ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National infrastructure experts joined forces today at the Mobility 21 Summit to highlight transportation ballot measures and seek strategies to develop regionally connected transportation solutions, ease traffic congestion and increase options for Southern California’s traveling public.
More than 1,200 transportation, business and elected leaders convened at the Disneyland Hotel for the 15th annual Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit. The annual conference, which is the largest one-day transportation event in the state, focuses on bringing together leaders from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to address the challenges and opportunities facing Southern California’s transportation infrastructure.
“Mobility 21’s strength is in the organization’s regional coordination and unified front on critical transportation policy issues,” said Lucy Dunn, President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, California Transportation Commissioner, and Chairman of Mobility 21. “The 6,000 public and private sector members span seven counties in Southern California to collaborate and advocate for solutions to the state’s most pressing infrastructure needs.”
During his remarks at the Summit, Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board First Vice Chair Eric Garcetti highlighted Los Angeles County’s proposed Measure M and how local measures bring much needed funding to ease traffic congestion, create jobs and improve quality of life in Southern California.
“Traffic is a drain on our entire region — clogging our roadways, keeping us away from friends and family and slowing down the economy," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. "It is crucial that Southern California, as a region, works together to ease congestion. Los Angeles County is leading the charge — putting forward one of the nation’s largest infrastructure investment plans, which will reduce bottlenecks, maintain our existing lines and roads, and expand our public transportation system to meet the 21st century needs of our residents.”
During the Summit, conference attendees learned about concepts being proposed to overcome Southern California’s transportation challenges, including: connected and autonomous vehicles, leveraging the next generation of mobility in a shared economy, enhancing transit options and ensuring global competitiveness in goods movement through our local ports. Leaders also called on legislators to implement reforms and innovations to make much needed improvements to Southern California’s transportation infrastructure.
“Mobility 21 is the preeminent organization to foster collaboration and partnerships toward a better transportation future – regionally and statewide,” said Brian Kelly, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency, “I am pleased to lend my voice to the organization’s cause.”
Mobility 21 presented awards to several transportation leaders for their efforts to keep the region moving:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Will Kempton, Executive Director, Transportation California
- Public Sector Leader of the Year: Self-Help Counties Coalition
- Private Sector Leader of the Year: Elon Musk, CEO, Tesla
- Tribute Award: Marian Bergeson (in memoriam)
For more information about the conference, visit the event website: http://mobility21.com/2016summit/agenda/
