Bouchard  -  Online

12:00-12:30p.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: Michelle Bouchard, Executive Director, Caltrain

Moderator: Dr. Karen Philbrick, Executive Director, MTI

*0.5 PDH credit available

Add event to your calendar.

Presenters: Michelle Bouchard & Karen Philbrick, PhD
April 15, 2026 Japan’s Shinkansen - Extended Q&A & Practitioner Discussion  -  Online

3:00-4:00p.m. (PT) | Link to register

Japan’s Shinkansen is often described in superlatives: fast, precise, iconic. But what actually makes it work?

Due to popular demand, we are hosting a special follow-up session to our March 3 webinar, “Beyond the Bullet Train: Lessons from Japan’s Shinkansen,” to continue the conversation and give participants more time to ask questions. This Q&A-focused webinar will revisit key themes from the original discussion and invite deeper dialogue on the real decisions, principles, and design thinking behind Japan’s high-speed rail success—and what they may mean for North American practitioners.

This Q&A-focused webinar will revisit key themes from the original discussion and invite deeper dialogue on the real decisions, principles, and design thinking behind Japan’s high-speed rail success—and what they may mean for North American practitioners.

Speakers:

Moderator: Eric EidlinStation Planning Manager, City of San José Department of Transportation; MSTM Instructor

This webinar is co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan in San FranciscoAPTA High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Committee, High Speed Rail Alliance, and US High Speed Rail Association.

*1 PDH credit available

Add to Calendar.

Presenters: Masahiro Nakayama, Bryan Wong, and Eric Eidlin
May 20, 2026 2026 MSTM Capstone Showcase  -  Online

5:30-8:30p.m. (PT) | Link to Register.

Join students from the Master of Science in Transportation Management program at San José State University as they present their final capstone research projects. This interactive event will provide opportunities to meet with the students and learn about their research on critical transportation management challenges.

Add event to your calendar.

CSUTC
MCTM
NTFC
NTSC

Contact Us

San José State University  One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192    Phone: 408-924-7560   Email: mineta-institute@sjsu.edu