Time: 3:45pm – 5:00pm
Location: Concourse Level – Conference Rooms
Beyond the ADA: A Dialogue between Agencies, NGOs and Disability Advocates
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This roundtable discussion will highlight a critical conversation about efforts to go beyond compliance with the ADA to create transportation systems and a built environment that are accessible for people with disabilities. Join a roundtable discussion with representatives from government agencies, NGOs, and disability advocates to learn about how they're going above and beyond the ADA. Speakers will address the “how” and “why” behind these initiatives and highlight the crucial role of advocacy in achieving progress.
Location: Concourse Level – Queens (C198)
Equity and Impact: Exploring the Realities of Congestion Pricing
Congestion Pricing is off to a promising start in New York City, with traffic volumes down, speeds up, and new revenue flowing in to support reinvestment in the transit system. The impact of congestion pricing on low and moderate-income New Yorkers and on environmental justice (EJ) communities has been the subject of heated debate ever since the program was first proposed back in 2007. This panel will look at the reality of congestion pricing and equity in New York City and its implications for other cities in the United States and beyond that may be considering this approach. What has been the impact thus far in New York City for low-income and EJ communities? Who is paying and who is benefiting? What steps did the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) take to mitigate impacts on low-income drivers and EJ communities and can those approaches serve as a model for other cities? The discussion will highlight perspectives from the MTA, the agency implementing the project, advocates for transit riders and EJ communities, and the perspective of San Francisco as it considers its own plans for congestion pricing on Treasure Island.
Location: Concourse Level – Staten Island (C201-202)
Moderator: William Carry, Assistant Commissioner for Policy, NYC Department of Transportation
Operationalizing Equity Through Hiring and Contracting
Public-service oriented organizations strive to reflect the diverse communities they serve. This panel will highlight changes in hiring and contracting practices, focusing on efforts to increase diversity, inclusion, and economic opportunities. Experts from government agencies, the private sector, and elected officials will discuss how updated hiring practices, procurement reforms, and the expansion of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) programs influence project outcomes, workforce representation, and community engagement. The discussion will also highlight remaining challenges and opportunities for future improvement.
Location: Concourse Level – Manhattan (C203)
Moderator: Carlos Bannister, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Contracting Diversity Officer, NYC DOT
Vision Zero: Protecting Vulnerable Street Users
Over the past decade, Vision Zero has aimed to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries, prioritizing human life in transportation systems. This panel explores how technology is advancing these goals, focusing on new innovations. Experts will discuss how data analytics and real-time responses are improving road safety and reducing human error, while also addressing the critical need to incorporate an equity lens in these efforts. The conversation will highlight how emerging technologies can address disparities in traffic safety, ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit equally from advancements. Attendees will gain insights into the future of transportation safety, the role of tech in achieving Vision Zero, and how equity is integral to building safer, more inclusive cities.
Location: Concourse Level – The Bronx (C204-205)
Moderator: Erin Bersak LaFarge, Director of Safety Policy, NYC Department of Transportation