This session explores ways to build a system that is affordable for all, and how to best serve underrepresented communities. 

Special Remarks:  Dr. Beverly Scott, CEO, Beverly Scott Associates

Moderator:  Sharon Green, Managing Principal, Infrastrategies

Speakers:

• Philippe Lorand, Senior Advisor, Passenger Department, UIC International Union of Railways
• Lillian Hames, Consultant, Hames and Associates
• Gillian Gillett, Program Manager, California Integrated Mobility, Caltrans

This session is part of the full 2021 High-Speed Rail Conference Virtual Event available in APTAU Learning.

The coming years bring great opportunity to unleash the economic power of our megaregions, to enable equitable and affordable access and opportunity, and to create short-term and permanent American jobs. Those national benefits can be achieved by building a robust high-speed and intercity passenger rail network that is environmentally friendly, resilient, and sustainable.

Speakers:

• Paul P. Skoutelas
• Jeffrey A. Nelson
• Amit Bose
• Gov. Jay Inslee
• Joseph Giulietti
• Dieter Michell-Auli
• Celine Fornaro
• Daniel Plaugher
• Dr. Anthony Perl

This session is part of the full 2021 High-Speed Rail Conference Virtual Event available in APTAU Learning.

Amtrak has exciting plans to bring better passenger rail service to millions of more people, upgrade its fleet, and rebuild essential Northeast Corridor (NEC) infrastructure and stations. This session will highlight Amtrak’s plans for growth across the nation, restoring rider confidence post-pandemic, new Acela high speed trains, and related investments on the NEC. Amtrak is celebrating its 50th anniversary on May 1 this year and carried a record 32.5 million passengers in FY 2019. Despite the pandemic-induced downturn in ridership, Amtrak is coming back stronger than ever and optimistic about its role in the future of America's transportation system in the post-pandemic era.

Speakers:

• Melanie Johnson
• Caroline Decker
• Roger Harris

Did you know? US News recently ranked seven Midwest states among the Top 10 most affordable places to live, with Kansas City, Madison, and Pittsburgh leading the region’s tech startup-boom, humbly known as the “Silicon Prairie.” Illinois and Ohio also rank among the Top 5 states in the country with the most Fortune 500 companies. With all of this success, big cities and small towns are looking for new ways to improve commutes, access green family-wage jobs, and improve quality of life. In this session, we’ll learn how existing transportation infrastructure is not keeping up with growth, and how fast trains can transform areas of the country from “flyover states” to the Crossrails of America.

Speakers:

• Paige Malott
• Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS)
• Kimberly Slaughter
• Derrick James
• Arun Rao
• Anna Lynn Smith
• Sadie Graham

This session is part of the full 2021 High-Speed Rail Conference Virtual Event available in APTAU Learning.

Every HSR project has a multiplicity of stakeholders, and they all have a different compelling "why". The old, business-oriented way of external communication just doesn’t work anymore. Dull, inelastic, jargon-filled corporate rationale for project development won’t cut it outside of the boardroom, and won't inspire advocates to rally around an HSR initiative. Thinking critically AND creatively is the best way to ensure your voice carries beyond the general noise. This interactive workshop will give you the tools to better understand your various audiences, to "look around corners" to anticipate communications challenges, and to better highlight the benefits your project will bring to communities. Together we will "train-storm" how to:

• Use the benefits of HSR to tell stories in new, compelling ways
• Use all of the communications tools available to external affairs professionals, including social media and non-traditional media
• Develop the right research strategy for any budget so you know which messages work, and which don't
• Inspire project advocates to action"

Speaker:

• Rebecca Cowle

This session is part of the full 2021 High-Speed Rail Conference Virtual Event available in APTAU Learning.

According to a joint publication from the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, and Transportation, the employee shortage across all transportation sectors—pre-COVID—is estimated at approximately 460,000 people annually. Increased system demand, a burgeoning population, and an aging workforce have all contributed to this shortage, which is estimated to continue into the future unless we act now. Notably, many agencies also have struggled in the past to attract and retain individuals from diverse backgrounds, especially women. To adequately develop the future of the industry, agencies must excite younger generations about becoming future industry professionals. Join us to learn how high speed rail can create upward mobility in job training for the next generation in addition to how we embrace opportunities for innovation, job creation, and a sustainable economy in rural and urban areas.

Speakers:

• Mayor Jill Boudreau
• Dr. Karen E. Philbrick
• Jeff Davis
• Madeline Janis
• Paige Malott

This session is part of the full 2021 High-Speed Rail Conference Virtual Event available in APTAU Learning.

The coming years bring great opportunity to unleash the economic power of our megaregions, to enable equitable and affordable access and opportunity, and to create short-term and permanent American jobs. Those national benefits can be achieved by building a robust high-speed and intercity passenger rail network that is environmentally friendly, resilient, and sustainable.

Speakers:

• Matthew Tucker
• Joseph Giulietti
• Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ)
• Mitch Warren
• Irene Plenefisch
• Rep. Seth Moulton
• Sharon Green
• Karen Hedlund
• Glen Weisbrod
• Joseph Aiello
• Andy Tryba

This session is part of the full 2021 High-Speed Rail Conference Virtual Event available in APTAU Learning.