Past Events

This Research Snaps webinar was co-sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

New developments are popping up everywhere, and bringing more economic opportunities, more community engagement, more trips to new and exciting places—and more driving. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is working with partners to develop a program to reduce the amount of driving generated from new developments, and they called on a team from the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) and San José State University (SJSU) students for help. This collaboration provided assistance in creating an equity framework for VTA’s proposed Equitable Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Program. During the event, attendees heard from the researchers about identified strategies for equitable VMT mitigation programs and effective community engagement processes and how they can be applied to other jurisdictions.

Presenter: Serena Alexander, PhD, MTI Research Associate; Associate Professor, Northeastern University

Moderator: Hilary Nixon, PhD, Deputy Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)

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This Research Snaps webinar was co-sponsored by SJSU's Spatial Analytics and Visualization (SAVI) Center.

Bike networks are growing nationwide—including in San José, which is keen on becoming “one of the most bike-friendly cities in North America.” Expanding bike networks and allocating funds require careful planning to ensure a fair distribution of bike infrastructure, but most assessment methods neglect differences in bike path classes that provide different safety and comfort levels for cyclists. MTI experts discussed an equity assessment of San José’s bike infrastructure, driven by a weighting system for different safety and comfort levels of the urban bike network, and what it could mean for traffic congestion, sustainability, and Bay Area communities. 

Presenter: Ahoura Zandiatashbar, PhD, SJSU Assistant Professor, MTI Research Associate.

Moderator: Hilary Nixon, PhD, Deputy Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)

*0.5 PDH credit available

View the Recording.

PDH Credit.

The Urban Planning Coalition (UPC) at San José State University hosted its annual Spring Symposium. This year's symposium focused on An Exploration in Urban Planning Careers, providing insights into various career paths within the field of urban planning.

The symposium featured expert speakers and panel discussions covering crucial aspects of urban planning, including transportation planning, housing, and environmental planning. It provided an excellent opportunity for students and professionals interested in urban planning to network, gain valuable knowledge, and explore potential career prospects.

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

In celebration of the 2024 Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition, USDOT Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research, Development, and Technology's Director Dr. Firas Ibrahim and MTI's Executive Director Dr. Karen Philbrick hosted the annual winner announcement. 

Garrett Augustus Morgan (1877-1963) was one of seven children born in Kentucky to former slaves. After enduring the challenges of farming in the South and having to quit school to earn a living at the age of 14, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. While working as a handyman in Ohio, Morgan hired a tutor to continue his education, influencing him to open his own business as a clothing manufacturer and start a successful newspaper. Garrett Morgan's innovative drive led him to obtain many patents, but one of his most prominent inventions, the three-way traffic signal, was designed to make roads safer for everyone, especially pedestrians. It is not only for his inventions, but for his innovative spirit and determination for continued education in the face of adversity that MTI is proud to honor this trailblazer through the Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition. This year, competing teams were from California and Oklahoma, including the Hamlin School, Peter Hansen Elementary School, Julius Cordes Elementary School, Juan Cabrillo Middle School, Kennedy Middle School, Shawnee Middle School, Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council - Boy Scouts of America, Tom Matsumoto Elementary School, Troop 492 - Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council, Troop 492 - Cupertino Rotary Club, Thornton Middle School, William Hopkins Middle School, and Christa McAuliffe Middle School.