Mobility is key to the Inland Empire’s future economic growth and quality of life. This dialogue series has been developed to address the numerous Inland Empire projects and initiatives designed to improve mobility. Advanced technology will be the dominant factor in our automobiles, rail transportation, the movement of freight, and the organization of our communities. Few will doubt the assertion that the change we are about to face is at least as great in the 21st Century as was the transportation changes that occurred in the early 20th Century as we moved from horse and buggies to planes, trains, and automobiles.
As exciting as this impending future may be, it is very important to remind ourselves that we live in a democratic society in which an informed electorate is the best guarantee of a strong and stable society. However, given the rapid pace of events, most people today are not informed about the many issues related to the imminent changes in our transportation infrastructure, few are aware of the many transportation-related projects and initiatives, and fewer still are involved in any meaningful way in the decisions that are being made. There are differing opinions regarding the magnitude of the problems and the relative merit of various potential solutions. Moreover, there is currently no authoritative place that people who are not directly involved in ongoing discussions can go to obtain a comprehensive overview of our mobility needs, the related social concerns, and the projects and initiatives now being discussed to address them. The purpose of Inland Empire Mobility Dialogue Series is to provide that forum.
Let's Keep the Conversations Going!
The Inland Empire Mobility Dialogue Series Continues
Thank you for joining us as the conversation continues in the sixth year of the CSUSB Leonard Transportation Center Inland Empire Mobility Dialogue Series!
Save the date for our upcoming events, where we will continue to have vital conversations on transportation topics that affect the Inland Empire.
#LTCtalks and #LTCtalk2024 is the official event hashtag!
Additional Information:
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2024 Dialogue Topics
April 16, 2024 | 8:00-10:00 am
EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY IN TRANSPORTATION FUNDING: BRIDGING GAPS FOR THE INLAND EMPIRE'S FUTURE MOBILITY
GUEST SPEAKERS
Promoting Equitable Outcomes Through Funding Priorities
Lacy Vong
HNTB
A Regional Perspective on Funding and Transportation and the Implications for Equity
Warren Whiteaker
SCAG
Funding, Equity, and Partnerships at SBCTA
Steve Smith
SBCTA
Monique Arellano
San Bernardino Council of Governments & SBCTA
Andrea Zureick
SBCTA
Navigating a Competitive Transportation Funding Landscape and Diverse Communities Strategies for Positioning Projects
Amber Collins
Mark Thomas
DIALOGUE 3
June 18, 2024 | 8:00-10:00 am
Fueling the Future: Advancing Hydrogen Technology and Infrastructure in the Inland Empire
DIALOGUE 4
August 20, 2024 | 8:00-10:00 am
Strategies for Strengthening the IE’s Transportation Workforce
DIALOGUE 5
October 15, 2024 | 8:00-10:00 am
The Interplay of Aviation and Ground Transportation in the IE’s Goods Movement Sector
DIALOGUE 6
December 10, 2024 | 8:00-10:00 am
How Does State Policy Shape the Transportation Landscape of the IE Region?
PREVIOUS DIALOGUES
DIALOGUE 1
February 20, 2024 | 8:00-10:00 am
Safeguarding Inland Empire's Public Transportation Networks: Challenges and Solutions for Transit Security
GUEST SPEAKERS
SPEAKER 1
Gene Luevano | Lead Transportation Security Inspector with U.S. Department of Homeland Security
SPEAKER 2
John Curley | Chief of Safety and Security for Foothill Transit
SPEAKER 3
Isabel Cervantes | Intelligence and Crime Analysis with Homeland Security Concentration Student at California State University, San Bernardino
Lorraine Lopez | Intelligence and Crime Analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Concentration Graduate of California State University, San Bernardino
Raquel Guerrero | Criminal Justice Student at California State University, San Bernardino
The Issue
As mobility plays a pivotal role in shaping the accessibility and opportunities within any region, addressing inequality and bridging gaps in transportation funding is essential. The Inland Empire, with its diverse communities and evolving transportation needs, requires a strategic approach that ensures fairness and inclusivity in allocating resources. This Dialogue will address the different perspective of how funding should be allocated to have an equitable system.
Agenda
8:00-8:10 am - WELCOMING REMARKS: HNTB; Omnitrans; CSUSB
8:10-8:15 am - AUDIENCE POLL #1
8:15-8:30 am - SPEAKER
Lacy Vong, HNTB
8:30-8:35 am - AUDIENCE POLL #2
8:35-8:50 am - SPEAKER
Warren Whiteaker, SCAG
8:50-8:55 am - AUDIENCE POLL #3
8:55-9:20 am - SPEAKERS
Steve Smith, SBCTA
Monique Arellano, San Bernardino Council of Governments & SBCTA
Andrea Zureick, SBCTA
9:20-9:25 am - AUDIENCE POLL #4
9:25-9:40 am - SPEAKER
Amber Collins, Mark Thomas
9:40-9:55 am - Discussion
9:55-10:00 am - Wrap-Up and Adjourn
Speaker Bios
Lacy Vong
Operations Manager & Senior Project Manager
Lacy Vong has several roles at HNTB including the Operations Manager for the Northern California & Nevada region, a Project Manager, and subject matter expert on transportation equity. She has over 20 years of experience analyzing government requirements and regulations for a wide range of programs; and helping federal agencies and grantees navigate those requirements. As a Project Manager, Lacy focuses on helping transportation agencies achieve equitable outcomes on projects and programs. She is passionate about ensuring benefits are distributed equitably when it comes to delivery of public goods and services. Prior to joining HNTB, she was an Assistant Director of Field Operations for the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) providing leadership to the Oakland Field Office. Lacy is an active member in several professional associations and her community. She holds a Master of Science in Public Policy & Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a BA in Economics from the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
Warren Whiteaker
Manager of Integrated Planning & Programming
Warren Whiteaker serves as the Manager of Integrated Planning & Programming Department with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), where he leads the agency’s Federal Transportation Improvement Program, transportation system integration, transportation finance, aviation, and strategic projects efforts. He is passionate about stakeholder engagement in the planning and development of innovative transportation solutions that reflect both community and environmental stewardship values. Warren earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Analysis & Design from the University of California at Irvine and a Master’s of City & Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Steve Smith
Director of Planning and Regional Programs
Steve Smith is the Director of Planning and Regional Programs for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). He is responsible for the advance planning of multimodal transportation projects, development of sub-regional and corridor plans, leading the Planning Department in its pursuit of grant funding for transportation and sustainability initiatives, and coordinating with regional agencies such as the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and other county transportation commissions.
Monique Arellano
Chief of San Bernardino Council of Governments and Equity Programs
Monique Arellano serves as the Chief of San Bernardino Council of Governments and Equity Programs for San Bernardino Council of Governments and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. In this position she works to implement the goals of the San Bernardino Countywide Vision, works to identify and implement the priorities of the Board of Directors, and works to establish and implement policy through the lens of equity in matters both internal to the agency and external projects within the boundaries of the member agencies. Prior to this, she served at the City of Fontana for 10 years and worked as an analyst supporting Transportation Project Management, Planning, and Public Policy.
Andrea Zureick
Director of Fund Administration
Andrea Zureick is the Director of Fund Administration for the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). She leads her department in proposing and securing allocations of state, federal, and local Measure I sales tax funding for the development and implementation of multimodal transportation projects through approvals by the SBCTA Board of Directors and the California Transportation Commission (CTC). She coordinates with the Southern California Association of Governments to program funding for projects in the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) and the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). Her department prepares the biennial 10-Year Delivery Plan for Measure I projects.
Amber Collins
Senior Project Manager
Amber Collins is a Senior Project Manager at Mark Thomas in the Transportation Division, supporting clients in funding and delivering transportation planning and infrastructure projects. Amber has over 14 years of experience working in the private and public sectors of the transportation industry in California. Amber has a comprehensive background in developing multimodal and corridor studies and an understanding of state and federal policies and priorities, such as equity and environmental sustainability, and how to align local projects to secure funding. Prior to the private sector, Amber served as the Executive Director of the Calaveras Council of Governments (CCOG) where she coordinated funding and project delivery with local partners, Caltrans, and funding agencies, and guided strategic planning and policy development. Amber holds a Master of Science in Engineering and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Platinum Sponsors
HNTB
HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure solutions firm serving public and private owners and contractors. HNTB’s work in California dates back to its founding in 1914. Today, HNTB continues to grow in size and service offerings to its clients in California. HNTB’s eight California office locations, including one in the Inland Empire, currently employ more than 350 full-time professionals. With more than a century of service, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure projects and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial, and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, program management, and construction management. For more information, visit www.hntb.com.
San Bernardino International Airport
Located approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles and within 30 minutes of more than two million people, the former Norton Air Force Base was converted to civilian use in 1992 and later became certified as a commercial-service airport by the FAA. Scheduled passenger service began in August 2022, with Breeze Airways’ nonstop flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and one-stop, same-plane service to Provo, Utah (PVU). New coast-to-coast flights on Breeze Airways to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and one-stop, same-plane service to Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Hartford, Connecticut, begin February 15, 2024. In June 2023 San Bernardino International Airport was identified as the most affordable airport in the nation based on average air fare during calendar year 2022 according to the US Department of Transportation as reported by Travel + Leisure magazine. The Airport also offers a full range of services and facilities to support additional domestic and international passenger airline service, air cargo operations, general aviation, and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) businesses. The domestic passenger terminal is located at 105 N. Leland Norton Way, San Bernardino, CA, off the I-10 and I-210 freeways. On-airport parking is only $5.00 per day. For more information, please visit FlySBD.com.
Ontario International Airport
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which, before the coronavirus pandemic, offered nonstop commercial jet service to 26 major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino Valley College Heavy/Medium Truck Program
The Heavy/Medium Duty Truck Technology program at San Bernardino Valley College students receive training in various subjects including brake, suspension, computer controlled engines, emphasis in electrical and heavy duty maintenance, engine overhaul and Zero emission EV vehicles. Students working for certificates must have a basic knowledge of arithmetic, reading and writing to learn and work in the occupations they select. The department has one of the best training facilities in the Inland Empire. Job placement opportunities are substantial though the department's network of employers. If you would like to learn more, please visit our website: www.valleycollege.edu.
SBVC was the recipient of a 2012 Cascadia Luxury Truck, donated by Velocity Vehicle Group and Daimler Trucks North America. This three-axle truck, which uses a new compressed natural gas energy source, will be used for the program’s students to work on for class projects. The department also received a 4500 rugged duty series transmission, donated by Allison Transmission, to further provide premium technical training. In collaboration with the SBVC Foundation, the Heavy/Medium Duty Diesel Truck Program was awarded several grants from Southern California Gas from 2016 to present. Funds were used to purchase supplies for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) system alternative fuels course. In addition, the program also partnered with South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Project for their Volvo Low Light Impact Green Heavy Transport Solutions (LIGHTS) grant project application. SBVC was a sub-recipient in the amount of $200,000, which will allow the development of curriculum hands-on education with the Volvo electric trucks.
Gold Sponsors
Woodruff
SoCalGas
Omnitrans
Omnitrans is the award-winning public transit agency serving the San Bernardino Valley, connecting our community with coordinated and sustainable transit service. The agency currently operates local and express bus routes, sbX bus rapid transit service, OmniRide microtransit service, and Access paratransit service for people with disabilities. Omnitrans also is a major regional employer, with more than 500 direct employees.
The agency carries approximately 6 million passengers each year throughout its 480-square mile service area, covering 15 cities and portions of unincorporated San Bernardino County. Major destinations within the Omnitrans service area include transportation centers, medical centers, schools, and shopping, business, and community centers. More information can be found at Omnitrans.org. Please follow @Omnitrans on social media channels.
U.S. National Science Foundation
The NSF supports the Dialogue Series through the S-STEM program (award # DUE-2322436), and recognizes the importance of 1) building a forum for engaging local communities on transportation-related topics, 2) increasing career awareness among undergraduate students, and 3) creating connections and opportunities through alignment with related initiatives and events.
Silver Sponsors
BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY!
Leonard Transportation Center provides Inland Empire problem-solvers with a forum to engage in essential discussion.
If you would like more information about becoming a sponsor for the Inland Empire Mobility Dialogue Series, please contact the Leonard Transportation Center at ltc@csusb.edu or call at (909) 537-5094.