FUTURE OF REGIONAL MOBILITY EVENT (Oct. 1)

Every year, the Austin region is at or near the top of multiple “best of” lists—everything from U.S. News’ Best Place to Live to top cities for millennials to best barbecue. We’re proud of the work our community has done to be one of the greatest metros in the United States. Unfortunately, we are showing up on another list —traffic congestion.

According to the latest Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard, we in the Austin region lose an average of 43 hours a year staring at taillights. That’s just today! In the next 20 years, our region’s population is once again expected to double.

So what can be done to address regional traffic and mobility?

On Oct. 1, the Greater Austin Chamber is hosting a Future of Regional Mobility summit. The event features a broad range of panelists and speakers – from across the region and country – to discuss what needs to be done to ensure our traffic ranking doesn't’t get worse. We must fix our traffic problems so we can continue to attract job creators and talent to our region.

Overview of Panels, Presentations

The Austin Chamber is pleased to provide attendees with a robust agenda. This features Mayor Steve Adler and several panels focused on regional mobility, the future of Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), mobility technology and innovation, and the current and future state of transit. Below is a recap of featured discussions:

• What has made Austin so successful is our regional approach to job creation and infrastructure. To maintain our track record, we need to ensure the State of Texas is providing the funding and tools necessary to improve our highways and roads. Our panel, moderated by Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, will dig deep into regional issues.
  
• This year ABIA is setting records for the number of passengers traveling through our airport. As our air service, both domestic and international, continues to grow, our airport must evolve and expand to keep up with demand. ABIA is conducting a master plan that looks 20 years into the future to assess the airport’s needs for new terminals, runways, and road access. It is also on the verge of opening its nine-gate terminal expansion. Executive Director Jim Smith will be on hand to delve into what ABIA will look like in the coming years.
  
• Major cities across the world have effective transit systems. A large part of the Future of Regional Mobility Summit will look at transforming our transit system and culture. Two panels will focus on this issue by looking at the importance of investing in the future of transit and the technology and innovation that makes transit work. Leaders from Minneapolis and Atlanta will share insights into what has made their city’s respective transit systems successful.
  
• We’ll cap off the day by hearing from CEO Randy Clarke on the future of CapMetro, and we expect he will share some exciting news during his presentation!

To join the in-depth discussions, the agenda and registration details can be found here.