SUMC and AASHTO Transit Innovation Workshop Series
5 minutes Author: Shared-Use Mobility Center Date Launched/Enacted: Apr 2, 2025 Date Published: April 2, 2025
State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are supporting shared mobility and transit technology solutions to improve transit access, service coordination, and payment integration at the local level, particularly in small-urban and rural communities.
To highlight some of the work state DOTs are doing to support mobility innovation and improve public transit, the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) partnered with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for a four-part virtual workshop series. Practitioners from State DOTs, technical assistance centers, and other organizations involved in this space joined the workshops to discuss how State DOTs are supporting urban and rural communities with coordination, service integration, and innovative technologies.
Each of the four virtual workshops addresses a specific topic, discussing the potential benefits and of these solutions and strategies to support their adoption, and includes guests from state DOTs to discuss state-level initiatives.
Workshop 1: State DOT Support for the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS)
The first workshop showcased how state DOTs are helping small urban and rural communities’ use data standards like GTFS to make public transportation more discoverable and usable. Participants learned about technology solutions, tools, and creative procurement methods to obtain them. Featuring:
- Thomas Craig: Transportation Planner with the Washington State Department of Transportation
- Janet Geissler: Mobility Innovations Specialist with the Michigan Department of Transportation
Workshop 2: How to Get From Here to There: Trip Planning Apps
The second workshop covered how to build open and interoperable public transit and mobility trip planning apps to support transportation access across urban and rural areas. The workshop discussed technology needs, working across public and private sectors, and procurement considerations. Featuring:
- Jeremy Whiting: Public Transit Program Coordinator with the Vermont Agency of Transportation
- Elliott McFadden: Mobility Management Unit Supervisor (Interim) with the Minnesota DOT
Workshop 3: Integrated Payment: Coordinating Payment Solutions across Transportation Services
Workshop 3 focused on a range of payment options, including open technology solutions. Participants explored integrated fare payment systems, including open technology solutions and statewide procurement considerations that can help simplify adoption. Featuring:
- Gillian Gillett: Chief, Division of Data & Digital Services Program Manager, California Integrated Mobility Program, with the California Department of Transportation
- Troy Green: Program Delivery Manager with the Georgia Department of Transportation Division of Intermodal Programs
- Daniel Baker: Transportation Supervising Planner with the Connecticut Department of Transportation
Workshop 4: More Ways to Move: Using Microtransit to Connect Communities
The final workshop discussed state-level support for microtransit programs, including how state DOTs can help build capacity for small agencies. The workshop covered technology considerations, microtransit service objectives, procurement lessons learned, how to effectively reach rural communities, program sustainability, and funding considerations, and discussed how other states can adopt those practices. Featuring:
- Tiffany Dubinsky: Director of Transit Planning with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
- Brennon Fuqua: Director, Integrated Mobility Division with the North Carolina Department of Transportation
Summary coming soon.