Past Events

MTI proudly partnered with Hayward Unified School District’s Lorin Eden Elementary for their 2^nd annual STEAM Innovation Showcase featuring projects related to the theme Building a Better World. This exciting district-wide event was designed to share student work with the community and highlight innovative projects and programs in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math.

MTI held a photography contest open to all who take an interest in photography. MTI embraces diverse submissions and photographers to amplify the convergence of all voices. The 2021 theme for this contest was ground transportation with an emphasis on safety by diverse groups ranging in age, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Ground transportation methods including but not limited to autonomous vehicles, bicycling, micro-mobility, pedestrian access, public transit, etc. Safe transit practices should be observed in the images (i.e. helmets for bicyclists, e-scooters in bike lanes, etc.). 

This award ceremony celebrated the winners of the 2021 Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition and featured a keynote address by Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Chief Science Officer, U.S. Department of Transportation. 

2021 Garrett Morgan Awarding Ceremony (video)

MTI was proud to co-sponsor this year's Calcog Leadership Forum, focusing on "Resilient Regions." The conversation and top leaders discussed what California should be doing for "Pete's sake." This virtual conference completed with networking opportunities and roundtable discussions featuring a wide array of knowledgeable and enthusiastic speakers on pandemic challenges and recovery. 

In the quest for environmental quality as the pandemic subsides, many urban planners understand and appreciate that housing located within walking distance of rail stations and bus stops motivates many local residents to choose commuting on buses and trains rather than driving. But what about those park-and-ride (PnR) facilities for the commuters who choose to live in places beyond walking distance to transit? Attendees listened to the new research-based evidence on where parking provides a boost to bus and train ridership that is double to four times the impact of transit-adjacent housing. This webinar started the discussion of how transit agencies should react to the research.

View Recording.

View Slides.

MTI proudly participated in Sciencepalooza! where a winning team received the "MTI Innovative Transportation Project Award" and a prize of $200. 

Sciencepalooza! is a science fair for all East Side Union High School (ESUHSD) students, whether they're a first-time science fair participant, a returning participant, and/or someone who wants to get a head start on a project for the regional science fair a few weeks later. Usually 700-900 students from different grade levels participate to create the most authentic "real world" work they can. These projects require students to create solutions, meet deadlines, and explain their product/ project. 

CSU students participated in an informal information session with Drs. Asha W. Agrawal and Hilary Nixon to learn how to make the most of their TRB experience.

This webinar discussed the explored potential for ride-hailing services like Lyft and Uber to help meet the travel needs of older Californians. Using data from a survey of almost 3,000 Californians 55 and over, researchers analyzed how many older Californians have used ride-hailing, how they booked trips, what concerns they have about ride-hailing services, and their interest in potential new options for how to book and pay for trips.

View Recording.

View Slides.

WTS-SF Bay Area and the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) of San Jose State University hosted "Make the Connection: Next Stop Your Career." At this event, Bay Area university students studying transportation (all disciplines) were introduced to the many wonderful professional organizations in our region, including: 

• Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS)
• American Planning Association (APA) 
• American Public Works Association (APWA)
• Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)
• Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• Latinos in Transit (LiT)
• Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT)

Historically, cities have often been planned by and for white men. Studies show that women often have different needs and travel patterns, and different concerns about safety, particularly when walking, biking, and taking transit. Our panel has explored the experience of women traveling within and to downtown San José, how the current transportation options do and do not serve them, and identifed solutions to make our streets safer in order to create a transportation system that truly serves everyone.

WTS for the Downtown Transportation Plan Speaker Series focused on Women’s Perspectives on Transportation in Downtown San José. These are engaging conversations with San José community leaders and thought partners that are sparking innovative thinking around the future of San Jose’s downtown transportation.

Understanding how women travel in San José and in the Downtown area will be key to building a transportation system that works for everyone. This panel brought together experts in the transportation field in conversation with local community members:

• Dr. Asha W. Agrawal, Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose State University
• Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, University of California at Los Angeles
• Marcia Cohen, San José Senior Commission
• Victoria Partido, San José Community Leader
• Lola Torney, Valley Transportation Authority

Traffic congestion is a serious challenge for transportation professionals. It is also linked to negative environmental impacts, economic drawbacks, and a reduced quality of life. As successful urban areas expand, so do roads, and congestion increases. Unfortunately, no long-term solutions have been found, and many commuters are reluctant to alter their traditional driving habits in favor of carpooling. A recent case study, however, found that at $15 a day, half of people driving on a busy road would be willing to travel as passengers and another 23% would be willing to serve as drivers. Congestion-clearing Payments to Passengers looks at a long-standing bottleneck location on Highway 92 in Half Moon Bay, California and suggests a potential solution for the continuing problem of traffic congestion.

View Recording.

View Slides.

Road trips, often understood as an embodiment of American freedom, are an essential summertime activity for millions even amidst a global pandemic. New research and recent events, however, complicate the vision of the great American road trip by revealing how it has been shaped by democratic ideals, commercial interest, and nostalgia. Reexamining the road trip through a historical lens can inform the work of transportation professionals – especially in the context of the mobility revolution, social justice reform, and pandemic shutdowns.

View Recording.

View Slides. 

With the Fresno State Transportation Challenge, K-8 students in the Central Valley learn about transportation while making a positive impact in their communities. This interdisciplinary program, led by Fresno State Transportation Institute founder Professor Aly Tawfik, opens up exciting paths to careers in transportation. This webinar documented the challenges and best practices for leveraging university resources to effectively engage youth.

View Recording.

View Slides.

All in-person MTI events have been postponed until the global pandemic passes and the shelter in place directive is lifted. As a result, the 2020 Annual MTI Banquet and Convocation Celebration has been cancelled. 

Understandably, COVID-19 is at the top of many people's minds; however, a webinar is the perfect way to social distance while engaging in knowledgeable research discussions. Join the conversation from anywhere online. We look forward to future event opportunities that will allow us to continue in our mission to improve mobility for all.

Resources for Transportation Professionals

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens every aspect of transportation funding in California. State revenues from federal, state, regional, and local taxes and fees are all at risk.  Since California’s shelter-in-place order went into effect in March, the state has already faced plummeting revenues from gasoline taxes, tolls, transit fares, and sales taxes. These revenue sources will most likely continue to be severely threatened in the coming months and possibly even years. 

Panelists discussed the opportunities for every level of government to help recover transportation revenues in our uncertain future. Can we rely on our traditional mix of revenue sources? Will the COVID-19 crisis stimulate innovation in transportation finance? 

These and other revenue options were discussed at the 11th Annual Norman Y. Mineta National Transportation Policy Summit.

View Recording.

View e-program. 

​Much like Garrett Augstus Morgan, who, despite his humble beginnings as the son of slaves, recognized the importance of education, ideation, and entrepreneurship, we too are living in a time of great innovation. Most recently in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we’ve seen businesses adapt to ensure the safety of their employees and communities. Most significantly we’ve seen individuals and whole communities rally behind essential workers like nurses, service industry workers, and transit workers to ensure that they can continue to provide those critical services and keep all of us moving. And that is what we do in transportation: keep things moving. Regardless of this pandemic our  industry is always teeming with new ideas focused on sustainability, traffic reduction, active transit, and others. And that’s where this competition comes into play by highlighting the significant creativity and innovation of these incredible students who put together projects despite the challenges associated with their schools closing as a result of COVID-19. 

Congratulations to the winners: 

• In 3rd place and the winners of an official award plaque and $200 is American Indian Child Resource Center for their project ‘Day and Night,’ which looks into hybrid electric and solar charging stations for devices and double as light sources around transit stations! Congratulations!
• In 2nd place and the winners of an official award plaque and $300 is Aptos Middle School for their project ‘Eco Drive,’ which proposes a bioethanol powered car with CO2 absorbing components. Congratulations!
• Finally, in 1st place and the winners of $1,000 cash prize, a plaque, and a special recognition from our Trustees (drumroll) is California Montessori Project- Capitol Campus for their project ‘Fast. Easy. Smart: A Sustainable AV Plan for Cities,’ which proposes a system for the deployment of autonomous vehicles that meets societal needs as well as safety and environmental concerns. 

[In light of recommendations regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the event has been postponed.]

Martin Luther King Jr. Library room 225 | 10:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. | AICP CM Credits: 4.0 (pending)

“Redefining the American Dream: Silicon Valley’s Housing Crisis” will brought together planning professionals, experts and advocates to shed light on the housing challenges facing our region and explored potential solutions. The presentation will be focused on four areas:

HOUSING FOR BETTER HEALTH

A dialogue amongst health professionals, policymakers and advocates on the linkage between the lack of affordable housing and increasing public health concerns.

MISSING MIDDLE: ADUs, JDUs, MICROUNITS

A discussion on how new laws will help integrate diverse housing choices and density into residential zoning districts.

BIG TECH, DISPLACEMENT & GENTRIFICATION

Addressing big tech’s housing pledges and their role in displacement and gentrification in Silicon Valley.

HOMELESS & HUNGRY @ SJSU

Bringing awareness to the lives of the homeless student and faculty population at SJSU.

• Breakfast & Registration begins at 10:30am

• Panels start at 11:00am

• Lunch will be provided

• AICP | CM 4.0 Credits (Pending)

[In light of recommendations regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the conference was postponed until further notice.]

In light of recommendations from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the summit was postponed until further notice.

Women from all different backgrounds and walks of life gathered to discuss "What's Next?" 

This half-day confrence tackled difficult and important subjects such as:

1. State of Women's Health
2. Reproductive Rights and Justice
3. Ending Violence Against Women
4. Relationship Between Women and Homelessness
5. Navigating Demands of Career and Caregiving
6. Mentorship: Building the Pipeline
7. Gun Safety Regulation
8. Men and Women: Lean in or Out
9. Climate Action and Environmental Policy
10. Youth Panel: Mental Health, Vaping Epidemic and Sexual Assault
11. Confronting Women's Workplace Challenges
12. A lunch plenary session on Leadership: Step Up, Step Forward, and Stand Out

Get empowered, engaged and take action on issues affecting our communities.