2024 Annual Meeting

The program for the 2024 National Rural ITS Conference will be integrated into the ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibition held July 21-24, 2024 at the Philadelphia Marriott.  This year’s conference theme is Creating Safer, Smarter Mobility.  Transportation is a focal point for accessibility whether across the street, across town, around the metro area or state to state for work, school, shopping; people walk, drive, bike, take transit, deliver goods from one place to another.  Transportation technologies play a significant role in making it all work safely.

The conference will cover emerging issues from across the transportation industry including a focus on transportation safety considerations and underserved communities as well as exploration of connecting fiscal resources to agencies that need them.  In addition to traditional ITS topics of interest to transportation professionals, this event will bring together both traditional and non-traditional users to address issues affecting rural and small communities.
The rich and dynamic program for the ITE Annual Meeting spans 13 themed tracks outside of rural ITS catering to professionals across various specialties, from planners and engineers to data scientists and educators

Specific sessions in Advancing Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems track during the ITE 2024 Annual Meeting program are highlighted below within the overall program:

Sunday, July 21

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Workshops

• Dealing With All the Front-End Stuff: How to Jump Start ITS Projects for Small and Rural Communities (NRITS)
  Room Pending (Fee – Complementary)

Facilitator: Elina Zlotchenko, Program Manager, ITS4US and Program Management Office, USDOT ITS Joint Program Office, Washington, DC 

Speakers:

• Diversity & Inclusion Affinity Groups: Who, What, Why Workshop
  Room Pending (Fee – Complementary)
  
• Professional Ethics for Engineers
  Ends at 2:00 p.m.
  Room Pending (Fee – $25)
  
• Slow Streets, Safe Links: Fixing Urban and Suburban Arterials for Safety
  Ends at 4:30 p.m.
  Room Pending (Fee – $25)
  
• STEM Outreach 101 Workshop
  Room Pending (Fee – Complementary)
• Break Through Burnout: Creating a Rhythm of Resiliency
  Ends at 4:00 p.m.
  Room Pending (Fee – Complementary)
• Road Safety Audit Opportunities
  Ends at 4:00 p.m.
  Room Pending (Fee – $25)
• Game on! Navigating Community Engagement: A Journey Through a Trailblazing Transportation Project
  Starts at 3:30 p.m.
  Room Pending (Fee – $25)

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. First-Timer’s Orientation

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Opening Reception in Exhibition Hall

Monday, July 22

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Opening Business and Plenary Session

10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break with Student Poster Session
in Exhibition Hall

11:15 a.m. – 12:45 Technical Sessions

• Integrating Big Data, Analytics, and AI to Improve Transportation System Operations and Safety Services
  Grand Ballroom Salon A
• Enhancing Accessible Mobility through USDOT ITS Deployments (NRITS)
  Grand Ballroom Salon B

The USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office’s (ITS JPO) will conduct a session on the ITS4US Deployment Program. The session will include an overview of the program and presentations by the four active deployment sites on their use of innovative technologies to improve mobility and accessibility in underserved communities. Attendees will engage in interactive exercises and polls to explore challenges in incorporating emerging technologies into their transportation planning. The session will also include discussions where attendees can provide feedback on the resources needed to accelerate ITS deployment in the changing transportation landscape.

Moderator: Elina Zlotchenko, Program Manager – ITS4US and Program Management Office, USDOT Joint Program Office, Washington, DC, USA

Speakers:

Representative from Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Authority, Urbandale, IA, USA

Representative from Georgia Department of Transportation, Gwinnett County, GA, USA

Representative from University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

Representative from Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Buffalo, NY, USA

• Cruising the Career Highway: Navigating the Transportation Industry as a Young Professional
  Grand Ballroom Salon C
• Data, Design and Innovation for Pedestrian Safety
  Grand Ballroom Salon D
• Connecting Communities with Multimodal Transportation Improvements
  Grand Ballroom Salon E
• 2024 Resilience in the Face of Climate Change Sandbox Design Competition Final Judging
  Grand Ballroom Salon F

12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Lunch in Exhibition Hall

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Technical Sessions

• Reimagining Transportation for a Reliable and Sustainable Transportation Future
  Grand Ballroom Salon A
• Perspectives for Rural and Small Communities on Creating Successful Grant Applications for ITS Projects (NRITS)
  Grand Ballroom Salon B
  

Presenters in this session will cover a cross-section of different topics with application to rural and small communities including transit, situational data exchanges supporting connected vehicle deployments and integrated analysis supporting emergency evacuations.

Moderator: Jaime Sullivan, P.E., Director, National Center for Rural Road Safety, Bozeman, MT, USA

Speakers:

Coordinating with State and Regional Officials to Support ITS/TSMO Grant Applications, J.D. Schneeberger, Program Manager–Knowledge and Technology Transfer, U.S. DOT ITS Joint Program Office, Washington, DC, USA

U.S. DOT Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S.) Initiative, Robert Hyman, Transportation Policy Analyst, USDOT, Washington, DC, USA

Connecting and Revitalizing Rural Communities: Implementing Microtransit in Rural Settings, Adrianna Fragozo, B.Sc., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA and Lisa Losada, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

The “Fee for Local Use” – How Two PA Counties Are Making the Most of Their $5, Matthew Edmond, AICP, Assistant Director of Transportation and Long-Range Planning, Montgomery County Planning Commission, Norristown, PA, USA and Nicholas Baker, AICP, Transportation Planning Manager, Philadelphia Streets Department, Philadelphia, PA, USA

• Successfully Growing Your Career
  Grand Ballroom Salon C
• Reconnecting Our Communities Through Livable Streets and Affordable, Accessible, Safe Community Connections
  Grand Ballroom Salon D
•  Reconnecting Our Communities Through Livable Streets and Affordable, Accessible, Safe Community Connections
  Grand Ballroom Salon E
  
• Reconnecting Our Communities Through Livable Streets and Affordable, Accessible, Safe Community Connections
  Grand Ballroom Salon F

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Younger Member Poster Session
in Exhibition Hall

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Networking and Refreshment Break
in Exhibition Hall

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ITE Collegiate Traffic Bowl Grand Championship

Tuesday, July 23

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Plenary Session: Challenging Perceptions: Race, Transportation, Safety, and the Built Environment

9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break with Poster Session
in Exhibition Hall

10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Technical Sessions

• Planning and Designing for Connected and Automated Vehicles
  Grand Ballroom Salon A
• Rural ITS Town Hall (NRITS)
  Grand Ballroom Salon B

This session will provide attendees with an overview of strategic issues facing the development and implementation of ITS rural and small communities complemented by a discussion of issues of current importance and potential transferable lessons.

Facilitator: Steven Latoski, P.E., PTOE, Director, Mohave County Public Works, Kingman, AZ, Chair, National Rural ITS Steering Committee

• Grade Crossings: Improving Safety Today with Data and Best Practices
  Grand Ballroom Salon C
• Cities and States Working Together: Safe Systems and Speed Management Toward Vision Zero
  Grand Ballroom Salon D
• The Lafayette Street Extension Project: Pennsylvania’s Largest County-Led Road Project
  Grand Ballroom Salon E
• Trends in TIAs and Trip Generation
  Grand Ballroom Salon F
  

12:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Awards Luncheon

2:00-3:30 p.m. Technical Sessions

• The SAAS Conundrum – Why Software as a Service is Replacing the One-Time Purchase
  Grand Ballroom Salon A
• Transportation Technologies to Support ITS in Rural and Small Communities (NRITS)
  Grand Ballroom Salon B

This session will examine different examples of rural and small community agencies’ creative use of different approaches to overcoming obstacles in TSMO and ITS implementation. This includes the use of transportation technology, traveler information systems and adaptive traffic signal control systems. 

Moderator: Pending

Speakers:

Connected Vehicles to Support Cascade Road Closures Traveler Information, Zorica Cvijovic, Ph.D., Connected Vehicle Strategist, Trihydro Corporation, Laramie, WY, USA

Connecting with Rural Drivers: Using Communication Tools for Enhanced Safety, Mary Farrell, President, Information Logistics, Pennsauken, NJ, USA and Beth Abruscato, Vice President for Operations, Information Logistics, Pennsauken, NJ, USA

Communicating Route Restrictions to Third Party Mapping/Navigation Providers, Dean Deeter, President, Athey Creek Consultants, West Linn, OR, USA

Deployment of Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT) in a Rural Community: City of Sebring, Highlands County, Florida, Carlton Urban, P.E., PTOE, Chief Engineer, Ultra Engineering, Tampa, FL, USA and Samuel Campbell, P.E., PTOE, Senior Signal Timing Specialst, HNTB, St. Petersburg, FL, USA

• Evolving from the 11th Edition to the 12th Edition MUTCD
  Grand Ballroom Salon C
• The Safe System Approach in Urban Areas in Pennsylvania
  Grand Ballroom Salon D
• Streets as Community Places: Creating a Vibrant and Inclusive Public Realm
  Grand Ballroom Salon E
• Navigating the Data, Challenges, and Solutions for Equitable Transportation Systems
  Grand Ballroom Salon F

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Networking and Refreshment Break with Poster Session
in Exhibition Hall

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Technical Sessions

• Overcoming Equity Challenges Through Multimodal Initiatives
  Grand Ballroom Salon A
• Event Management: Innovative Approaches to Planned Activities and Unexpected Disruptions (NRITS)
  Grand Ballroom Salon B

Technology to support advance planning and dynamically managing events in real-time events can improve safety and operation of the transportation system for the public. This session presents information on the planning, implementation, and assessment strategies that support evacuation, event, and incident management.

Moderator: Brad Freeze, P.E., Deputy Director, Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, Nashville, TN, USA

Speakers:

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too‒Safe System-Compatible Evacuation Strategies, Ian Barnes, P.E., Principal, Fehr & Peers, Walnut Creek, CA, USA

Development of an Innovative Traffic Management Strategy for a Homecoming Event in a University in a Rural Town, Paul Omulokoli, Student, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, USA and Jason Reed, Administrative Specialist, South Carolina state University, Orangeburg, SC, USA

NYC Holiday Open Streets Program Traffic Assessment and Implementation Plan, Rachel Beer, P.E., PTOE, Director of Traffic Analysis + Associate, Sam Schwartz Engineering, New York, NY, USA and Bridget Burke, EIT, Transportation Engineer, Sam Schwartz Engineering, New York, NY, USA

Nightmares that Never Happened: The Unexpected Fern Hollow Bridge Collapse and Planned Closure of US 340 in WV, Amy Staud, Professional Associate, HDR, Pittsburgh, PA, USA and Jason Fuller, P.E., Senior Bridge Engineer, HDR, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

• Managing Speeds on Urban, Suburban and Rural Roads
  Grand Ballroom Salon C
• Transforming Philadelphia’s Streets through Sustainable LED Conversion
  Grand Ballroom Salon D
• Quick Build Projects Don’t Have to Be Ugly: Creating Healthy, Vibrant Corridors with Temporary Materials
  Grand Ballroom Salon E
• Bridging Planning, Engineering, and Equity through Community Engagement
  Grand Ballroom Salon F

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Evening Social Event Hosted by ITE International

Wednesday, July 24

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Plenary Session: From Reactive to Ready: Building a Resilient Transportation System

9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Networking and Refreshment Break

9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Technical Sessions

• The Safe System Pyramid: A Safety and Public Health Conversation Circle
  Grand Ballroom Salon A
• Electrification Challenges
  Grand Ballroom Salon B
• Traffic Analysis Approaches for Intersections and Networks
  Grand Ballroom Salon C
• Work Zone Safety – Bucking the Trends in Pennsylvania
  Grand Ballroom Salon D
• Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable Road Users
  Grand Ballroom Salon E
• Enhancing Mobility and Accessibility through Improved Transit Services
  Grand Ballroom Salon F

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Networking and Refreshment Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Technical Sessions

• Pathways to Safe, Healthy and Thriving Communities
  Grand Ballroom Salon A
• Successfully Planning, Deploying, and Maintaining ITS Technology for All Users
  Grand Ballroom Salon B
• Traffic Signal Operations to Improve Safety for Vulnerable Road Users
  Grand Ballroom Salon C
• Data Driven Decision-Making to Support Safety Outcomes
  Grand Ballroom Salon D
• Inclusive Streets: Meeting the Needs of People with Autism and Developmental Disabilities in Street Design
  Grand Ballroom Salon E
• Balancing Engagement and Data-Driven Analysis in a Large Bus Network Redesign
  Grand Ballroom Salon F

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch on Own

1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Conversation Circles

• iPATH/ITE Transportation & Health Workshop
  
• MUTCD 11th Edition: Opportunities & Challenges
  
• Together We Cycle-A Perspective on Cycling in Netherlands
  
• People-Centered Mobility
  
• Planning and Design for EV Infrastructure
  

TRB Traffic Signal Systems Committee

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ATSPM – Integrating with Agency Workflows

2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Emerging Connected Vehicle Applications

3:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. City of Brotherly Love Traffic Signals Walking Tour