Kia Ora, Transportation 2020 was an unprecedented success

Weren’t we lucky the conference was held the week it was. Just a few days later and things would have had a very different outcome.

Feedback from delegates throughout the three days of conference was that presenters worked the theme into their material in ways that we haven’t seen before. They enjoyed the thought provoking nature of the presentations and that the Learning Cafés were fantastic. The walking tours were also well received given the change that the central city has seen in the last five years since the conference was held in Christchurch.

We had record attendance numbers, despite some last minute cancellations. The presentations have been heralded by some as the best they’ve ever experienced at this conference. The overall quality of ALL presenters were applauded.

The delegate survey is underway so we look forward to posting results in soon.

Sponsors were thrilled with the level of engagement from delegates across the three days and at social events. Delegates enjoyed the conference and look forward to Auckland next year!

Theme: Equity in Transportation

The topic for this year’s conference is “Equity in Transportation”, and we’ll be unpicking what that really means for our transportation system and the profession as a whole.

We’re nearly a quarter of the way into the 21st century and the delivery and promise of safe, well-connected and multi-modal transportation networks that recognise the significant environmental impacts of transportation, has led to a shift in thinking about mobility. Socioeconomic, technological and cultural shifts are leading New Zealanders to look for transport solutions that are healthier, safer, and smarter.

Increasingly we recognise that we can’t achieve this working within the transportation sector alone.  To be effective, we need to look to others, to have the difficult conversations, to reflect on places as far more integrated systems than perhaps we have considered them in the past.

People are sharing mobility options and are seeking more from transport than just the A to B.  As we are encouraged to have a customer focus, do we have a firm grasp of who our “customers” are and what they want?  Transportation is often guilty of looking through a narrow lens, meeting the needs of only some of our population.  There is a growing awareness that transportation planning, design and operation must consider the diversity of needs and abilities across gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status and physical/cognitive impairments.

Creating liveable and vibrant cities requires high quality public spaces to be an essential component of the urban fabric for economic and environmental benefits, in addition to social and cultural inclusion, and healthy active and productive communities. How do we make sure that shifts in the future of transportation do not come at the expense of our environment, the quality of public space, equity and customer needs?

Allowing for more people to move around city streets without compromising public space means reclaiming space for walking, bicycling, micro-mobility and high-capacity public transport.  Promoting the smart use of street space and unlocking the potential of the kerbside is needed to manage all modes and ensure streets are safer and inclusive.

The 2020 Conference will examine equity in transport and look at ways we can respond through a programme filled with original presentations and lively debates. Join us and help lead the conversation by submitting your abstract today.