Transportation + infrastructure
A Shared Vision on the Future of Transportation Innovation and Equity Trailblazing transit couple discusses what they’ve seen throughout their public and private transportation careers and how changing attitudes and technology are reshaping the industry. By Richard Reitz, Editorial Manager for WSP in the US
Public and Private Collaboration Jannet and Nat have experienced both the public and private sides of transportation over the course of their careers. Both agreed that when it comes to collaboration, the two sectors have come a long way. Nat: Early in my career, the public and private sectors largely operated in silos. There was truly no real collaboration in advancing policies or developing programs that advance the customer experience. However, that has changed and now both sectors work together constantly. Public-private partnerships, technology, alternative fuels, and other advancements have contributed to bringing the public and private sector together to collaborate. Jannet: During my tenure at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), I held roles of chief information officer and deputy CEO, where I led a transformation of the agencies’ business systems and the upgrade of the fare payment system to a regional payment system—the Breeze Card Systems, the first of its kind in North America. These programs required close and frequent engagement with the riding public, community, stakeholders, and other regional operators as well as a close partnership with the private sector. A trusted and collaborative relationship with the private sector was crucial in their successful implementations. Nat: There is also collaboration in our shared industry-related trade associations such as the APTA; TRB; the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association and many others. I became chair of APTA around the time that Uber, Lyft, and other providers were using technology to provide “first- and last-mile” services. I challenged my colleagues to see these private sector companies not as competitors, but as allies, to help our systems grow and meet the needs and demands of our riders. Today, there are multiple partnerships across the industry. Jannet: All of this is being done to improve the customer experience and options to take them where they need to go and enjoy their quality of life.
Sit down to dinner with Jannet Walker-Ford and Nathaniel P. “Nat” Ford and you’ll see their connection to transportation progress and innovation in the United States is undeniable. From the integration of mobility technology, to leveraging autonomous vehicles for fleets, to transporting vaccines, to creating equitable access for underserved communities, this “power couple” is helping shape our nation’s mobility. The Fords have not only witnessed their share of advancement in transit throughout their impactful careers, but each has also played a significant role in the influence and expansion of the country’s transit network that has taken shape over the past two decades. Jannet is a senior vice president and transit and rail market leader for WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy. In this role she is responsible for leading the strategy for growth and innovation and delivering technical project excellence in the transit, rail, mobility, freight, and intercity rail markets. She is the current chair of WTS International, an organization committed to advancing women in transportation; and also serves on the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA’s) Executive Committee. Nat is CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), the innovative regional public transportation provider and mobility integrator in Northeast Florida. He is a leading advocate for autonomous vehicles and others on how they can improve the quality of life for travelers throughout the nation. In 2022 he served as chair of the Transportation Research Board, a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that promotes innovations, technology, and research in transportation. He is a former chair of APTA. With their tireless commitment to transit, their pursuit of improved equity and an understanding of where public transportation is heading, one can imagine the ideas and perspectives shared during family dinners at the Ford household.
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csengineermag.com
NOVEMBER 2023
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