Transportation Engagement Opportunities

Posted on 05/03/2016 by Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce

Raise your voice. Share your opinion. Get engaged. Improving mobility is one of the highest priorities for the Austin Chamber. As part of our advocacy program, we continue to keep the business community informed about opportunities to share feedback.

Mobility Talks

Mobility Talks is the City’s online public engagement platform designed to solicit citizen input on mobility issues. The feedback gathered by Mobility Talks will inform the development of a potential transportation bond this November. Make your priorities known by taking the survey and/or sending an email to City Council. The final day to respond to the online questionnaire is Sunday, May 8th. Your feedback will be presented to the Austin City Council’s Mobility Committee on June 8, 2016. Learn more about Mobility Talks here.

Proposition 1

On April 28, the Austin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to support the passage of Proposition 1 related to the regulation of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). A vote for Prop 1 ensures that Austin continues to be a welcoming environment for innovation while keeping both drivers and users of ride-hailing applications safe. Early voting ends May 3rd and Election Day is Saturday, May 7th. Click here for the full text of the Board’s resolution.

Austin Don’t Rush

Mayor Adler launched Austin Don’t Rush campaign - a one-day challenge to help ease congestion on our roads. On Wednesday, May 11th, Austinites are being asked to do anything they can to remove single-occupant vehicles from rush hour traffic. When travelling to work or school, the Chamber encourages its members to carpool, telework, take the bus, ride a bike, or drive during non-peak hours. For tools to help you better plan your commute, visit our partner, Movability Austin.

Smart Cities Challenge Workshop

On April 27, dozens of local and out-of-market businesses attended the City of Austin Transportation Department’s Smart Cities Workshop at the AT&T Conference Center at UT-Austin. The focus of the event, sponsored in part by the Chamber, was to engage the private sector in developing Austin’s Smart City Challenge proposal. Austin is one of seven cities around the country vying for a $50 million grant supported by the USDOT and Vulcan Philanthropies. To learn more about this initiative, visit the City’s Smart City Challenge website. Vendors interested in partnering with the City have been asked to submit an RFQ by Friday, May 6th. For details, please contact Andy Cantu or ATXSmartCity@austintexas.gov.

Mobility Solutions Network

The Rocky Mountain Institute, with support from the Austin Chamber and MobilityATX, is working to build a collaborative network of organizations and individuals interested in solving Austin's mobility challenges. Please join us on Thursday, May 12th for a kick-off event at Google Fiber’s Fiber Space for an interactive evening of presentations and discussions. The first in a series, this forum will showcase existing efforts aimed at creating an improved mobility system in Austin. Rather than focusing on problems, we’ll provide a platform for entrepreneurs, policy makers, researchers, and advocates to pitch their ideas and solutions. Click here to register. Light refreshments will be served.


Related Categories: Public Policy, Transportation