Accelerate Summer 2023 - Transportation: The Great Connector

A PUBLICATION OF THE CONFERENCE OF MINORITY TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS

TRANSPORTATION: THE GREAT CONNECTOR

STATE OF COMTO LETTER

Examining the progress in year one of a three-year Strategic Plan. p. 8

WORKFORCE TRAINING

The growing disconnect between the rising number of available construction jobs and the skillsets of the populace. p. 11

TRANSIT AS THE GREAT CONNECTOR

By LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins p. 13

2023 CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO MOVE THE NATION Award Winners. p. 22

National Leadership

NATIONAL CHAIR

Tanya Adams

Senior Vice President, Inclusion & Diversity WSP USA

FIRST VICE CHAIR

Dr. Lester Woods

Chief Administrative Officer Missouri Department of Transportation (Modot)

SECOND VICE CHAIR

Gwendolen Gray

Project Controls Director & Vice President HNTB

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Michelle Hiett

Chief Executive Officer

Hie-Den, LLC

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Freddie Fuller

Vice President, Geographic Sales Manager Mid-Atlantic Jacobs

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Regine Beauboeuf, PE

Senior Vice President, Program Equity Advisor HNTB

Yvette Janniere-Houlder

Lead Program Management, Enterprise Applications Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State Of New York (MTA )

Ruben Landa

Assistant Vice President / Texas Business LeaderCommunications & Public Involvement WSP USA

Melissa Rolle-Scott

Transit Section Chief, Office Of Safety & Security

Miami-Dade Department Of Transportation & Public Works (DTPW )

Keisha Campbell

Chief Diversity & Culture Officer

Toronto Transit Commission

COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS REPRESENTATIVE

Quincy Howard

Assistant Chief, Minority Business Development Ohio Department of Development

Demauris Terry

Executive Vice President/COO BA Inc.

Bianca Graves

Director, Business Services

Leading Edge Business Solutions, LLC

BOARD ADVISORS

Renee Banks

President & Chief Communications Officer G. W. Peoples Contracting Co., Inc. (GWP)

Christian Kent

Principal

Transit Management Consulting, LLC

Council of Presidents

CHAPTER PRESIDENT

Alabama ................................. Brenda Perryman

Arizona ................................ Gary Flunoy

Atlanta ................................ Aaron Davis

Austin ................................. Yannis Banks

Boston ................................. Aboubacar Konate

Central Florida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iranetta Dennis

Chicago ................................ Rovaughn Graham

Cincinnati .............................. Adriene Hariston

Cleveland .............................. Jarrett Davis

Colorado............................... Marsha Nelson

Columbus .............................. Quincy Howard

Connecticut ............................ Sharon Okoye

District of Columbia ..................... Robyn Jackson

Ft. Lauderdale .......................... Rogelio Hendricks

Hampton Roads ......................... Keisha Branch

Hawaii ................................. Tracy Adams

Houston ............................... Steve Granson

Jacksonville ............................ Donovan Calicker

Kansas City............................. Maurice Gay

Louisiana .............................. Joshua Harrouch

Maryland .............................. Enyinna Anthony

Miami ................................. Gregory Robinson

Michigan ............................... Bianca Graves

Minnesota .............................. Tekia Jefferson

Nashville ............................... Kia Lewis

New York .............................. Rich Watson

North Texas ............................ Marvin Jackson

Northern California...................... Jesus Vargas

Oregon/SW Washington .................. Mario Alexander

Palm Beach County ...................... Bruce Guyton

Philadelphia ............................ Daniel Villanueva

Pittsburgh .............................. Charles Reeves

Richmond .............................. Lamar Bates

San Antonio ............................ Maurice Bridges

Southern California ...................... Demarius Terry

Toronto & Region ....................... Annette Salfarlie

Washington State .......................... Grantley Martelly

ACCELERATE is a publication of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). Articles may not be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission.

MISSION: COMTO’s mission is to ensure opportunities and maximum participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, veterans, people with disabilities and certified MWDBE businesses through leadership training, professional development, scholarship and internship funding, political advocacy, partnership building and networking opportunities.

VISION: Our vision is to ensure full access for minorities in transportation while preparing and positioning leaders for rapidly evolving global opportunities.

PUBLISHER

& EDITOR IN CHIEF

April Rai, President & CEO, COMTO

MANAGING EDITOR

Aasiyah Blow, Senior Manager, External Affairs

STAFF WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS

Nadji Kirby, Chief of Staff

Alicia Walker, Director, Programs and Strategic Engagement

Julia Bankerd, Senior Manager, Membership and Chapter Engagement

Dante Flood, Associate, Membership & Chapter Support

Tiffany Fisher, Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

Erin Thompson, Administrative Assistant

Justin Shewchuk, Digital Design Specialist

DESIGN

Doug Hunley | Design DCH

COMTO Headquarters

4121 Wilson Blvd

Suite 901

Arlington, VA 22203

Phone: 202-506-2917

Email: info@comtonational.org

Website: www.comto.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from COMTO State of COMTO INDUSTRY PARTNERS

HNTB: Innovative workforce training programs provide opportunities

HDR: Making Great Community Connections Possible

FEATURED TRANSPORTATION AGENCY MEMBER

LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins on “Transit as the Great Connector”

2023

Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation

MOU COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS

AASHTO: Using Equity to Sharpen Transportation’s Connective Focus

CUTA: The CUTA Awards: Celebrating EDI Initiatives Within Canadian Public Transit

LATINOS IN TRANSIT: LIT fosters community by helping make meaningful connections

MTI: People, Place, and Public Good: Equitable Transportation Connects Us All The Transportation Research Board

WTS: Supporting Minority Women in Leadership Navigating the “Glass Cliff”

WSP is proud to be a COMTO Platinum Industry Partner

“ rough the creation of our Equi Center of Excellence, WSP is commi ed to driving the transformation of transportation and mobili to full and equitable access for underserved, marginalized and disinvested communities. We are working to ensure that every one of our projects integrates equi into its processes, from planning to resourcing to implementation and use.”

— Tanya Adams, Senior Vice President, Inclusion and Diversi , WSP, and COMTO National Board of Directors Chair

Dear COMTO Family,

This issue of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Accelerate publication follows a plethora of activities designed to move the mission forward across North America. This past fall, COMTO leadership joined Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundations’ Transportation Braintrust, debuted Project Mosaic during COMTO Week, kicked off the new year with a State of COMTO address to membership and during Women’s History Month, celebrated the 12th Class of Women Who Move the Nation! We are so grateful for the continued support of our longstanding Industry Partners: WSP, AECOM, Jacobs, and HNTB. We were also thrilled to welcome six new industry partners into the COMTO family: Bentley Systems, United Airlines, HDR, Lochner, Keolis, and Amtrak.

We find ourselves in a unique time in the transportation industry. It was truly momentous to see a once-in-ageneration investment in our Nation’s infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Seeing the first ever Safe Streets and Roads for All program supporting projects to reduce traffic fatalities, the largest Federal investment in public transit in history, and the first-ever Federal program dedicated to reconnecting communities bifurcated by transportation infrastructure projects. The amount of dedicated resources and intention to address equity are themselves an achievement worth celebrating! Now, it is important that we focus our attention on ensuring those resources get to the communities that need them the most. Programs at the state and local level must be designed to ensure communities of need are part of the planning process and our small, disadvantaged, minority, women

and service-disabled veteran owned businesses get their fair share of the related contracting opportunities.

Actualizing equity is a rewarding challenge that we at COMTO have been proud to help our member agencies realize. Many organizations now understand that embedding DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility) into their strategies is critical and are prioritizing this work. There is a direct relationship between equity and opportunity. When we are equitable, we increase opportunities. And by doing just that, we level the playing field and ensure leadership reflects the communities served. As the voice of equity in transportation, we consider it a privilege to advocate for the underserved and underrepresented. Achieving equity in transportation is a challenging task. It takes a village, and by the increase in growth from our partners and members, we are positive COMTO is on the road to right.

Thank you to our partners and members for helping us to uphold our mission as equity champions. In this Issue of Accelerate, you will be enriched by stories from our partners who are leading the way with projects designed to connect communities to transit, create and sustain diverse leadership teams, and integrate equity into policy and transportation systems.

We hope you enjoy this issue; let’s continue working together to expand opportunities and utilize new resources to ensure that transportation is equitable for all.

Sincerely,

Conference of Minority of Transportation Officials

COMTO Leadership Delivers

First State of COMTO Address

On January 25, 2023, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) held its first State of COMTO address to examine the progress in year one of a three-year Strategic Plan. COMTO leadership, including Chair, Board of Directors, Tanya Adams, Senior Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity, WSP, USA, and April Rai, President & CEO, addressed members and partners on the progress towards achieving the 2022-2025 strategic plan goals and objectives. As the voice of equity in transportation, COMTO’s primary goal, as outlined in the Strategic Plan, is to advocate for those underrepresented in transportation and to ensure full access to opportunities in the industry for all. The address opened with Chair Adams welcoming attendees and introducing a 2022 recap video outlining the many accomplishments achieved in year one of the strategic plan.

Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, Brittini Rusaw, Planner Transit Planning, Georgia Transportation, AECOM, and At-Large Member, Board of Directors, Ruben Landa, ASP Texas Business Leader, WSP, USA, gave an extensive overview of the Strategic Planning Committee and the importance of the three focus areas of the plan, which include (1) Engagement & Retention; (2) Professional Development; (3) and Advocacy. Each focus area was reviewed against the key indicators to track progress and ensure milestones were achieved.

Engagement & Retention

To engage and maintain relationships with individuals and entities committed to equity to increase and retain membership support of COMTO.

KEY INDICATORS

 Increased membership support from professionals representing diverse modes, professions, abilities, genders, and ethnic backgrounds

 Consistent engagement and support of current and developing COMTO programs for members

Professional Development

To aid in the professional development of COMTO members to build a network of individuals prepared to take on leadership roles within the industry.

KEY INDICATORS

 Increased support of existing programs and committees focused on professional development

 Strengthened strategic alliances with associations and groups aligned with the COMTO mission

 Continued professional advancement of COMTO Members

Advocacy

To advocate on behalf of underrepresented groups in transportation.

KEY INDICATORS

 Continued advisory outreach to COMTO HQ & chapters from local, state, and federal officials

 Timely promotion of key information, recommended action, and resources to COMTO members on industry related issues & legislation

Jon Feldman, Director of Planning + Scheduling, NICE Bus, introduced Project Mosaic and the work of the ad hoc committee that was formed to directly address key indicators of the strategic plan with a data component. Attendees learned about the work of the ad hoc committee to review COMTO’s data collection, assess what was missing and work on reimagining forms, applications, and opportunities to collect demographics to better understand the members that make up the COMTO family. Adjustments were made to better capture widely accepted terminology, offer new categories, and write-in options for any that failed to be listed. The name “Project Mosaic” was no accident, according to Jon. “A mosaic is a beautiful piece of art made of individual pieces with unique characteristics. What an apt description of the COMTO family!”

President & CEO April Rai shared the results of the baseline data gathering in the categories of race/ethnicity, gender identification and orientation, disability status and educational attainment.

The address included a review of COMTO’s finances year over year and affirmed a strong financial position. This was especially impressive considering the difficulties many non-profit organizations experienced during the pandemic. Based on year-end financials from 2020 compared to the year 2021, a positive change in net assets was noted. In addition, programmatically, COMTO saw

a 21% increase in membership support and sold out National events, including the 2022 Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation awards breakfast, 51st National Meeting and Training Conference, and a 40% increase in representation of COMTO chapters at A View From the Hill and Transportation Braintrust held in collaboration with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

‘’It is very impressive and satisfying to see how COMTO continues to meet the needs of its members and remain relevant in the industry focused on equity and meeting the needs of the communities we serve,’’ said Ruben Landa.

The address ended with a review of the work of the National Committees and an overview of the year’s staffing plan with capacity building at the forefront. As the event was held virtually, members from all 37 COMTO chapters shared greetings and flooded the chat feature with positive comments and affirmations of their excitement for the coming year. One attendee commented, “This was an outstanding presentation. Kudos, and thank you!”

Another said, “So great to see exceptional leadership in COMTO National, Onward and Upward!“

COMTO looks forward to making the State of COMTO an annual event for members and partners.

Innovative workforce training programs provide opportunities

There is a growing disconnect between the rising number of available construction jobs and the skillsets of the populace. It’s a particular concern in economically underserved areas. Anticipating and understanding that need, the District Department of Transportation invested in three workforce development programs during the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge project:

Construction Management Training Program (CMTP): A field service and classroom curriculum that provides accelerated instruction and opportunities for District residents with little to no experience in high demand jobs to earn certifications and increase chances of employment in construction management.

STRIVE Program: A six-week, hands-on mentoring program that exposed District high school students with a proven affinity for STEM education to key discipline areas in heavy civil engineering.

Jobenomics DC: A 10-week, grassroots program focused on basic job skills and heavy civil training to connect residents in the most impoverished communities in the District of Columbia to construction jobs and startup businesses.

CMTP has been unquestionably impactful. HNTB partnered with DDOT to develop the program during the 11th Street Bridge Project to provide a practical pathway to employment for those expressing interest in construction but lacking access to training.

During the training, CMTP accelerates instruction and opportunities for certifications in concrete, soils and aggregate compaction, safety and flagging and pavement marking to minorities, women, and individuals from underserved

communities interested in the infrastructure construction industry. Students also can acquire ACI Concrete Field Testing and Soils and Aggregate Compaction Technician certifications.

Participants received in class training and they spend time shadowing workers and inspectors in the field, receiving mentorship and ample exposure to on-site concrete application for wall placements and approach slab construction. Following the preparatory training, participants take the certification exams in the areas of study.

It’s an eight-week, intensive class and field training program. Students are paid two stipends, one in the middle of the program and one at the end. They’re also provided with safety gear and access to transportation to the classes. That enables them to continue to pay their bills while participating in the program. The program pays for the certification classes and testing as well.

DDOT’s Joe Dorsey, acting program manager, is encouraged by the success of the program.

“We’re seeing benefits from the CMTP training on the 11th Street program, as many are all still involved in the industry,” Dorsey said. “We want to leave a legacy by contributing to a growing skilled workforce in the District and build careers.”

Authors:

Joe Dorsey, Acting Program Manager

District Department of Transportation

Jon Whitney, Senior Project Manager

Cherie Gibson, Outreach and Communications Manager HNTB

“We want to leave a legacy by contributing to a growing skilled workforce in the District and build careers.”

LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins on “Transit as the Great Connector”

AS LOS ANGELES PREPARES TO HOST COMTO’s 52nd National Meeting and Training Conference in July, LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins urges COMTO members to think of Transit as the Great Connector.

“Transit connects people to opportunity – but what are we doing to improve the quality of those connections?” says Wiggins. “At Metro, we’re thinking beyond the daily commute. How can transit give our customers a connection to a better quality of life?”

As CEO of LA Metro for the past two years, Wiggins has rolled out several new programs to improve Metro’s transit services and expand access to all that LA County has to offer. In the past year, Metro has added 300 Transit Ambassadors to the transit system, made Metro buses faster and more frequent through the NextGen Bus program, and doubled the number of students taking transit through its GoPass Fareless System Initiative program.

“In this post-pandemic remote-work era, we need to attract more and different customers to transit,” said Wiggins. “To do that, we’re making our transit system faster and more efficient, giving people new reasons to take Metro. We want people to think of Metro not only as a way to access their job, but to access the things that make life in LA great!”

Metro is acting quickly to improve its transit offerings and redefine how transit can help Angelenos connect to their favorite places and experiences. The recently opened Regional Connector light rail project enables one-seat light rail rides from East LA and the San Gabriel Valley to beaches in Santa Monica and Long Beach. The agency is installing 100 miles of bus priority lanes to help make buses faster and more frequent. And the agency is funding new projects to integrate Metro passes into tickets for sporting events. All these improvements will improve the quality of transit regionwide and help prepare Los Angeles for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. Wiggins wants to see those Games be a lot more inclusive and accessible to Angelenos.

“When LA last hosted the Olympics in 1984, locals were told, ‘Stay off the roads, stay off transit; don’t make traffic worse,’” said Wiggins. “In 2028, we want the Games to be more accessible to Angelenos through Metro. This is a great moment in our civic history: Metro should be the great connector to it.”

“This is a great moment in our civic history: Metro should be the great connector to it.”

Jacobs congratulates the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials on your 52nd Annual National Meeting and Training Conference.

At Jacobs, we’re going beyond the typical solution of building our way out of gridlock and congestion by putting our curious minds to work to create a smarter, more connected world. We’re facing a new generation of challenges and opportunities in moving people, goods and services. And at Jacobs, we’re pushing the limits of what’s possible.

We tackle the world’s toughest challenges.

Follow us @JacobsConnects | jacobs.com

Connecting communities

We value our partnership with COMTO and their commitment to connecting industry with community. We believe in and support infrastructure that connects and creates social value for neighboring communities to ensure equity and shared economic benefit for all. Through our expertise, we deliver transformational projects that solve our clients’ most complex problems and enhance the social well-being and economic resilience of our communities.

Proud to be a COMTO Industry Partner

Join Lochner today and become part of our high-performing team of transportation industry professionals. While you work to improve the lives of people and their communities, we work to accelerate your career advancement through continued professional development, undeniably challenging projects, a healthy benefits package, and a work environment that promotes flexibility and autonomy. Join

Protect Infrastructure Extend Roadway Life

HDR: Making Great Community Connections Possible

Elevating Southern California Communities and the Industry Through Equity-Focused Megaprojects

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS BECOMING more connected thanks to a host of megaprojects throughout the region. Building connections between people, goods and communities, these projects will dramatically change the mobility landscape for decades to come.

From planning and outreach to delivery and implementation, HDR partners with transportation agencies and infrastructure owners to strengthen community connections and achieve equity in our transportation systems.

Connecting People

The new Automated People Mover at Los Angeles International Airport will make travel a smoother and simpler process for tens of millions of passengers per year. The impact of the project will reach far beyond the airport itself by relieving traffic congestion, reducing emissions, and providing expanded access to regional public transportation.

On a more personal level, the City of Los Angeles is pursuing a pilot pedestrian facility assessment of city-owned sidewalks, curb ramps, etc. to identify damage and determine whether the facilities comply with Mobility Disabled Access Standards, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. The project, being managed by the Bureau of Engineering, represents a marked improvement in accessibility for the Los Angeles area.

Connecting Goods

The Port of Long Beach is cementing its reputation as the Green Port through a visionary program to build a new on-dock rail

facility. This new facility will allow goods to be transported to and from the port directly by train, reducing carbon emissions as well as traffic congestion. In addition, HDR as lead designer has implemented a robust program for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises that ensures the program will advance equity for local, small and minority-owned businesses.

Connecting Communities

The San Diego Association of Governments recently opened the Mid-Coast Trolley, which extends the existing public transit line from the U.S-Mexico border to the University of California San Diego, providing a more equitable transit commute.

Back in Los Angeles, LA Metro’s Link Union Station project will redefine mobility in the area. The existing station, which currently serves as a terminal point in the regional rail network, is undergoing a transformation into a run-through station that will revolutionize regional mobility by seamlessly linking travelers to the rail systems, highways, bus routes, and bike/pedestrian paths that connect Southern California.

HDR is dedicated to redefining the mobility landscape of Southern California to meet the needs of generations to come. We are proud to help visionary owners forge new connections and create more equitable solutions for all communities.

The American Public Transportation Association

Congratulates

The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials on another banner year of serving as the THE GREAT CONNECTOR for its members

2023 Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation

12th Annual COMTO Celebrating Women Who Move the Nation (CWWMN) Awards Breakfast occurred on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. This year we recognized the outstanding contributions of 10 women leading and advancing America’s transportation industry, representing a broad cross-section of multi-modal transportation in both the private and public sectors.

Our workforce is one of our most valuable assets. For that, we must continue supporting our women leaders to ensure we create a diverse workforce that provides opportunities for upward mobility and helps to grow a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Legislative Advisory Council

Using Equity to Sharpen Transportation’s Connective Focus

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objectives, and ensuring transportation policies provide safety, mobility and access to everyone.

Jim Tymon, AASHTO executive director

STATE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION understand the need to make transportation systems across the country more equitable to ensure that they serve every individual in every community across the United States.

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That is because transportation is “The Great Connector,” bringing people together with the essential materials, goods, supplies, and opportunities that give life to communities across the country.

State DOTs know that a more equitable transportation network not only improves and solidifies those connections, it is also critical to delivering economic and quality of life benefits to every person, no matter their age, gender, circumstances, ability, or race.

To implement that vision, AASHTO developed a multimodal and multidisciplinary Equity Task Force in 2022 to provide tools and resources to state DOTs to assist them with establishing equity as a core value, while also mapping out a series of transportation equity research projects.

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Transportation is, at its heart, what connects us to everyone we love, everything we do, and everything we need.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and its members acknowledge that some actions of the past – in terms of programming, planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of state transportation systems – have negatively impacted low-income communities, minority neighborhoods, and people of color. We also recognize that the legacy of those actions persist in disparities today and are working to correct them in a variety of ways.

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One step towards that goal occurred in November 2020, when the AASHTO Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution pledging to engage in the vital work of advancing racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Subsequently, AASHTO identified equity as a fundamental value within its five-year strategic plan – promoting diversity in all AASHTO activities, collaborating with traditional and non-traditional partners to support equity and social justice

To fully integrate equity into the transportation planning process, AASHTO’s Center for Environmental Excellence, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and COMTO are developing an Equity Community of Practice to provide a forum to share information, experiences, and best practices related to institutionalizing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the transportation industry.

By developing and implementing a broad “equity lens,” U.S. mobility networks now and in the future can be re-tailored to more effectively serve the needs of all individuals, from all walks of life, living in communities large and small, urban and rural, allowing everyone to enjoy the economic and quality of life benefits transportation delivers to the nation every single day.

Jim Tymon in the executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Transportation is, at its heart, what connects us to everyone we love, everything we do, and everything we need.

Legislative Advisory Council

The CUTA Awards: Celebrating EDI Initiatives Within Canadian Public Transit

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LAST YEAR CANADA EXPERIENCED unprecedented population growth with over one million new Canadians choosing to call our cities home. Acknowledging diversity in public transit and improving representation is essential to promoting equity in Canada’s growing and increasingly diverse communities.

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Historically underrepresented communities are often more likely to rely on public transit for their mobility needs. An unfortunate result of underrepresentation is that decisions affecting transit systems may fail to reflect the diverse perspectives and experiences of the communities they serve. The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) is the voice of public transit in Canada. CUTA decided to work toward better representation through EDI initiatives, including a partnership and memorandum of understanding (MOU) with COMTO that has been in place since 2021.

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One such initiative included changes to the CUTA Awards. Each year, CUTA celebrates the achievements of transit agencies and the businesses that support them through the annual CUTA Awards Ceremony. In October 2022, CUTA created a new award category. The Equity Diversity and Inclusion Award was designed to recognize transit agencies that made strides toward creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and transit system.

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The inaugural winners of the EDI award were The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Edmonton Transit Service (ETS). Both winners are examples of Canadian transit agencies that recognize the need for positive change and are taking significant steps to promote EDI efforts internally. The inaugural award was presented by the President of the COMTO Toronto and Region chapter. It’s CUTA’s hope that by highlighting some of the most notable EDI projects from across Canada, we can stimulate collective change in Canada and abroad.

Acknowledging diversity in public transit and improving representation is essential to promoting equity in Canada’s growing and increasingly diverse communities.

Legislative Advisory Council

LIT fosters community by helping make meaningful connections

LIT’s annual Leadership Summit will connect attendees to mentors, transportation leaders, knowledge sharing and resources to continue advancing growth opportunities for Latinos and other minorities in public transit

By Megan Perrero

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THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY IS ALL ABOUT connections–connecting riders to jobs, social services, opportunities, their communities and their loved ones. Latinos In Transit (LIT), a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the advancement and development of Latinos and other minorities in transportation, is also all about connections. Whether it’s knowledge sharing, networking, or advocating, LIT connects its members to the people and resources they need to not only grow in their careers but to also support and uplift one another. One way LIT accomplishes this is through the annual Leadership Summit, taking place Sept. 22-23, 2023, in the Washington, D.C., area and hosted by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The summit, designed for mid-level managers and those ready to make the next step in their career, will offer attendees opportunities to connect with national, regional and local transportation officials, CEO’s and transportation decision makers from across the country.

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LIT is excited to build off of last year’s successful summit, which took place in Dallas, Texas, and was hosted by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Attendees can expect a day and a half packed with breakout sessions, keynote speakers, a leadership luncheon and plenty of time to connect and network with LIT members and partners at two receptions. Topics will include success stories from industry leaders about their journey to the C-suite, making diversity, equity, and inclusion a core component at the organizational level, recruitment and retention best practices, and thought leadership.

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To receive the lowest registration price, visit LIT’s website and become a member today. Memberships range from individuals to multi-tiered options for organizations. Early bird registration for members is $250; early bird registration for non-members is

$350. A hotel block will be offered. Sponsorship opportunities may still be available. Please visit LIT’s website at www. latinosintransit.org/leadership-summit to register, find sponsorship information, and hotel block information.

About the Author

Megan Perrero is a board member for Latinos In Transit and serves as the partnerships and engagement specialist for the Shared-Use Mobility Center. She is also active in APTA and participates in the APTA Marketing and Communications Committee.

ABOUT LATINOS IN TRANSIT

Founded in 2016, Latinos In Transit (LIT) was created to promote the advancement and development of Latinos and other minorities in transportation. Membership is made of public and private transportation professionals from across the nation who meet regularly to network, share information and celebrate the professional development of all members.

latinosintransit.org linkedin.com/latinosintransit

ON THE ROAD TO A MORE CONNECTED FUTURE

For over five decades, Cubic Transportation Systems has been at the forefront of connecting communities from San Francisco to New York, and Milwaukee to Los Angeles, with equitable transportation solutions. Our success and longevity are built on the diversity of our team, which brings together bright minds from all backgrounds around the world.

We are proud to collaborate with our partners and suppliers to innovate technology and raise communities, advancing mobility for all. Join us on this journey towards a better, more connected future.

A World-Class Agency Where Diversity is Valued

We embrace diversity in every element of our operation.

From ensuring that we remain on the forefront of providing contracting opportunities to MBEs, WBEs and DBEs to continuing to grow as an employer of choice for diverse communities across the region, the DRPA stands strongly committed to ensuring that we reflect and respect all of the communities which we serve.

Since 1994, the year the Authority implemented its non-discrimination programs, we have paid more than $405 million to certified minority, women, disadvantaged and veteran-owned businesses.

To learn more about employment or contracting opportunities, visit drpa.org

• Ben Franklin Bridge

• Walt Whitman Bridge

• Commodore Barry Bridge

• Betsy Ross Bridge • PATCO

Chairwoman Cherelle L. Parker | Vice Chairman Jeffrey L. Nash CEO John T. Hanson DRPA

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People, Place, and Public Good: Equitable Transportation Connects Us All

The place/people/community dynamic relies on complex connections. Mobility connects people to opportunities, but the scale of transport defies any singular definition of “connection” and how to achieve it.

Therese Watkins McMillan

MTI Trustee; Retired Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) & Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)

TO MOVE IS TO LIVE. At the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI), we are committed to increasing mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nation’s transportation system. Together, we create a more connected world. In this op-ed, MTI Trustee Therese McMillan explores the true interdependence of people, places, and the public good—and how transportation connects them all.

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People need Place—but how do they get there? Transportation connects people to places they need to be. Places we learn and grow and play and live.

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Singular Places become Cities when they connect. No matter the size of the places and the space they take up, it is the gathering and linkage that define a city, as well as the network of opportunities within it. A city’s well-being is rightly measured by opportunities like housing, jobs, and education. However, it is not just about the existence of opportunities but how they are intentionally shared. This connection comes from inclusive and equitable transportation and creates a Community.

How do we define community? Sometimes, it is local—when a parent drives their child to school. Sometimes, it is global—ordering something from the other side of the world. Within this layered environment of infrastructure, systems and institutions, we must remember that people are at the heart of what we do.

People are the Public. The public interest must advance the public good. This good must be afforded to everyone, consciously and deliberately. When policy or practice fails public interest, there are major consequences. The inhumane rise of homelessness is a stark example. If a city cannot provide basic shelter, something has gone wrong. When multiple parties cannot deliver the public interest—transportation, housing, education, healthcare—we must collectively own that failure.

Together is the only way forward. By sharing wins and failures, establishing a common vision through different talents, we can build trust and commit to positive change. We can utilize transportation as the great connector, with equity, accessibility, and inclusivity before all else.

Through a partnership with Cuyahoga Community College, we offer:

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

• GED and adult diploma programs

• College and career readiness workshops

• Women in Transition services

• Workforce Success course

Get on track to a rewarding career with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority! Visit rideRTA.com/careers.

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

COMING 2025

GCRTA: Connecting the Community to skills and training required to succeed in the transportation industry.

Many of the country’s urban highways were built through existing Black and Hispanic communities. This TRB report aims to provide a framework to ensure that transportation funding decisions are made in an equitable manner.

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THE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD (TRB) has published and continues to work on a robust array of products that address transportation-related social equity topics through its cooperative research programs, consensus studies, e-circulars, webinars, and conferences. A compendium of the most recent products, a listing of current and upcoming projects, and related committees and panels can be found at through the QR or link below.

One of TRB’s many current efforts is a consensus study report tentatively titled Data, Metrics, and Analytic Methods for Assessing Equity Impacts of Surface Transportation Funding Programs. The study is funded jointly by TRB and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the study committee is chaired by Ashby Johnson, Executive Director of Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) in Austin, Texas. More information about the study’s scope, committee members, and meetings is available at through the QR or link.

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In his remarks at the 2022 TRB Annual Meeting, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg acknowledged the role that transportation has had in the history of equity and inequity in America, and noted that “every transportation decision is inherently, in many ways, a decision about equity.” Buttigieg discussed the opportunities researchers have to shape transportation policy as a tool to build fairness and equity in society, the billion dollars the administration will use to help reconnect communities split by past transportation decisions, USDOT putting equity into their criteria for grants, and other ways new transportation investments can positively impact the daily lives of Americans.

The scope of the study is to identify and advise on opportunities for using equity-related data, metrics, and analytic methods to better inform decisions for allocating and programming federal surface transportation funds to enhance equity for underserved communities. To carry out the study, the committee has been examining USDOT programs and processes for funding surface transportation. It has focused most on discretionary grants, as it believes those are most likely to have the greatest impacts on equity for underserved communities. In doing so, the committee has examined the applicability of a variety of data, metrics, and methods to USDOT grant design and decision-making criteria. Based on its review and assessments, the committee will make recommendations on the most promising methodological approaches and other considerations for analyzing equity impacts considered at the national, state, and local levels.

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According to Chair Johnson, “This study will enhance USDOT’s ability to consider and evaluate equity considerations in their grantmaking processes from grant conception to grant award and monitoring. Our recommendations are intended to be immediately actionable and highly impactful to all levels of grant applicants and recipients.” Added TRB Executive Director Victoria Sheehan, “Transportation investment decisions play a critical role in determining equity outcomes. This report will allow those selecting projects to fully assess the degree to which a project will expand mobility and job opportunities for those in underserved communities.”

This study is likely to be publicly released in Fall 2023 and will be available for free through the QR or link. TRB will work with COMTO to publicize its release to COMTO members.

https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/snap/ SocialEquityUnderservedPopulation.pdf

https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/data-metricsand-analytic-methods-for-assessing-equity-impacts-of-surfacetransportation-funding-programs

https://nap.nationalacademies.org

Visualize the Possible.

JTI is a premier Minority-Owned SBE providing leading-edge Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) solutions for transportation projects.

Our 3D models immerse transportation planners and engineers in true-to-life virtual environments that validate physical and functional designs before construction takes place.

To learn more, visit us at justtouchinteractive.com

JUST TOUCH INTERACTIVE

Routed in equity.

Supporting Minority Women in Leadership Navigating the “Glass Cliff”

Ebony Venson Communications & Programs, WTS International

WOMEN AND MINORITY LEADERS are driving the transportation industry’s future. They are leading more businesses than before, breaking down barriers, and pushing the industry towards equity with new and exciting innovations. But despite these modest changes in representation, women—especially women of color—remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles across the transportation industry. And women continue to face an uphill battle in advancing their careers and achieving equity in the field.

Research shows that women and people of color are more likely to be propelled into leadership positions during moments of crisis and turmoil. This phenomenon is commonly known as the “Glass Cliff,” and represents the invisible barriers women and minorities navigate in the workplace. These obstacles disproportionately affect Black women, who frequently receive much less support, compensation, and resources than other women at their level.

As WTS International and COMTO work together to advance equity in the field, we must play an active role in leading the paradigm shift that provides further support and resources to minority women leaders. It is vital for our organizations to prioritize professional development, mentorship, and advocating for key issues that affect the needs of minority women. By focusing on these priorities, we can help the present and next generation of transportation leaders navigate and prevent these challenges as they advance in their careers.

We recently gathered over a thousand women in Atlanta, Georgia for our 2023 Annual Conference to further explore the deep connection between equity and transportation. Together we strategized ways our organization can better support minority women, who sit at the heart of institutionalizing equity in the transportation industry. We have a responsibility not only to guarantee minority women are represented, but to create an environment where they are supported and given the tools needed to succeed.

Lean more about WTS International at www.wtsinternational.org

...Women—especially women of color—remain significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles across the transportation industry.

CONGRATULATIONS TO COMTO

FOR ITS 52ND ANNUAL MEETING AND TRAINING CONFERENCE!

The Missouri Department of Transportation is proud of its partnership with COMTO. Together, we build connections with Missouri’s minority and disadvantaged communities.

● MoDOT is now hiring in all areas of transportation at www.modot.org/careers.

● Upcoming Design-Build projects—including multiple bridge bundles and improvements to Interstate 70—offer contract opportunities to DBEs across the state.

Want to learn more? Contact MoDOT’s External Civil Rights division at: DBE@modot.mo.gov.

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Celebrating diversity and opportunity

RTD is proud to join COMTO in supporting diversity, inclusion, and opportunity within the transportation industry. Together, we make lives better through connections.

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Ibrahima Toure Chief Development O cer

transit, built for your network.

Until we get there, we’ll get you there.

We’re moving Virginia toward a cleaner, more efficient future.

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DETROIT. TRAVEL THE WORLD. NONSTOP.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is here to help you reconnect to the world. With more than 125 nonstop destinations on three continents, DTW is the gateway to your next journey. Enjoy our convenient parking options, unique shops and popular restaurants. Our team is known for delivering an award-winning customer experience and we’re ready to welcome you to DTW.

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Please reach out to your local chapter for open scholarship opportunities

MOBILITY STRATEGIES FOR THE PARATRANSIT INDUSTRY

National Scholarship Program

Make a Donation

COMTO s National Scholarship Fund allows us to award multiple academic scholarships to minority undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a variety of careers

COMTO’s National Scholarship Program supports our strategic goal of ensuring the continuing legacy of minorities in transportation. COMTO annually awards multiple national academic scholarships, ranging from $500 to $6,000 each to minority graduate and undergraduate students from across the country

CALLING ALL EQUITY CHAMPIONS!