Transportation Tuesday Webinar Series: Attend the 2020 RTA Annual Planning Workshop Virtually

April 17, 2020

The RTA is launching a four-part webinar series in place of the Annual Planning Workshop due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The free, virtual sessions will allow attendees to hear lessons from experts, ask questions, and learn how to make their communities more transit accessible — all while staying safe at home.

The "Transportation Tuesday” series will take place from noon to 1:00 p.m. each Tuesday beginning May 12 through June 9 with RTA staff and regional leaders in transportation planning, community zoning and mobility services management leading discussions about the opportunities, challenges, and resources available to the Chicago region.

Participation is free, but registration is required. Read below for descriptions and registration links to each of the four webinars.

Tuesday, May 12: One Step at a Time — Creating Vibrant, Active Communities

This session will give attendees tools to build active and transit accessible communities. Attendees will gain an understanding of the benefits of investing in active transportation infrastructure and the programs and resources available to their communities. Local partners who have worked to plan and implement projects across the Chicago region will share their experiences. The RTA and past program participants will also provide guidance on the RTA Access to Transit Program, which encourages increasing transit accessibility through small-scale improvements. Register here.

Tuesday, May 19:  Zoning to Meet Your Community’s Planned Vision

This session will include an overview of the RTA’s Community Planning program followed by a more in-depth focus on how the right mix of municipal zoning principles enables development that aligns with a community’s vision. Industry experts will provide insights to various zoning strategies that facilitate transit-oriented development (TOD) and how those strategies benefit municipal goals. They will also provide focused information about current trends in zoning, including accessory dwelling units, inclusionary zoning, and with getting code and map amendments through the approval process.  Municipal representatives will be on-hand to share success stories about how revising zoning in their transit districts helped their communities achieve their planning goals and objectives. Register here.

Tuesday, June 2: RTA Mobility Pilots—Lessons Learned

This session will highlight mobility pilots throughout the region with presentations specific to current and future pilots, planning studies, and coordinating partnerships.  RTA staff along with industry experts and municipal leaders will present lessons learned. Discussion will focus on leveraging new technology and business models, such as Transportation Network Companies, to ensure that agency and municipal goals and objectives are met while fostering an environment where private partners can thrive. In addition to regional efforts, the discussion will include an overview of current and future solutions to consider when planning a mobility pilot. Register here.

Tuesday, June 9: The Changing Mobility Environment

This session will detail current regional demographic trends along with a panel discussion focused on how transportation and transit will evolve to meet future needs. Panelists will include transportation industry leaders from the public and private sectors, along with experts from academia. Panel questions and discussion will provide perspective on topics including connected and automated vehicles, shared-use mobility, electrification, shifts in telework, aging population, and spatial mismatch. Panelists and audience participants alike will be challenged to reflect on not just what is currently happening in our region but what is possible. Register here.