Preparing for and coping with extreme weather events such as last fall’s Hurricane Sandy are linked to sustainability efforts and service planning, FTA Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan said at the joint luncheon of the 2013 APTA Sustainability and Public Transportation and Multimodal Operations Planning workshops, July 28-31 in San Francisco.

“The facts of climate change are startling. Climate and weather disasters in 2012 cost the American economy more than $100 billion—$65 billion from Superstorm Sandy alone,” McMillan said.

She also noted that the biggest driver of climate change is carbon pollution and the transportation sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but now transportation “can be part of the solution.”

For example, public transportation agency and business members are introducing clean-vehicle fleets and planning for more efficient commutes, actions that McMillan said will help achieve the public transportation-related objectives in President Barack Obama’s recently released Climate Action Plan.

After McMillan spoke, APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy called the APTA member systems and businesses that achieved higher recognition to the stage to accept certificates for their progress in APTA’s Sustainability Commitment.

Energy efficiency and productivity were central topics of the workshop. Melaniphy referenced new recommendations from the Alliance Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy, of which he is a member, citing transportation’s role in increasing America’s energy productivity. “Investing $79 billion in more productive transportation systems, including public transportation, would allow the United States to save $218 billion in energy costs by 2030, for a net savings of $139 billion,” he said.

More than 300 public transportation officials attended the co-located workshops, which offered panel presentations, technical tours, and peer exchange sessions focused on best practices and industry trends.

Sustainability Workshop
As the Sustainability and Public Transportation Workshop opened, Melaniphy said the program was designed with public transit leaders and business members in mind: “You’re the people who implement economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable practices at your systems and businesses. You’re the people who actually put theories into practice. And with your efforts, our industry will be one of the key players helping to lead North America into a sustainable 21st ­century.”

Kevin Desmond, general manager, King County Metro Transit, Seattle, and chair of APTA’s Sustainability Steering Committee, discussed the work of the Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities, comprising DOT, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency. “These agencies together are making dynamic, large-scale efforts to craft policies that reflect the big picture—that transportation goes hand in hand with housing, with the environment,” he said.

Grace Crunican, general manager, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), discussed her agency’s role in the region as population increases and personal vehicle trips are constrained, and addressed the agency’s ongoing state of good repair funding needs.

Edward Reiskin, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) director of transportation, talked about the success of an integrated multimodal transportation approach for San Francisco, an initiative his agency is leading by integrating parking, public transit, transportation planning, and taxi regulation in a combined approach to reduce congestion. BART and SFMTA served as hosts for the workshop.

Speakers from across California reinforced the value of planning for sustainable outcomes at the local, regional, and state levels. They also discussed the impact of legislation that established the carbon cap-and-trade system in the state, which requires municipalities to have a Sustainable Communities Strategy targeted at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved land use and transportation planning.

The workshop also focused on performance measurement and tools, a topic highlighted at a peer exchange session; climate change adaptation and resiliency, planning, design, and operations; business practices; and sustainable communities. The workshop’s final day opened with a discussion on energy management policy and practice and concluded with a lunch panel on the future of federal partnerships.

Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop
The 2013 Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop, co-hosted by SFMTA and the San Mateo County Transit District, featured a wide range of speakers who shared their experiences and lessons learned at ­public transit agencies of all sizes. New and veteran planners attended the workshop to share progress, challenges, and best practices.

Specific session topics included public transit planning for special events and natural disasters, incorporating Title VI in the service planning process, planning for facilities, updates on new and existing operations, balancing resources with demand, and expanding into new markets.

New this year was a display of ­public transit system maps submitted by attendees for review by other workshop attendees. The winner, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, CA, received the “Steve Perry Award,” named for a late industry leader who was highly involved in multimodal issues and best practices for system ­mapmaking.

Workshop sponsors included HDR, URS, Parsons Brinckerhoff, ARCADIS U.S., ICF International, and BAE Systems HybriDrive propulsion systems.

Photos by Kevin Gonzales APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy, far right, and Sustainability Committee Chair Kevin Desmond, third from left, join recipients of certificates recognizing their high level of achievement in sustainability initiatives as part of APTA’s Sustainability Commitment.

Jim Moore, outgoing chair of the APTA Multimodal Operations Planning Subcommittee, and service planner, Sound Transit, Seattle, addresses attendees of the Multimodal Operations Planning Workshop.

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