APTA Holds First Innovation Summit at TRANSform

APTA concluded its 2024 TRANSform on Oct. 2 with a full-day, inaugural Innovation Summit. The summit was geared to share best practices and foster an environment of collaborative problem-solving and exchange of ideas. More than 400 people attended the event. Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr., CEO, Jacksonville (FL) Transportation Authority (JTA), served as master of ceremonies.

David Zipper, a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative and contributing writer at Vox, shared his perspective on the future of mobility technologies such as e-bikes, robotaxis, and ride hail that could either complement public transit service, or undermine it. He asked the audience to look back at how they once viewed the future of mobility, noting that, “some six to eight years ago, there was tremendous excitement and even consternation in transit.”

Noting how there were new modes and new technologies popping up around the U.S., “I think it’s useful,” he said, “to take a step back and understand which of those innovations have had an impact on transit that might be a little different from what we expected. And perhaps we can draw some lessons that we can apply toward the future as we think about how transit can be nimble and responsive to challenges and innovations and new technologies, because they’re going to keep coming.”

Ford told the crowd that “our success stories; our bold vision for the future is powered by innovation and technology. To have an idea is not enough. To be successful, one needs to drive to execute a bold vision. It’s about nurturing and challenging unknown risks to create a sustainable culture of innovation in all that we do.” JTA, he said, has embraced this mindset, embedding innovation in everything it does. “It’s part of our organizational DNA, using innovation to solve real-world problems, advance transformative projects, and ultimately improve the quality of life in northeast Florida.”

He added: “We recognize that innovation is more than just simply adopting a new technology. It’s about rethinking our processes, embracing a growth mindset, and creating an environment where every employee is empowered to take risks and to think, how can we do it better? This shift in mindset has allowed us, as JTA, to evolve from a traditional transportation organization into an industry-leading and thought-provoking and solution-driven organization.”

APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said that never “in the history of public transportation have our stakeholders’ needs and expectations been higher. And that is why this summit is so critical, and what I hope will be the first of many more.” The presentations by more than 10 people that follow, he said, “are our industry’s TED Talks, with invaluable lessons to embrace and make your own.”

Skoutelas noted that two themes would be repeated: First, how do organizations entrusted with managing public funds and earning the public’s support find prudent ways to experiment, be bold, and dare to do the impossible?

Second, how do we make innovation less scary, more thrilling, and rewarding? How do we create a safe, nurturing environment for both groups: those who are expected to mitigate risk and those who are expected to “think courageously?”

The Innovation Summit presenting sponsor was WSP. Inez Evans Benson, SVP national bus and facilities practice director, offered welcoming sponsor remarks.

Videos of sessions are free to view for summit attendees and available to purchase for others. Learn more here.