HEARTLAND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT

2012

Great Transit & Trails for Livable Communities

Friday, September 28, 2012 Swanson Conference Center Metropolitan Community College Omaha, Nebraska

SPONSORS

HEARTLAND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT 2012

Great Transit & Trails for Livable Communities Friday, September 28 Omaha, Nebraska Swanson Conference Center at the Institute of Culinary Arts Metropolitan Community College - Fort Omaha Campus

7:30 8:30

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

Swanson Conference Center Institute of Culinary Arts, Upper Level

WELCOME ADDRESS
Greg Youell Executive Director, Metropolitan Area Planning Agency Curt Simon Executive Director, Metro Transit

9:00

LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT AROUND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

There are good, better, and best ways to align land use and development with investment in transit and trails. Hear from two speakers intimately familiar with the process of structuring public-private partnerships to create thriving and beautiful places around major transit and trail infrastructure in Cleveland (Health Line bus rapid transit) and Minneapolis (Midtown Greenway Trail). With:

Maribeth Feke Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Joe Bernard City of Minneapolis

10:30

THE RETURNS ON INVESTMENT IN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Investments in active transportation, when made strategically and executed well, can yield appreciable economic returns in both the short and long run. Hear about the many ways this return has been observed and measured in places near and far. With:

Sam Lankford University of Northern Iowa and author, Iowa Trails Study Ranadip Bose SB Friedman and Associates

11:45

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON with JARRETT WALKER

Introduced by Mokhtee Ahmad, Federal Transit Administration

Swanson Conference Center Institute of Culinary Arts, Upper Level

Jarrett Walker is a transit planner and expert regarded as a leading voice in urban transportation planning. For over 20 years, Jarrett has been a driving force in transforming urban transit systems in North America, Australia, and Europe into high-performing assets for their communities. He recently published a book based on his widely read blog, Human Transit, which chronicles in theory and practice the attributes of successful transit systems. Jarrett believes there are two basic conditions to making transit work: better understanding in a community of what transit can and cannot do, and consensus on what it should do.

1:30

BREAKOUT: DESIGNING GREAT TRAILS

Carl Knoch Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

BREAKOUT: DESIGNING SUCCESSFUL TRANSIT

Tom Gerend Mid-America Regional Council Danny O Connor Kansas City Area Transit Authority Jacob Riger Transportation Planner, Denver, CO

3:15

BREAKOUT: STATE OF OUR TRAILS

Larry Foster City of Council Blus Terry Genrich City of Lincoln Donald Greer University of Nebraska at Omaha Glenn Johnson Lower Platte South NRD Brian Leaders National Parks Service

BREAKOUT: TRANSIT WORK$

John Gobis Gobis & Company LLC Chris Kopp HNTB, Chicago, IL Evan Schweitz Metro Transit, Omaha

4:30

ADJOURN

ANNOTATED AGENDA

7:30 8:30

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

MICHAEL LYON

Broadcaster, 91.5 KIOS-FM - Omaha Public Radio

Swanson Conference Center Institute of Culinary Arts, Upper Level

WELCOME ADDRESS

Greg Youell Executive Director, MAPA Curt Simon Executive Director, Metro Transit Omaha The 2012 Heartland Active Transportation Summit opens with addresses from the leadership of two agencies principally responsible for organizing the event. They will discuss the Summits role in framing vital questions that will be addressed through collaborative planning efforts focused on the regions multimodal transportation system, currently in progress.

Michael Lyon is well-known to Public Radio listeners as the local anchor for National Public Radios Morning Edition every weekday morning on 91.5 KIOS-FM, Omaha Public Radio. A native of England, Michael has lived in the United States since 1981, most of that time in Los Angeles. He and his family moved to Omaha in 2000.

9:00

LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT AROUND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Maribeth Feke Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Joe Bernard City of Minneapolis Transit and trails have until recently been thought of as peripheral elements of a city or regions transportation system. One is a necessity, or an obligation; the other a luxury for recreational use only. Such perspectives discount the inherent potential of active transportation infrastructure to create or set off beautiful and distinctive places. Many cities in the United States and beyond have capitalized on this potential, often through publicprivate partnerships grounded in a set of shared values and objectives. The result not only transforms places, but how business is done in those places. Two of the more stunning examples of contemporary urban and active transportation infrastructure design are in the Midwest, and will be examined in this session: Clevelands HealthLine bus rapid transit (BRT), and Minneapolis Midtown Greenway trail. Maribeth Feke of the Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority will discuss how the public-private partnership behind the HealthLine BRT remade the depressed Euclid Avenue corridor into a showcase of best practices for transit planning, redevelopment, and urban design, generating over $4 billion in private and institutional investment. Joe Bernard of the City of Minneapolis will review the story of how an abandoned below-grade rail spur was repositioned as a vital active transportation connector between the citys most densely populated neighborhoods, generating millions of dollars in greenway-oriented reinvestment.

MARIBETH FEKE, AICP

Director of Programming & Planning Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Maribeths oversight responsibilities include Rapid Transit Station & Transit Center Design, Long & Short Range Planning, Transit Oriented Development, Environmental Planning and property management with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. She has been with GCRTA for 19 years. Maribeth holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and a B.A. from Cleveland State University.

JOE BERNARD

Senior City Planner City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Joes work focuses on long-range land use and transportation planning and implementation throughout the City of Minneapolis. He has recently been involved in projects that acknowledge and build upon the asset that is the Minneapolis trail and bikeway system, including efforts that specifically address the opportunities and challenges presented by development along the Midtown Greenway.

10:15

BREAK

Be sure to stop by the various exhibitions in the lobby.

10:30

THE RETURNS ON INVESTMENT IN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Sam Lankford University of Northern Iowa and author, Iowa Trails Study Ranadip Bose SB Friedman & Company Earning a positive return is a fundamental element of any investment strategy. But local and state governments investing in physical infrastructure are burdened by considerations that many private investors do not face: for one, investment performance must be measured over decades, rather than months or years; plus, it is next to impossible for a public entity to divest itself of an under- or non-performing asset. In addition, governments face the downstream consequences of their investments, whether environmental, behavioral, or health-related. As communities consider investments in trails and transit, the question of returns quickly comes up. Sam Lankford, a professor at the University of Northern Iowas Sustainable Tourism and Environment Program, will describe the ways in which his recent report, Economic and Health Benefits of Bicycling in Iowa, helped to transform the conversation in the Hawkeye State by measuring both the direct and indirect returns generated by investment in trails and other cycling infrastructure. Ranadip Bose, of the economic development consultancy SB Friedman & Company, will share insights from his experience measuring the many ways in which investments in transit generate returns over the short and long run in cities throughout the country.

Director Sustainable Tourism and the Environment program, University of Northern Iowa Sam has been a planner and consultant in several states around the country. He currently coordinates the doctoral program for the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services at the University of Northern Iowa. Sam has a Ph.D. in Leisure Studies and Services from the University of Oregon.

SAMUEL LANKFORD

RANADIP BOSE, AICP

Senior Project Manager SB Friedman and Associates Ranadip has expertise in real estate market analysis, financial analysis and economic impact studies. At SB Friedman, Ranadip leads the practice area related to market and land use impacts of transportation improvements and innovative financing techniques for transportation projects. His experience includes conducting a study on the feasibility of using value capture tools to finance major transportation projects in the Chicago region for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Ranadip has a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor's in Architecture from Jadavpur University, India.

11:45 12:15

LUNCH

Swanson Conference Center Institute of Culinary Arts, Upper Level

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Jarrett Walker holds a PhD from Stanford University and works as an international consultant in public transit network design and policy. He is the President of Jarrett Walker & Associates in North America, and also serves as Principal Consultant with M R Cagney Consultants in Australia and New Zealand. In his 20 years of consulting experience he has led more than 30 network redesign projects spanning the range from rural to major urban networks. His experience also spans intermodal integration, interchange planning, wayfinding, mapping, and many long-range network plans. He has worked across the spectrum of public transport skills, from writing bus schedules to working with architects and urban designers on the design of great urban places where public transport plays a role. He is the author of the popular weblog HumanTransit.org, and the book Human Transit: How clear thinking about public transit can enrich our communities, and our lives. (Island Press, 2011)

JARRETT WALKER

1:15

BOOK SIGNING

Swanson Conference Center Room 201A

FOCUS ON TRAILS

1:30

BREAKOUT: DESIGNING GREAT TRAILS

Carl Knoch Rails-to-Trails Conservancy The mission of the National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. With 150,000 members throughout the country, the Conservancy is responsible for contributing 20,000 miles of rail-trails to the national network since its inception. Carl Knoch, Director of Trail Development at the Conservancy, will lead a session focused on the basics of trail-building from planning to design to construction. Participants will leave the session with a better understanding of the various types of trails and their appropriate uses.
Director of Trail Development Rails to Trails Conservancy After nearly 30 years in marketing and marketing research in such diverse industries as advertising, financial services and computer games, Carl found his passion when he joined the York County Rail Trail Authority as a volunteer director in 1998, he has served as Chairman of the all volunteer board since 2000. In April of 2006 he joined the staff of the Northeast Regional office of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as Manger of Trail Development. His responsibilities include providing technical assistance to trail developers and mangers in eight states from New Jersey and New York to Maine. Carl was honored by the Pennsylvania Planning Association with a Distinguished Leadership Award for a Citizen Planner and was recently inducted into the Keystone Society for Tourism for his role in promoting trails as tourism destinations.

LARRY FOSTER

CARL KNOCH

Director Department of Parks, Recreation, and Public Property Larry has worked with Council Bluffs Parks and Recreation for several years, and prior to that he worked with the city of Omahas Parks and Recreation department. Through these jobs he has helped both cities develop their trail systems.

TERRY GENRICH

Natural Resources and Greenways Manager City of Lincoln Parks and Recreation Terry has managed Lincolns 128 mile trails network since 2000. He has enhanced and expanded the trails by developing partnerships with other public agencies and private organizations. Terrys education and background includes a degree in Natural Resources from the University of Nebraska. In addition to managing the trails, Terry manages the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Departments natural areas.

DONALD GREER

3:00 3:15

BREAK

Associate Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Donald is a professor in the department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at UNO. His expertise includes recreation administration, and he has written a report on the value of trails in Omaha. Donald has a PhD in Leisure Behavior from the University of Illinois.

Be sure to stop by the various exhibitions in the lobby.

GLENN JOHNSON

BREAKOUT: STATE OF OUR TRAILS

Larry Foster City of Council Bluffs Terry Genrich City of Lincoln Donald Greer University of Nebraska at Omaha Glenn Johnson Lower Platte South Natural Resource District Brian Leaders National Park Service This session will inform participants about the current state of practice regarding trails and trail development in the City of Omaha, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, City of Lincoln and Lower Platte areas. The session will kick off with data regarding usage along the trails in Omaha and will proceed to provide information regarding current key development of trails, and major challenges facing trail development.

General Manager Lower Platte South Natural Resources District Glenn attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1972. He received a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1993. Glenn has been employed by the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District since 1972.

BRIAN LEADERS

Landscape Architect - National Park Service Brian is a 1991 graduate from Iowa State University with a BLA in Landscape Architecture. Brian worked at private firms for 14 years, including several years working with Low Impact Development (LID), stormwater management, and designing Nature Explore Classrooms. Since summer 2010, Brian has been working with the National Park Service in the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program.

FOCUS ON TRANSIT

1:30

BREAKOUT: DESIGNING SUCCESSFUL TRANSIT

Tom Gerend Mid-America Regional Council Daniel O Connor Kansas City Area Transit Authority Jacob Riger Transportation Planner, Denver, CO Successful transit hinges on many design factors: planning of routes and service levels, the experience of waiting and riding, and conveying information, to name just a few. It starts, however, with a spatial strategy grounded in a community consensus on what transit should be doing. The Kansas City regions Smart Moves initiative is such a strategy. Tom Gerend of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) will share his insights on how Smart Moves focus on major corridors helps to extend the reach of transit, while Danny OConnor of the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) will focus on how design objectives are linked to design outcomes on the ground. Plan El Paso, completed in 2011 and already receiving top accolades, is a holistic community design strategy that incorporated bus rapid transit (BRT) as a key attribute of future mobility. Jacob Riger will discuss how architects, landscape architects, engineers, and planners worked together to express and achieve the communitys goals.

Director of Planning Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Danny OConnor is the planning director for KCATA, which operates 70 + fixed-route transit and paratransit services in the bi-state Kansas City metropolitan area. Danny serves as KCATAs primary liaison to partner communities and various planning bodies in developing transit service plans and building the regional network. Most recently, he successfully led operations planning and community outreach for the launch of the Troost MAX bus rapid transit (BRT) route. Senior Transit Planner Denver Regional Council of Governments As the Senior Transit Planner for DRCOG (Denver Regional Council of Governments), Jacob is responsible for regional transit planning and local government technical assistance, and leads DRCOGs state-required annual implementation and financial review of FasTracks, the regions high-capacity transit system. Prior to joining DRCOG, Jacob worked for Charlier Associates, where he developed transit strategies for clients throughout the country.

DANIEL O CONNOR

JACOB RIGER

Assistant Director of Transportation Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City, MO Tom is responsible for leading, managing, and advancing high-priority regional transportation initiatives in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Tom joined MARC in July of 2006. Tom attended Iowa State University where he received a Bachelors of Science in Community and Regional Planning, and went on to receive his Masters in Business Administration from University of Illinois.

TOM GEREND

3:00 3:15

BREAK

Associate Vice President John Gobis & Company LLC John is the principal of his own consulting organization advising clients in both the public and private sectors on issues of strategy, marketing, organization and revenue generation. Prior to forming his own consulting organization, John was Director of Service Development for Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Manager of its RAILTRANS Commuter Rail Program. Senior Transportation Planner HNTB Chris Kopp brings 16 years of experience managing a wide variety of transit planning studies, most recently helping states and regions develop transit system visions and corridor plans. Chris has led the consulting team assembled to assist in the development of IndyConnect, an integrated multimodal transportation plan for the Indianapolis metropolitan area. Prior to joining HNTB, Chris was a transportation planner at Cambridge Systematics. He holds a B.A. in Architecture from the University of Cincinatti, and a M.S. in Civil Engineering from Northwestern. Transit Planner & Metro Partners Coordinator Evan is a Nebraska native and 2009 graduate of the University of NebraskaLincoln. He first became interested in transit after studying urbanism and cultural immersion for six months in Fortaleza, Brazil at the Universidade Federal do Cear. At Metro, Evans most recent work includes integrating Omahas transit data with Google Maps.

JOHN GOBIS

Be sure to stop by the various exhibitions in the lobby.

CHRIS KOPP

BREAKOUT: TRANSIT WORK$

John Gobis Gobis & Company LLC Chris Kopp HNTB, Chicago, IL Evan Schweitz Metro Transit, Omaha While design is a key determinant of a transit systems success in terms of attracting and retaining riders, there are certainly other factors at play. Chris Kopp of HNTB Corporation will provide insight into how other communities have cultivated an understanding of transit as an asset. John Gobis, a veteran of transit branding campaigns and rider incentive design, will describe the many benefits and incentives that exist for companies and institutions to encourage employees to ride transit. The session will culminate in a presentation by Evan Schweitz of Metro officially launching Metro Partners, a new program for employers in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area.

EVAN SCHWEITZ