Elliott McFadden

I'm thrilled and honoured to join this Bus Network Design panel event with Jarrett Walker and Julian Moss on June 13th, sponsored and hosted by WSP and sponsored by Podaris, JARRETT WALKER & ASSOCIATES, LLC and the Transport Planning Society. You can join us in-person in Birmingham, or you can join online as well! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eNVV8bfp In my time working in public transportation, I've never seen a more exciting time for the sector, full of existential risks and opportunities alike, and I can't wait for this panel to delve into them. On one hand, the pandemic still echoes throughout the sector, with its resulting challenges in ridership and budgets, and possibly longer-term shifts in travel patterns and purposes. This has fed into sociopolitical challenges such as conspiracy theories about 15-minute cities, and the political weaponisation of rhetoric around the so-called "war on drivers". On the other hand, there has never been a broader or more vibrant movement towards urbanism, with public transport now being increasingly discussed in the way that it should be: as a holistic part of making cities more liveable, vibrant, and sustainable, with public transport playing an integral role alongside broader urbanism strategies, such as creating walkable, bikeable, and and mix-used neighbourhoods. I'm encouraged by the fact that these discussions aren't just happening in the halls of academia, but are going viral on Youtube and TikTok. Good urbanism has never been more popular, and that can only be to the benefit of public transport. And then there's the third hand, where changes in technology -- micromobility, automation, new operating paradigms for app-enabled Demand Responsive Transport, and much more -- fall firmly into the "it's complicated" bucket, offering many opportunities for both beneficial and complementary capabilities, as well as the potential for distractions and mis-steps. In short, we're living in Interesting Times, with plenty of implications for how one should plan a bus network. I can't think of better co-panelists to discuss this with. Jarrett's writings have been hugely influential worldwide, and for excellent reason: they're derived not from decades of experience with planning minutia -- although he certainly has that! -- but rather from a first-principles human-values-based philosophy that impels us to think about what really truly matters in transport planning, and then translates these timeless imperatives into concrete actionable strategies. Meanwhile, thanks to the way he's driven the adoption of Podaris at WSP, and the ringside seat that's given me, I've been privileged to see how Julian Moss's principled work has positively shaped a huge number of public transport initiatives across the UK. This is going to be a great conversation, and I hope to see you there!

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This may not be an easily achieved solution, but this is a proposal that should spark serious conversation about how we fund and develop public transit... as well as on our over-dependence on cars and what they do to our community, safety and environment. https://lnkd.in/ex4s69Pk

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U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition unveils roadmap with guidance on how to launch high-speed rail project June 17, 2024 The first-of-its-kind action plan is intended to equip advocates with practical tips, realistic expectations and strategic support as they work to launch new high-speed train projects in their regions. The U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition unveiled a roadmap with guidance on how to launch a high-speed rail project. The first-of-its-kind action plan is intended to equip advocates with practical tips, realistic expectations and strategic support as they work to launch new high-speed train projects in their regions.  “High-speed rail lines are complex megaprojects with unique challenges,” said Bernard Cohen, senior advisor for planning and operations at Alternate Concepts Inc., as well as former Massachusetts Department of Transportation secretary and the principal author of the roadmap. “We’ve created a practical guide that demystifies what’s involved in launching a new high-speed rail project.”  The report, “High-Speed Rail Projection Initiation: A Roadmap for Advocates”, focuses on five key building blocks of success:   Organization   Technical planning   Strategic engagement   Project funding   Compelling communications  The report argues that long-term, strategic advocacy campaigns are required to launch new high-speed projects. When designing campaigns, advocates must be fully aware of potential pitfalls, as well as likely sources of support and opposition.    The roadmap notes that a recent survey by Public Policy Polling for the Coalition found that 72 percent of U.S. registered voters support the creation of a nationwide high-speed rail network in the U.S. According to Ezra Silk, political director of the U.S. High-Speed Rail Coalition, a major goal of the report is to help build a grassroots movement for a national high-speed rail network.  “Launching high-speed rail involves technical experts but you don’t need to be a transportation planner to take the lead in bringing high-speed rail to your community,” Silk said. “Millions of Americans want high-speed rail and this report will help give them the tools they need to turn their bullet train dreams into reality.”  The roadmap was designed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. In May, the 600,000-member union announced a voluntary recognition agreement with Siemens Mobility to represent workers who will build the trainsets for the Brightline West high-speed rail project that will connect Las Vegas, Nev., to southern California by 2028. 

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Zamora’s public transport system was fully mapped for the first time, revealing fewer routes and vehicles than expected, leading to more informed urban mobility planning. https://buff.ly/4eqvw4t #informaltransport #populartransport #Americas #NorthAmerica #Mexico #Zamora #cityplanning #urbandesign #urbanism #urbanismo #urbanplanner #urbanplanning #inclusiveplanning #mapping #GIS #OpenStreetMap #TrufiAssociation

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The Center for Transportation and the Environment has just published a comprehensive guidebook to help transit agencies navigate the complexities of transitioning to a zero-emission bus (ZEB) fleet. With practical, accessible advice, this guidebook outlines key considerations like range limitations, infrastructure needs, and workforce development, ensuring a smoother transition. A well-developed ZEB Transition Plan is crucial to avoid unnecessary costs, delays, and operational challenges as battery & fuel cell buses become an increasing part of the fleet. This guide is a must-read for transit agencies ready to take the next step toward a sustainable, zero-emission future. 🔗 https://hubs.la/Q02ZcBsP0 #ZeroEmission #FuelCellElectricBus #Hydrogen #PublicTransit #ZEB

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We often hear from transportation agencies that they want a predictable and long term source of funding to build their connected vehicle (V2X) infrastructure so they do not have to cut back on other important projects. P3Mobility has an answer for this.  Public-Private Partnerships (P3) for V2X infrastructure. Alternative delivery is no longer just for toll roads, bridges, managed express lanes, or EV infrastructure. We bring experienced P3 partners who are interested in financing the investment, delivery, operations, and maintenance of V2X infrastructure. Download our white paper on why P3 partnerships are a good fit for V2X deployments. https://hubs.ly/Q02Gy0hL0 #trafficsafety #connectedvehicles #v2x

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This morning, Federal Transit Administration announced 117 project awards to transition bus fleets to #zereoemission. I'm happy to share that Los Angeles Metro received $77.5 million -- the nation's second largest award -- for battery electric buses and charging infrastructure at Division 7 in WeHo. My gratitude to three powerhouse teams, Federal/State Policy & Programming, who prepared the grant, Community Relations, who garnered local support for the project, and Government Relations, who made the case in DC that Metro was deserving of the award. Thanks also to our consultant team at WSP who set the application up for success. My gratitude extends to the Biden Administration and lawmakers who passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that authorized the critical and timely infusions to federal discretionary grant programs. Aggressive conversion to zero emission is expensive and risky. For #publictransit agencies, which tend to be fiscally conservative and risk-averse, the BIL represents the kind of vital and necessary federal leadership that will support achievement of our goals for transportation #decarbonization. Unfortunately, like many discretionary grant infusions authorized by the BIL, the influx of LoNo funds will sunset after FY26, which means that their annual allocations are likely to return to pre-COVID levels. However, without these funds, our public fleets are not likely to meet our transition timelines. Besides making the case to lawmakers to extend discretionary (and formula) grant infusions, the best thing those of us in the zero-emission transit space can do is to get these funds put to good use as quickly as possible, leading by deployment, and to demonstrate what an impact these awards make for our agencies and our communities. Congrats to friends and colleagues at other agencies who received awards. Let's get (back) to it!

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FTA awards $1.5 billion in bus grants July 10, 2024 FTA prioritized awards that will help strengthen U.S. bus manufacturing, stabilize the cost of new buses and accelerate the delivery of new vehicles. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $1.5 billion in bus grants to support 117 projects that will improve public transportation in 47 states. The funding comes from the Low- or No-Emission Program and the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program, which will help transit agencies replace aging buses, reduce air pollution, provide good-paying jobs and improve the reliability of transit systems. "Today, another 117 communities across 47 states are receiving the good news that their transit buses are being modernized and their commutes improved through President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," said U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "The Biden-Harris Administration is helping agencies replace old buses running on dirtier, expensive fuels by delivering modern and zero-emission buses, manufactured by American workers, that will connect more people to where they need to go.” USDOT notes about 80 percent of the buses being funded will run on zero- or low-emission technology, reducing air pollution and helping meet the country’s goal of zero emissions by 2050. The funding programs also advance President Joe Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which sets the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain federal investments in climate, clean energy, clean transportation and other areas flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. "Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are creating new opportunities to improve the lives of millions of Americans who rely daily on buses," said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. "These grants will help deliver cleaner and greener transportation, designed to reach everyone and to work for everyone, particularly in places that haven’t received enough resources in the past." For this year's selections, FTA prioritized awards that will help strengthen U.S. bus manufacturing, stabilize the cost of new buses and accelerate the delivery of new vehicles. Of the 117 projects selected, 47 projects totaling $817 million are from applicants that committed to procuring standard model buses or using a joint procurement. FTA notes that buying standardized bus models without customization can shorten manufacturing timelines and contain costs. In response to the Notice of Funding Opportunity, FTA received 477 eligible project proposals, totaling $9 billion in requests. The full list of projects being funded can be found on FTA’s website. 

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"Governance" is a wonky word, but what it really raises are values like "responsiveness," "customer service," "accountability, "and "efficiency," as well as issues like "who decides" and "who gets served." Those are the real stakes Chicagoland and the SF Bay Area need to address as they work to finally remedy the governance fragmentation that has inhibited improvement of public transit for their residents. Outright "consolidation" may or may not be the right answer - the right answer needs to be identified not in terms of form, but in terms of optimized outcomes for the public. https://lnkd.in/esmZ34e4

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Facing overcrowded buses & surge in demand, DRT takes action! Changes underway to improve transit, like reallocating resources to high-demand areas, & expanding the fleet. Click the link below to know more https://lnkd.in/euZZhY9m

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BRT projects can contribute to enhanced #mobility by providing efficient, accessible and sustainable #transportation. HNTB's Sean Libberton and E. Gregory Thorpe, PE share insights on a collaborative program management approach that can streamline delivery to bring that vision to reality. https://bit.ly/3xM7eS5

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Some interesting highlights on the current state of US public transit vehicles from American Public Transportation Association. Now we know that there are currently over 1,100 ‘zero-emission’ vehicles in service across various cities and towns in the US. And of particular interest is the fact that 32% of buses on order are ‘battery electric buses’. This represents a great shift in country that’s generally percived to be ‘pro-private car’. And whilst there’s lots of federal money been thrown at adoption of low/zero emission public transit vehicles, efficiency of the US local supply chain when it comes to vehicle assembly and after sales is still posing a very big challenge. With the likes of Proterra and Van Hool going bankrupt, this leaves just only two bus manufacturing companies serving a country half the size of Europe (!). It becomes even more challenging when you factor in the ‘Buy America’ regulations attached to the federal funding. This ‘market distortion’, albeit unintended, has now created an ‘oligopoly’ market structure, which of course impacts pricing. Whilst this might not actually be problem for operators and transit agencies because govt is mostly responsible for writing off the cost of acquition of these buses through federal grants, operators/transit agencies still have to contend with procurement of spare parts (after sales). And with just two companies, we have seen lead time for delivery of parts increase significantly, thus impacting vehicle downtime. So if the US transit system is going to get ahead in this game of bus electrification, then the current friction in the local supply network needs to be fixed. As it is right now, it takes an average of almost one year from order to delivery of new electric bus in the US. Whereas, I can have a new electric bus ordered and shipped to me anywhere in the world from China in less than six months. #publictransit

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Mobility in America is dependent on highway corridors. These stretches of road link towns, and they have a unique relationship with geography. When engineers design infrastructure, they must consider how these long stretches of road will interact with the landscape.   Read Highway Corridors by Ryan Curtiss and American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) at the link below! #iija #infrastructure #highway #highwayconstruction #constructionfunding #infrastructurefunding #engineering #RoadsAndBridges

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"A March 2024 study from the Urban Institute found that priority bus lanes could increase access to jobs and reduce costs for the transit agency by enabling buses to move faster. But that’s only if the lanes are kept clear of passenger vehicles, delivery trucks and other lane violators. To do so, cities including LA, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., have turned to automated camera enforcement." - Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive #publictransit #publictransportation #buslanes #transportationequity #ai #computervision #visionai https://lnkd.in/eY2kNqVd

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Thanks John Juniker, MBA for sharing your knowledge and lessons learned with the industry - well done.

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