Conference Program

Systems Lifecycle Engineering, Why It Matters: Systems fail at technical interfaces. Projects fail at programmatic or organizational interfaces. Often, the acquiring agency becomes the unintended (DeFacto) systems integrator when the various suppliers are finished. The agency has to make it all work together in the end! 

This session shows you how to intentionally execute systems integration (and when / how to deploy an independent integration expert). In many cases, there are intellectual property concerns from a “black box supplier” which must be addressed. This especially true when software-centric products are acquired. How does the black box interface with agency systems? The presentation will provide real-world lessons learned and a practical, process-based systematic approach for Interface Management and Systems Integration.

CEU Credits:
ENGINEERS 1.0 

In this session, we will discuss with two agencies what recent programs they have implemented to entice riders back, how they used technology to make these programs work for both riders and the agency, and what were some of the challenges they faced in the rollout. 

We will hear from SEPTA about how they created a special program called Key Advantage Partners in a six month pilot that started in 2022 that is now converting into an ongoing program being rolled out city wide.  And we will hear how King County Metro launched the first digital transit ticketing program for a professional sports franchise in North America wherein riders can now plan their trip, show their event ticket, and buy merchandise in a single app and can even get a free public transit ticket to the game, which was the impetus for their innovative Transit GO Rewards program. 

With account based systems becoming more prominant, open payments and special smart cards, phone based apps and tap credit cards can now be used within the transit agency fare collection system. As more account based systems are utilized, a variat for payment tokens will start to be seen as options for payments. 

In today's digitized world, the transit industry has embraced technological advancements to streamline fare collection systems and enhance passenger experience. However, with increased connectivity and reliance on digital platforms, the vulnerability to cyber threats has also escalated. As transit systems become lucrative targets for malicious actors seeking financial gain or causing disruption, it is essential to prioritize cyber security in fare collection.

As transit’s landscape rapidly evolves, the future of fare collection and data management in transit systems presents a multitude of opportunities and challenges. This thought-provoking session dives deep into the innovative technologies and strategies that will shape the future of fare collection, data, and technology in transit. 

Join us as we bring together industry experts, technologists, and visionaries who are at the forefront of revolutionizing fare collection and harnessing data in public transportation. 

CEU Credits:
PLANNERS & ENGINEERS 1.25

Join us for a deeper dive into Systems Lifecycle Engineering! This workshop will provide hands-on exercises. You will write higher-quality requirement statements, understand the merits of managing requirements using metrics, and see how to avoid common project pitfalls. Facilitators for this APTA workshop will provide practical instruction on critical aspects of Systems Lifecycle Engineering including:
 

(1) High Quality Requirements Writing,

(2) Verification (of design and delivery) to Requirements and,

(3) Validation of requirements, designs, and integrated systems.

This workshop will focus on developing real-world skills training by providing a practical, process-based systematic approach for the writing and use of requirements. Participants will learn how to:

1. Describe the lifecycle of a requirement, its attributes, and their importance.

2. Write high quality requirements.

3. Understand the critical difference between Design statements and Requirements.

4. Identify major stakeholders and how to elicit their needs and requirements.

Please Note: This workshop is limited to 60 participants and requires an additional $75 registration fee.

Take a trip on an OCTA zero-emission fuel-cell electric bus and tour OCTA’s Hydrogen Fueling Facility and Battery-Electric Bus Charging Depot. As part of the plan to convert the OC Bus fleet to 100 percent zero-emission technology by 2040, OCTA is piloting both battery-electric buses and hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses. The tour consists of visiting two OCTA bus bases deploying different zero-emission technologies. First, participants will be transported to OCTA’s Santa Ana bus base which houses the Hydrogen Fueling Facility. Attendees will receive a guided walk-through of OCTA’s bus operations building, maintenance shops, and hydrogen fueling station. Next, participants will be transported to OCTA’s Garden Grove bus base and walk-through the Central Communications Center, electric operator relief vehicles, and electric-bus charging station depot. The tour offers a firsthand look into the advanced technologies employed to support the zero-emission bus fleet. The tour requires moderate walking. Please wear comfortable and closed toe shoes.
 

Capacity Limit: 30 partiicpants

Please note: There's only one tour given at three different times. To sign up for this time slot only, click the following link: https://www.research.net/r/C8FJKQN

Take a trip on an OCTA zero-emission fuel-cell electric bus and tour OCTA’s Hydrogen Fueling Facility and Battery-Electric Bus Charging Depot. As part of the plan to convert the OC Bus fleet to 100 percent zero-emission technology by 2040, OCTA is piloting both battery-electric buses and hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses. The tour consists of visiting two OCTA bus bases deploying different zero-emission technologies. First, participants will be transported to OCTA’s Santa Ana bus base which houses the Hydrogen Fueling Facility. Attendees will receive a guided walk-through of OCTA’s bus operations building, maintenance shops, and hydrogen fueling station. Next, participants will be transported to OCTA’s Garden Grove bus base and walk-through the Central Communications Center, electric operator relief vehicles, and electric-bus charging station depot. The tour offers a firsthand look into the advanced technologies employed to support the zero-emission bus fleet. The tour requires moderate walking. Please wear comfortable and closed toe shoes.
 

Capacity Limit: 30 participants

Please note: There's only one tour given at three different times. To sign up for this time slot only, click the following link: https://www.research.net/r/ZSGH5QK

Take a trip on an OCTA zero-emission fuel-cell electric bus and tour OCTA’s Hydrogen Fueling Facility and Battery-Electric Bus Charging Depot. As part of the plan to convert the OC Bus fleet to 100 percent zero-emission technology by 2040, OCTA is piloting both battery-electric buses and hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses. The tour consists of visiting two OCTA bus bases deploying different zero-emission technologies. First, participants will be transported to OCTA’s Santa Ana bus base which houses the Hydrogen Fueling Facility. Attendees will receive a guided walk-through of OCTA’s bus operations building, maintenance shops, and hydrogen fueling station. Next, participants will be transported to OCTA’s Garden Grove bus base and walk-through the Central Communications Center, electric operator relief vehicles, and electric-bus charging station depot. The tour offers a firsthand look into the advanced technologies employed to support the zero-emission bus fleet. The tour requires moderate walking. Please wear comfortable and closed toe shoes.
 

Capacity Limit: 30 partiicpants

Please note: There's only one tour given at three different times. To sign up for this time slot only, click the following link: https://www.research.net/r/C8BTW5R

This workshop session is the 2nd in a series of events this year building on the work of the Technology Standards Policy and Planning Committee. FTA to give introductory remarks. In March, public and private stakeholders sat down with the FTA's Office of Innovation for a listening exercise to discuss ongoing data standards needs. This APTAtech workshop will walk through current and future procurement needs, which the committee plans to incorporate into next year's Technology Standards Policy and Planning Committee work. Note: There has been a submittal for a 3rd session to be held at APTA TRANSform that will briefly discuss the outcomes of the previous sessions as well as act as an update on FTA's positioning for data, including the recent RFP for a new Transit Standards Development Program.

During this workshop, roundtable discussions have participants consider best practices for technology procurements as we move towards more innovation and data interoperability, different purchasing models such as SaaS/Subscription-based or cloud-hosted systems, working with cooperative agreements, and intellectual property concerns. Gather with peers and help create baseline guidance for future technology procurement best practices. This is a workshop-style session where we will look for input on the following topics: Intellectual Property (IP), Software as a Service (SaaS) Procurements, Continuous Solutions/System Upgrades & Maintenance, Customization & Ownership of Developments and Feature Enhancements, Ownership of Data, Procuring Innovation, Procurement Best Practices.

Public transportation is essential to people and communities! At the same time, the future of our sector promises to be a dynamic and evolving landscape – shifting travel and commutation patterns, important demographic changes – public expectations, preferences, behavior, and unrest; increasing climatic impacts, economic instability, and a host of geopolitical considerations – just to name a few. Amidst these momentous changes – how “WE” – “public transportation professionals and organizations” message and demonstrate our “value” proposition. And rise to the challenge of working “WITH” people, communities, and other important stakeholders and constituencies -- will be a major determinant of our future.  

In this transformative period – including rapid technological change, public transportation as we have known it – is grappling with complicated questions, major changes and shifts that have significant implications for people, communities, and society. Most of which have not been caused by transit. But are so integral to our daily lives that we are being challenged to “fundamentally rethink some of our basic beliefs about how we best serve our customers and communities.” 

The way we collect fares –the advent of contactless payment systems and mobile ticketing, the IT systems that keep our transportation networks running smoothly; the rise of autonomous vehicles, the emergence of smart cities; and a virtual ZEV/electrification transformation. ALL offering both “potential” opportunities to significantly expand personal mobility options and community benefits, along with greater efficiency and effectiveness. But, at the same time -- posing some real challenges -- affordability, access, equity considerations,“people-readiness” and workforce development, equity considerations – just to name a few. 

In this keynote address, we pinpoint some of the important shifts taking place.Take a look at some of the new and emerging technologies. Share a few inspiring stories and examples about how to effectively lead, adapt, and forge new paths. And, provide some thoughts and suggestions – both “personal” and “organizational” on how to reset, lead, transform, and grow (“add value”) in this period of disruption, change, and transformation.