Presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award to Jolene Molitoris the first woman Federal Railroad Administrator along with a keynote address from The Honorable Raymond F. LaHood, former Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, and former Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Remarks:

• Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association
• Dorval Carter, APTA Chair, and President, Chicago Transit Authority

Speaker:

• Jolene Molitoris, Former Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration

Keynote Speaker:

• The Honorable Raymond F. LaHood, former Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, and former Member, U.S. House of Representatives

Facilitator:

• Jeffrey Nelson, Immediate Past Chair, APTA Board of Directors; CEO/Managing Director, Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLink)

High-speed rail worldwide is experiencing a strong growth-trend.    How have such systems managed to support and sustain ridership support and financial support in years  long-following project opening?   Leadership from the International Union of Railways will share strategic insights from around he world and observations from the recent World Congress on High-Speed Rail held in Morocco.

To close the Seminar, FRA Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell will summarize opportunities, next steps, and accountable actions needed from all partners and stakeholder.   Historic, potentially transformational opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law must be coupled with smart planning and smart project delivery.   

International Experiences in Nurturing and Sustaining Railroad Development Speaker:

• Francois Davenne, Director General, International Union of Railways (UIC)

Closing Remarks:

• Jennifer Mitchell, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration

APTA’s key partners will discuss a joint-strategy for sustaining ongoing investments in  passenger rail.   Discussion will cover the significance of the gains made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the role of the private sector in advocacy, and the connection of passenger rail to forward-looking clean energy jobs.  

Panelists:

• Shayne Gill, Program Director for Multimodal Transportation, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
• Brittney Kohler, Legislative Director, Transportation & Infrastructure Services, National League of Cities  
• Jim Mathews, President & CEO, Rail Passenger Association
• Nicole Brewin, Senior Vice President, Government & Public Affairs, Railway Supply Institute, Inc. (RSI)
• Caroline N. Decker, Senior Vice President and National Rail Business Line Director, WSP USA

Amtrak, CAHSR and Brightline West are advancing major intercity and high-speed rail projects in the U.S. Join this discussion with program executives and FRA on how the projects are being delivered, including lessons learned from previous contracts, and changes proposed in the future.

Moderator:

• Connie Crawford, Director of Transit, ASTM NA

Panelist:

• Jackie Kerrigan, Sr. Director of NEC Program Development and Work Planning, AMTRAK
• Sarah Watterson, President, Brightline West  Panelist: Michael Longley, Acting Director, Office of Rail Program Development, Federal Railroad Administration
• Bruce Armistead, Chief of Rail Operations and Delivery, California High-Speed Rail Authority

Passenger rail corridor development is a complex issue. There are many challenges faced by passenger rail operators when attempting to add new service or more frequencies on existing freight rail lines. The panel will discuss these challenges and ways and means to collaborate with host railroads to achieve service goals that provide benefits to everyone.

Moderator:

• Kenneth Sislak, Vice President, Transportation, AECOM

Panelist:

• Peter Schwartz, Acting Director, Office of Railroad Planning & Engineering, Federal Railroad Administration
• Jennifer DeBruhl, Director, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
• Graeme Hampshire, Project Director, High Frequency Rail Project, VIA HFR - VIA TGF

So many projects, so much opportunity! This is the part two of a two-part series focusing on a growing pipeline of projects throughout the US. Come hear from representatives from Washington State Department of Transportation, AMTRAK, Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission as they share their experiences with IIJA and advancing significant programs of projects.

Moderator:

• Ian Rainey, Senior Vice President, The Northeast Maglev, LLC

Panelist:

• Amy Scarton, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation
• Joe Barr, Director of Network Development, AMTRAK
• Laura Kliewer, Director, Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission

So many projects, so much opportunity! This is the part one of a two-part series focusing on a growing pipeline of projects throughout the US. Come hear from representatives from NJ TRANSIT, California State Transportation Agency, North Carolina Department of Transportation as they share their experiences with IIJA and advancing significant programs of projects.

Sponsored by WSP

Moderator:

• Anna Lynn Smith, Vice President – Strategy and Planning, AMTRAK

Panelist:

• Kevin S. Corbett, Chair, Northeast Corridor Commission, and President & CEO, NJ TRANSIT
• Chad R. Edison, Chief Deputy Secretary for Rail and Transit, California State Transportation Agency
• Julie White, Chair, Southeast Rail Corridor Commission, and Deputy Secretary for Multi-Modal Transportation, North Carolina Department of Transportation

Sponsor Remarks:

• Caroline N. Decker, Senior Vice President and National Rail Business Line Director, WSP USA

Join your industry peers as we kicked-off the 2023 High-Speed Rail Seminar.