Past Events

If a wildfire, earthquake, or cyber emergency impacts a transit system—what happens next? How do transportation agencies respond in an emergency? The use of an Incident Command System (ICS) allows for a uniform response method for emergencies and is required by FEMA and the FHWA. ICS, however, is rarely used by transportation personnel. Transportation and emergency response experts discussed the pros and cons of implementing ICS training for field-level transportation supervisors and staff. 

Presenters: 

• Frances L. Edwards, PhD, Deputy Director, National Transportation Security Center

• Dan Goodrich, Senior Transportation Security Scientist, National Transportation Security Center

Moderator: Karen Philbrick, PhD, Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)

View Recording

View PDH Credit

About the Panelist

Frances L. Edwards, PhD

Deputy Director, National Transportation Security Center

Frances L. Edwards, MUP, PhD, CEM, is professor emeritus of political science at San José State University, following 17 years as the Director of the Master of Public Administration program. She is the Deputy Director of the National Transportation Security Center at the Mineta Transportation Institute. A Certified Emergency Manager with over 20 years’ professional experience in California, she has served as acting assistant fire chief for the San José Fire Department, as Budget Analyst for the Irvine, California Police Department, and as Assistant to the City Manager in Florham Park, New Jersey. 

Dan Goodrich

Senior Transportation Security Scientist, National Transportation Security Center

Daniel C. Goodrich, MPA, CEM, MEP is a Senior Transportation Security Scientist with the Mineta Transportation Institute at SJSU, and the instructor for “Security Issues for Transportation Professionals” in the Master of Science in Transportation Management program. He is a Certified Emergency Manager, a Master Exercise Practitioner, a Professional Continuity Practitioner and a Certified Security Specialist. He provides emergency management planning and training support to Caltrans and Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority. 

Join Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition for Bike Month and Bike to Wherever Days!

Whether you bike every day or once every couple of months — or want to learn how — you’re invited to join thousands in celebration of the humble bicycle. May is Bike Month, and we’d love to have you, your friends and your family pledge to ride with us for Bike to Wherever Days, Thursday - Saturday, May 16 - 18.

Here’s how to get started:

• Pledge to Ride during Bike to Wherever Days. Your pledge is free. It supports healthy, safe and joyful community and biking. And we’ll help make your great rides happen.

• Bay Area Bike Challenge - 30,000 Miles for 30 Years of BTWD. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bike to Work Day by participating. Take the Challenge.

• Celebrate with our great lineup of free biking classes and rides in your area to help you roll, our events calendar, plus a free, specially designed Bike to Wherever Days 2024 tote bag, enthusiastic support from Energizer Stations in your neighborhood, and chances to win prizes from local bike shops.

• Spread the word of Bike to Wherever Days 2024 — see the media kit.

• We need you! We’re seeking Energizer Station hosts now and volunteers for bike-bag stuffing and distribution parties and more!

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

The Garrett Morgan competition teams and affiliated students joined MTI for insider insights into the excitement and challenges of cutting-edge transportation careers. Which subjects in high school pave the way for an exciting high-speed rail job? What are the toughest challenges faced by those working in autonomous vehicle technology companies? Two real-world transportation professionals discussed what it takes to tackle issues of sustainability, safety, equity, and more!

Guest Speakers:

• Yaqeline Castro, Outreach and Student Engagement Specialist, California High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA)
• Dan Pritchell, Policy Operations - Showcases Lead, Waymo

View Recording.

Yaqeline Castro, Outreach and Student Engagement Specialist, California High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA)

As the Student Outreach Specialist, Yaqeline Castro is responsible for stakeholder outreach and strengthening relationships with students and educational institutions statewide. In addition, she supports general stakeholder outreach and external event planning for the communications team and oversees the student I Will Ride program.

Yaqeline first joined the Authority in 2019 as an Executive Fellow with the Capital Fellows program. During her placement year, she was mentored by the Chief of Strategic Communications.

Prior to her time with the Authority, Yaqeline has worked as a policy intern at the US Department of Education strengthening Hispanic student pathways and opportunities in addition to serving three years with the Orientation Department at University of California Merced.

Yaqeline studied anthropology at University of California Merced and has a graduate certificate in public policy from California State University Sacramento. Yaqeline is currently a graduate student at San Jose State’s Master of Science in Transportation Management with a concentration in High-Speed and Intercity Rail Management.

Dan Pritchell, Policy Operations - Showcases Lead, Waymo

Dan Pritchell serves as the Policy Showcases Lead at Waymo - formerly the Google self-driving car project - which makes it safe and easy for people & things to get around with autonomous vehicles. Previously he was the City and Community Engagement Senior Manager at Nuro, working with local governments in Arizona and California regarding Nuro’s autonomous vehicle testing and future services. Prior to joining Nuro Dan co-founded Sheprd, an ‘Uber for Kids’ child transportation startup in Boston, MA, as well as worked for a variety of political campaigns in federal, state, and local elections. Dan earned an M.B.A from UCLA Anderson and a B.A. in Political Studies from Pitzer College.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Mineta Transportation Institute hosted a series of virtual fireside chats with a diverse panel of women transportation leaders at the apex of success in academia, public and private industries, and the nonprofit sector. During the webinar, participants explored compelling personal narratives and leadership journeys and gained valuable insights into how these leaders balance assertiveness with emotional intelligence, overcoming stereotypes and dispelling misconceptions about perceived weakness. Featured guests also shared invaluable insights as we dove into the profound impact of reshaping perspectives and championing women in the transportation industry and beyond.

Featured Guest: Jannet Walker-Ford, Senior Vice President & Principal Director - National Transit & Rail Business Line Leader, WSP

Moderator: Karen Philbrick, PhD, Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)

View the Recording.

PDH Credit.

*0.5 PDH credit available

About Jannet Walker-Ford

Jannet Walker-Ford is a nationally recognized transportation industry executive with WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy. A tireless advocate for equity in transportation and the power of public transit to transform communities, Walker-Ford has more than two decades of diverse expertise including management consulting, technology, mobility, and transportation systems. With a focus on equity, sustainability and community building she has served in executive leadership and strategic advisor roles on ground-breaking programs and projects for large transit and transportation agencies across the U.S. She regularly draws on her two decades of experience for national consultancy firms and as the Deputy General Manager/Deputy CEO and CIO at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. 

In her role with WSP, she serves as the senior vice president & national transit and rail business leader, responsible for leading and growing the firm’s business in national transit and rail markets including the national practices for freight delivery, passenger rail, systems, technical project delivery, bus rapid transit and zero emissions. At every opportunity, Jannet leads with gratitude – continually recognizing her team, clients and industry partners for their contributions and accomplishments. 

Recognized by Railway Age as a 2023 Woman-in-Rail, she serves on multiple national boards including the current Chair of WTS International and the APTA Executive Committee and has received numerous awards recognizing her success and advocacy including the 2022 American Public Transportation Association’s Business Member of the Year; 2021 WTS Northeast Florida Woman of the Year, 2019 Women of Color STEM Technology All-Star Award; and a 2019 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ Women Who Move the Nation honoree.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Mineta Transportation Institute hosted a series of virtual fireside chats with a diverse panel of women transportation leaders at the apex of success in academia, public and private industries, and the nonprofit sector. During the webinar, participants explored compelling personal narratives and leadership journeys and gained valuable insights into how these leaders balance assertiveness with emotional intelligence, overcoming stereotypes and dispelling misconceptions about perceived weakness. Featured guests also shared invaluable insights as we dove into the profound impact of reshaping perspectives and championing women in the transportation industry and beyond.

Featured Guest: Veronica Vanterpool, Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Moderator: Karen Philbrick, PhD, Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)

*0.5 PDH credit available

View the Recording.

PDH Credit.

About Veronica Vanterpool

Veronica Vanterpool is FTA’s Acting Administrator, assuming that role on February 24, 2024. Before that, she served as Deputy Administrator for 2 ½ years. She first joined FTA as Senior Advisor in August 2021. Ms. Vanterpool helps advance the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration related to equity, climate, innovation, safety and workforce development.

Ms. Vanterpool helps oversee policy priorities and objectives along with day-to-day operations of the 700-person agency. She created FTA’s first Data Office, a new business line in the agency dedicated to data analysis, governance and communication. She also represents FTA on the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation and serves as a member of the White House Inter Policy Council on Puerto Rico.

Ms. Vanterpool came to FTA from Delaware Transit Corporation, where she served as the agency’s first Chief Innovation Officer. Her previous roles include being the Deputy Director of the national Vision Zero Network, executive director of the New York City based Tri-State Transportation Campaign and board member of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Having served on a number of boards, commissions, task forces and working groups, Ms. Vanterpool has 17 years of experience in advocacy, policy, media communications, public outreach, coalition building and issue campaigns. She is co-founder and former president of the Delaware Chapter of WTS; a member of Latinos in Transit, and a 2023 Awardee of COMTO’s Women Who Moves the Nation. She was also selected to join the first cohort of the Biden Administration’s Presidential Leadership Workshop.

She is a native New Yorker born and raised in The Bronx.

*This event was co-sponsored by High Speed Rail Alliance.

The City of San Jose and high-speed rail thought leaders discussed best practices and lessons learned from developing and running high-speed rail stations. They also explored the intricacies of planning, designing, and developing mixed-use station areas and multimodal passenger facilities that enable a safe, comfortable, and seamless travel experience.

This webinar was created for planners, policymakers, transit managers, and others passionate about shaping the future of HSR and station areas. 

Agenda Highlights:

• Station Area Development

• First-/Last-Mile Connections

• Transit-Oriented Development Best Practices

• Discussions & Q&A

Speakers:

• Eric Eidlin, Station Planning Manager, City of San Jose

• Ramses Madou, Division Manager of Planning, Policy, and Sustainability for the Department of Transportation, City of San Jose

Moderator: Karen Philbrick, PhD, Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI)

PDH Certificate

View Recording

WTS-SF Bay Area and the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) of San Jose State hosted this free virtual event "Connect for Your Career: An Introduction to Professional Associations in Transportation" that introduced university students and emerging professionals to Northern California transportation organizations that offer networking, professional development opportunities, and/or scholarship opportunities. 

Participating organizations include:

• American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
• American Planning Association (APA) 
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT)
• Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP)
• Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• Intelligent Transportation Society of California (ITS California)
• Latinos in Transit (LiT)
• Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS)
• Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT)

View Slides.

View Recording.

As the transit industry is poised to take advantage of the largest transit and rail investment in our lifetimes, the symposium provides a platform where transit experts share insights on how evidence-based research is being or can be, used to make the most of these opportunities in a changing environment. This year’s symposium focused on the following topics:

• Practical applications of transit data
• Transit fare policy
• Transit equity
• Transit marketing and outreach strategies
• Transit-centered multimodal integration (e.g., MaaS)
• Transit apps and digital payments
• Microtransit and automated shuttles
• Bus fleet electrification
• Post-COVID ridership recovery strategies
• Opportunities and challenges to transit research implementation

The Symposium was convened by a partnership between APTA, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), University of Florida Transportation Institute, the T-SCORE University Transportation Center, and the Mineta Transportation Institute. 

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.