June 10, 2019
IT’S A WRAP: #ITSDC2019
What a great week we had in Washington, DC! From keynotes and panels to demonstrations and sessions…and sessions and sessions, ITS America’s 28th Annual Meeting and Expo was a resounding success. More than 2,400 attendees showed up in force for “Intelligent Mobility – Safer, Greener, Smarter.”
Before the meeting began, the Mobility on Demand (MOD) Alliance held its second forum in two months. LA DOT’s Phil Washington talked about how technology innovations are changing the mobility landscape; AWS’ Phil Silver stressed that the role of the IoT in MOD can’t be overstated; and panelists representing Ford, DDOT, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the University of Washington discussed the challenging issue of how to deal with data sharing.
The Joint National Organizations meeting on advancing roadway automation readiness featured speakers from ITS America, ITE, AASHTO and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In addition, newly confirmed FHWA Administrator Nicole Nason spoke to the ITS America board of directors, stressing her commitment to safety and reducing pedestrian deaths.
Jeff Klei, President of Continental North America, had a clear message in the opening keynote – “safety is not an option.” He outlined how technology can save lives and challenged all attendees to act. The “Safer, Greener, Smarter” panel, which featured public and private sector executives, covered a range of issues, including the importance of preserving the 5.9 GHz spectrum to save lives of pedestrians and other vulnerable users of the system. And Paul Misener talked about Amazon’s customer obsession and the importance of not being afraid to fail.
And what else?
· A bustling exhibit hall, with more than 130 exhibitors;
· Best of ITS award winner Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Connected Vehicle Pilot, presented by HNTB and Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority;
· Florida and Arizona ITS chapters named Divisions I and II winners (respectively), and ITS Carolinas awarded with the State Chapters Council Special Recognition award;
· Demonstrations and Emergency Response Day;
· The State DOT Roundtable, split up in two sessions because so many leaders participated;
· Six executive sessions over two days;
· House Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chair Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), reflecting on DC’s fascination with emerging mobility options;
· U.S. DOT’s plenary, with leaders from multiple modes discussing their ITS research goals and programs;
· The second annual Women in ITS Breakfast, with an all-star panel that discussed equity and mobility as a right, among other salient issues; and
· The 2020 Los Angeles World Congress kick off reception, complete with palm trees and a photo booth.
While #ITSDC2019 is in the rearview mirror, World Congress 2020 is 16 months away and counting – mark your calendars for The New Age of Mobility, October 4-8. The website is live, exhibit sales have started, and program details will be added on a rolling basis.
Thank you for all you do to help ITS America move toward a safer, greener and smarter future.
