WTS-LA once again successfully organized a transportation event that attracted industry leaders, transportation professionals, and students, who came together to network and learn about the current and future trends and issues that impact the rail system in Southern California.  METRANS facilitated the attendance of transportation students from local universities and all appreciate the generous donations of sponsors Alexandra Spencer, Arthur Schurr, John Livzey, USC METRANS, and Jacobs Engineering who made their attendance possible.

The panel was composed of a group of four members: (1) Jennifer Bergener, Director of Rail and Facilities/LOSSAN Managing Director, Orange County Transportation Authority, (2) Michelle Boehm, Southern California Regional Director, California High-Speed Rail Authority, (3) Elissa Konove, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Metrolink, and (4) Bryan Pennington, Deputy Chief Program Management Officer, Metro. The panel was moderated by the Honorable Yvonne B. Burke- USC Alumna and Former Los Angeles County Supervisor, Second District.

Multiple questions were posed to the panel members, and the themes involved various topics. Interagency collaboration, common goals, innovation, and diversity were the most discussed topics during the event.

1. Interagency Collaboration: This factor was noted to be critical for the success of rail projects that involved multiple stakeholders. Mr. Pennington stated that LA Metro is working very closely with stakeholders included in the eleven active rail projects. Ms. Konove agreed that one way to improve collaboration between stakeholders is to communicate regularly.

2. Common Goals:  The panel agreed that partners working together in rail projects should delineate mutual goals. Michelle Boehm said that no single agency has sufficient capacity and enough funding to accomplish rail projects alone. As transportation leaders, she shared, it is always necessary to keep in mind that the reduction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT), increase in mobility, and decrease in gas emissions are three main objectives of today’s rail industry.

3. Innovation: Innovation continues to be a popular topic in the transportation sector. Governments and public transportation agencies alike welcome new and innovative ideas from firms in the private sector, per the panel. Ms. Konove stated that Metrolink’s mobile app for ticketing has improved efficiency, tracking, and relations with customers. Similarly, Mr. Pennington shared that Phil Washington, LA Metro CEO, has created a new department called the Office of Extraordinary Innovation. This department receives proposals from private firms. If the idea has potential to improve mobility, then LA Metro is willing to launch a pilot project to see if the program is successful.

4. Diversity: Diversity within transportation agencies is agreed to be beneficial to the retention of employees as well as their productivity. Diversity also improves the way transportation agencies do business and respond to the demands of their diverse clients, customers and partners, panelists noted. Michelle Boehm said that “diversity and innovation are intertwined.” Rail problems and projects will be exposed to more innovative solutions as the transportation workforce becomes more diverse.

The students found the WTS-LA SoCal Regional Panel Discussion to be an informative and educational event that emphasized the success of rail experts depends on the four elements discussed above. Panelists continually emphasized that it is important for transportation agencies to design rail projects and plan operating strategies that interconnect these four elements.

Writer Wai Shong Chan 

Wai Shong Chan is a recent MPA graduate from the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California and recipient of the 2016 John Randolph and Dora Haynes Foundation Award for Outstanding Performance by an MPA Student. She has keen interests in transportation projects, economic development projects, urban planning, and intersectoral collaboration. She is an active member and volunteer for WTS-LA, WTS-OC and METRANS, and her career objective is to become a leader in the transportation industry.