Past Events

California Transit Association's 59th Annual Fall Conference & Expo, hosted by VTA, was held on November 20-22, 2024, in San Jose. This is the transit conference for professionals of all levels – there really is something for everyone. Take a look at the full Agenda and note the plethora of networking opportunities, receptions, workshops, tours, and awards celebrations. 

*MTI was a proud partner of this event.

The Mineta Transportation Institute, with SJSU's Department of Urban and Regional Planning, participated in the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning 2024 Annual Conference in Seattle. As one of the largest events of the year for planning academics and professionals, the ACSP Annual Conference attracts faculty, researchers, and students from across the United States and from 30+ countries worldwide. The ACSP Annual Conference is known for furthering the success of the academic planning community. Attendees had the opportunity to visit the Community Connection Café and learn more about MTI/SJSU authors.

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

The global temperature is rising, and natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and landslides are becoming increasingly common and more severe. Research indicates the results of multi-hazard exposure and risk to rail infrastructure could be catastrophic. Delays from temperature alone could cost $45 to $60 billion by 2100. Approximately 27% of all global road and railway assets are exposed to at least one hazard annually and 7.5% are exposed to 1/100 year flood event. What is being done to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure and our communities?

Transportation professionals and researchers for the Southern Colorado Transportation Conference (SCTC) 2024 explored this urgent issue with the theme: Climate Resiliency for Railroad Infrastructure.

The event's featured speakers included Shane Ferguson, Director, Region 2, Colorado Department of Transportation, and Dr. Maryam Allahyar, Director, Research & Development, Federal Railroad Administration. Welcoming remarks were provided by Armando Valdez, President, CSU Pueblo, with closing remarks from Dr. Gail Mackin, Provost and Executive Vice President, CSU Pueblo. The event highlighted research findings from the Climate Change and Extreme Events Training and Research Program, funded by the Federal Railroad Administration.

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

This event is an annual and internationally recognized observance on October 11th. Like its adult version, International Women's Day (March 8), International Day of the Girl acknowledges the importance, power, and potential of adolescent girls. At the same time, this day is designated to eliminate gender-based challenges that little girls face around the world. By empowering girls through education, skills training, and mentorship, we can dismantle barriers and create a world where every girl can flourish. Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley celebrated the entire week of October 10th-15th and observed the 11th with an event.

"When I was younger, I wanted to be a scientist - but I had stopped that dream because I just hadn't seen a lot of women scientists. 

But today, I met a lot of amazing women with amazing careers. I met engineers, I met lawyers - I met scientists! I really needed this."

To learn more about the movement, visit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley's website. 

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

This Research Snaps webinar was co-sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

Public transit agencies function best when the diversity of their workforce represents the communities they serve—yet research finds mismatched representation, with fewer women and people of color in leadership positions and an overconcentration of men and people of color in operational roles. This Research Snaps was based on the MTI report Understanding Workforce Diversity in the Transit Industry: Establishing a Baseline of Diversity Demographics. The report authors shared the latest data on racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the U.S. transit workforce. They also dove into promising practices to help transit agencies attract and retain staff who reflect and embrace the vibrant diversity of their communities. 

Presenters: 

• Asha Weinstein Agrawal, PhD, Research Associate & Education Director, MTI
• Evelyn Blumenberg, PhD, Professor; Director, Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies in the Luskin School of Public Affairs, UCLA
• Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, PhD, Distinguished Professor; Interim Dean, Luskin School of Public Affairs and Professor of Urban Planning, UCLA

View the Recording.

View the Slides.

PDH Credit.

Silicon Valley Clean Cities’ annual Ride-and-Drive event is a great opportunity that allows participants to test drive electric and alternately fueled vehicles. Ride-and-Drive participants had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of vehicles from different manufacturers including Hyundai, Jaguar, Range Rover, Tesla, and Toyota. We hope that having this opportunity will both inspire test-drivers to consider purchasing an electric vehicle and educate attendees about the world of electric and alternatively fueled vehicles.

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

Cybersecurity threats are everywhere, and no organization is immune. While the volume of cyberattacks has increased exponentially, the bigger concern for most transit agencies is that the  average cost to recover from successful attacks has skyrocketed. While many transit operators have taken steps to improve cyber resiliency, others continue to assume they will not be targeted. How are insurance companies and regulators responding? This Research Snaps webinar featured discussion about recent evolutions in the cyber risk landscape and the impacts on transit. Expert speakers provided recommendations on how the different segments of the market can work together to manage the risk of cyber attacks in “Uncharted Territory: 2024 Cybersecurity Insurance and Transit Landscape.” 

Presenters: 

• Scott Belcher, Research Associate, MTI; Co-Founder, Cybrbase, LLC
• Todd Chollet, Risk Advisor and Cyber Practice Leader, Sunstar Insurance Group

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

View Recording

View PDH Credit

To ensure the efficient movement of people and products, we must prepare a new cohort of transportation professionals who are ready to lead a diverse, inclusive, and equitable transportation industry. To that end, MTI held its 32nd Annual Banquet and Convocation Celebration at San José State University on June 29, 2024. Joined by our distinguished Board of Trustees, we celebrated our 2024 MSTM graduates, alumni of the year, the winners of the Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition, and much more. 

This exciting MSTM celebration included individualized recognition of each graduate and award presentations.