2026 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR PDW & Transit Safety and Operations Summit: Full Schedule

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8:00am EDT

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

This vehicle maintenance session will provide updates and technical insights from several key equipment and system manufacturers.

Wabtec will present the latest developments in their Vapor door, ETO and CLASS systems.
CarbonTek will address common issues found within both intake and after treatment systems offering guidance on identifying early warning signs and applying effective corrective measures.
Spheros will share information about new SC510 control system.
An overview of Braun’s new Dual Parallel Arm will also be presented.

Speakers

Chris Porter

Service Manager, Spheros North America

I'm a seasoned field service and technical training professional with over 11 years of expertise at Spheros, specializing in installations, on-site technical support, and team leadership. Skilled in managing field technicians and streamlining service operations, with a proven track... Read More →

Richard Waddington

Owner, CarbonTek USA

Over the last 10 years we have developed a technology based on Hydrogen Gas to removing carbon deposits from engines and reduce aftertreatment issues. Our system is a preventative maintenance program which is very effective on short distance high idle vehicles.

Todd O'Neal

Eddie Patane

Mike Shannon

Webtec

Meet Mike Shannon, part of our Sales & Service South Eastern Region team for the past five years. Mike enjoys boating and golfing outside of work and values the family-like atmosphere here at Wabtec Bus Solutions.
He's proud of the work he does with his Transit agencies, buildin... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Magnolia Room

Meeting

8:00am EDT

Level Up Your Leadership – Transit Immersion Leadership Experience (TILE)

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Salons F & G

Launched in 2022 by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), TILE is a dynamic year-long leadership development program for leaders at all levels. Participants engage in shared learning, innovation, and skill enhancement throughout the program, gaining invaluable insights into partner agencies' operations.
Take advantage of our special presentation featuring the Class of 2026 showcasing their final projects. But that's not all! Dive deeper into how you can become a part of future cohorts and unlock this program's incredible benefits

Moderators

Liliane Finke

President, ExecuCoach360 Training and Consulting, LLC

Dr. Liliane M. Finke, Ed.D., ExecuCoach360 President
As a leadership development consultant, Dr. Liliane M. Finke offers over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors and is a seasoned professional with a strong vision and mission to initiate a positive impact on the workplace by supporting the development of indiv... Read More →

Speakers

Stephanie Lewis

Workforce Development Project Manager, USF/CUTR

Stephanie Lewis, M.Ed., is currently a Workforce Development Project Manager and Instructional Designer at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. She has a wide range of skills in online and instructor led course development, webinar coordination, video production... Read More →

Robert Dutremble

Director Fleet Maintenance, Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Maria DeJesus

Transit Coordinator, FDOT

Maria serves as a Passenger Operations Specialist III (Transit Programs Coordinator) in the Modal Development Office at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in Tampa, Florida. She supports public transportation systems throughout District 7, which includes Citrus, Hernando... Read More →

Candice Kennon

Administrator, Suwannee Valley Transit Authority

Candice T. Kennon, CPM, MSM, serves as the Administrator for the Suwannee Valley Transit Authority in Live Oak, Florida. She brings more than 20 years of experience working within government agencies, with expertise in public administration, budget management, procurement, human resources... Read More →

Douglas Steiger

Assistant Director, Pasco County Public Transportation

Douglas Steiger, is currently the Assistant Public Transportation Director for Pasco County Public Transportation. In his role, he oversees contract negotiation and management, the demand response service program, the agency transit asset management plan, and community outreach... Read More →

Charles Abbatantuono

Senior Planner, LYNX

Charles Abbatantuono is a Senior Planner with LYNX’s Strategic Planning Department. Charles is an Orlando native who has a passion for helping guide development in his hometown sustainably so visitors and residents can continue to enjoy the City Beautiful for generations to come... Read More →

Rachael Cappolla

Executive Assistant/Certified Records Manager, PSTA

Rachael Cappolla is currently the Executive Assistant/Certified Records Manager for Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) in Pinellas County, Florida. She has over 35 years of experience as an administrative professional, working in both public schools and the transit industry. Originally fro... Read More →

Liz Soriano

Project Manager, Collier Area Transit

Liz Soriano is a Project Manager for Collier Area Transit. With over 22 years of dedicated public service experience within Collier County Government, including 7 years in transit Project Management, she brings extensive experience in planning, coordinating, and delivery of construction... Read More →

Sandra Stanley

Miami-Dade DTPW

I am a proud mother of two daughters and a seasoned Miami‑Dade County transit professional with over 30 years of experience in operations, workforce management, and service delivery. I currently serve as Superintendent of Bus Operations, where I lead operator performance oversight... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Salons F & G

Panel Presentation

8:00am EDT

Securing the Journey: How Transportation Entities Prepare for Large‑Venue Events

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Cypress Room

This session will outline a holistic security framework for transportation providers facing high‑profile events, covering critical training such as Active Assailant, De‑Escalation, See Something Say Something, and First Observer Plus. We’ll explore how regular intel briefings from local law enforcement, the FBI, Secret Service, and TSA keep staff informed and agile. Participants will learn to maintain living security policies, annual reviews, management sign‑offs, and continuous assessments like BASE and SETA, to ensure procedures stay current. Finally, we’ll demonstrate how tabletop drills, covert, and overt assessments, and cyber threat vulnerability exercises test and validate readiness for the next big security incident.

Speakers

Paul Meyer

Hans Phifer

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Cypress Room

Presentation

8:00am EDT

Comprehensive Guidance on FMCSA USDOT Numbers for Florida Vehicles

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Salons A - C

Please join us for this important training, presented by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), that will guide you through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements of obtaining, maintaining, and displaying US Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers on applicable vehicles. The presenter will explain all relevant Federal laws and State Statutes that support the use of USDOT numbers on applicable vehicles. Pertinent resources will also be provided.

Speakers

Charles Smalley

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Salons A - C

Training

10:00am EDT

Advanced Air Mobility – The Future of Moving People

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Salons A - C

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) represents the next frontier in transportation—leveraging innovative aircraft technology to enable the safe, efficient, sustainable movement of people and goods at low altitudes. This session will cover the definition, core technologies, regulatory landscape, and commercial opportunities of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). It is designed for professionals who may be new to space but want a rapid, high-level understanding that can be applied to strategy, operations, or policy.

Moderators

Ken Sides

TYLin

Ken Sides is a Professional Engineer licensed by the State of Florida who has spent much of his career as project manager for modern roundabouts and Complete Street projects intended to improve the safety and livability of intersections and streets for both motorized and non-motorized... Read More →

Speakers

Richard Lesniak

Airport Manager, Albert Whitted Airport, City of St. Petersburg

Richard has been with the City of St. Petersburg for over twenty-three (23) years serving in the capacity of Airport Manager during this entire period. In this position, he is responsible for the daily operation and upkeep of the Albert Whitted Airport. This includes maintaining... Read More →

Sierra LePore

Director of Planning, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority

Sierra LePore is the Director of Planning at the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority which owns and operates 4 airports within its system: Tampa International Airport, Tampa Executive Airport, Peter O’Knight Airport, and Plant City Airport. Sierra joined HCAA in April 2024 where... Read More →

Jacques Coulon

Transportation Planning Division Manager, City of Orlando

Jacques leads the City’s efforts on preparing for Advanced Air Mobility and works on a variety of transportation planning efforts including the City’s planned Lake Highland/Alden Road realignment project and Virginia Dr. corridor study. In his current role with the City’s Transportation... Read More →

Santh Sathya

Founder, LuftCar

Santh Sathya founded LuftCar - an autonomous air and road mobility eVTOL mobility company in March 2021. He is also the CEO of LuftCar and serves on its board of directors.

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Salons A - C

Panel Presentation

10:00am EDT

Building the Transit Workforce Pipeline: Inside the Transit Core Competencies Curriculum (TC3)

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Cypress Room

Transit agencies nationwide are working to strengthen the skills and confidence of their maintenance and operations workforce, both new employees entering the industry and current employees needing upskilling. To meet this growing demand, the Transit Workforce Center, FTA’s technical assistance center for workforce development, developed the Transit Core Competencies Curriculum (TC3), a nationally informed program built by frontline subject matter experts (SME) that equips today’s transit workforce with the essential mechanical, electrical, computer, math, and industry-awareness knowledge and skills.
In this interactive session, participants will explore how TC3 can be used to reinforce foundational skills, support upskilling pathways; build greater confidence and consistency across maintenance and operations teams; and to support the development of career pipelines. The session will feature a “mini Train-the-Trainer” demonstration, showing how instructors can make the most of TC3 materials, along with a guided skills-gap mapping activity to illustrate how agencies can tailor the curriculum to meet local needs. Attendees will also hear real-world examples of how agencies are implementing the program to support growth and long-term workforce development.
By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical tools, implementation ideas, and a clearer understanding of how foundational skills training can strengthen recruitment, reduce time-to-competency, and support long-term workforce development across transit roles.

Speakers

Kristen Ribaudo

Kristen Ribaudo is the Project Manager of Instructional Design at the International Transportation Learning Center/Transit Workforce Center, where she leads the Rail Training Consortiums and Transit Core Competencies Curriculum (TC3) initiatives. With more than a decade of experience... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Cypress Room

Presentation

10:00am EDT

FTA Drug & Alcohol Testing Program Updates

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Magnolia Room

This session will highlight lessons learned from the recent FTA drug and alcohol program audit of nine FDOT sub-recipient agencies and will provide updates on topics such as oral fluid testing, the potential reclassification of marijuana, the addition of fentanyl to the DOT testing panel, and more. The session will conclude with the ever-popular “state of the state” - an analysis of the drug testing data from 2025.

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Magnolia Room

Presentation

10:00am EDT

Navigating the ADA Toolkit for Transit Services

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Salons F & G

Join Enjoli Dixon for a session on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it applies to public transportation services. This session will cover key regulations, standards, and service type requirements, including fixed route bus, demand response, and ADA complementary paratransit services. Learn about vehicle and facility accessibility, accommodating riders with mobility devices, and ensuring effective customer service for all riders, including those with service animals. We will also dive into important topics like rider information, outreach, emergency management, funding considerations, and new developments in the field. Also, sample policy templates for various service types, along with a template for the ADA paratransit eligibility appeal process, will be provided to help you maintain compliance and provide high-quality services to all riders.

Speakers

Enjoli Dixon

National RTAP

Enjoli Dixon is the Founder of Mobilitique Consulting, where she provides transportation planning, training, technical assistance, grant writing, outreach, and capacity-building services focused on urban, rural, tribal, and mobility management initiatives. She also serves as an Advisor... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Salons F & G

Training

12:00pm EDT

General Session: Welcome Luncheon (pre-registration required)

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT

Salons D & E

Relax and network with your peers after the morning of professional development. FPTA, FDOT, and CUTR representatives will be on hand to welcome everyone to this annual event. We will honor the graduates of the Transit Immersion Leadership Experience (TILE).

Speakers

Stephanie Lewis

Workforce Development Project Manager, USF/CUTR

Lisa Bacot

Executive Director, Florida Public Transportation Association (FPTA)

Tony Brandin

Central Office Transit Operations Manager, FDOT

Tony Brandin serves as the State Transit Operations Manager at the Florida Department of Transportation in Tallahassee. Working in coordination with the Center for Urban Transportation Research, Lively Paratransit Instructional Program, and the Crashworthiness and Impact Analysis Laboratory, wh... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Salons D & E

Lunch

1:15pm EDT

Technology-Enabled Service Design for Improved On-Demand Transit

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Salons A - C

Transit agencies across Florida are exploring tech-enabled, on-demand service strategies to improve operational efficiency, better align service with demand, and respond to changing travel patterns. This session begins with a presentation summarizing a CUTR white paper on emerging on-demand transit service models in Florida, with a focus on service design considerations, implementation lessons, and key research needs. That presentation will be followed by an overview of microtransit-related highlights from this year’s APTA Mobility Conference. The session will then shift to an interactive panel discussion with representatives from Florida transit agencies and active audience participation. Panelists will share perspectives from their agencies’ experience and discuss how tech-enabled routing, service design decisions, and performance monitoring can be used to improve on-demand service delivery.

Potential discussion threads include:

What kinds of problems agencies are trying to solve through these service strategies

Lessons learned and challenges agencies have encountered

How routing and dispatch technology is being used in practice

Service design trade-offs, such as zones, fleet deployment, and service span

How agencies are thinking about performance, including productivity, wait times, cost per trip, and broader service value

Moderators

Jennifer Flynn

Senior Research Associate, Center for Urban Transportation Research/USF

Speakers

Jarice Rodriguez

Interim Chief of Paratransit Program & Mobility Services, Miami-Dade DTPW

Ms. Jarice Rodriguez serves as the Chief of Paratransit Operations and Mobility Services at the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), where she leads the County’s paratransit and on-demand mobility programs. She is responsible for advancing the... Read More →

Carlos Cruz-Casas

VP of Mobility Innovation, TYLin | City Solutions

For over 17 years, Carlos Cruz-Casas has been a driving force in urban mobility, delivering transformative projects in both public and private sectors. From pioneering innovative mobility solutions to leading complex bus network redesigns, he consistently improves operational efficiency... Read More →

Tracy Jahn

Tracy Jahn is St. Lucie County’s Transit Operations Manager. She joined the Transit Team in September 2020. Tracy is responsible for overseeing operational and fiscal aspects of the County’s transit system, Area Regional Transit (ART), and other special transit programs... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Salons A - C

Panel Presentation

1:15pm EDT

Drug & Alcohol Testing Program Scenarios & Solutions

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Magnolia Room

During this interactive session, the speaker will present 5 problematic scenarios that may arise in your agency’s FTA drug & alcohol testing program. Participants will collaborate and discuss how they would respond to the scenario. Speaker will provide regulatory guidance and best practices to help participants reach the compliant solution for each of the testing scenarios.

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Magnolia Room

Presentation

1:15pm EDT

The Engagement Gap: Overcoming Barriers to Public Involvement in Transit Planning

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Cypress Room

Effective public involvement is essential for creating a transit system that meets the needs of the communities it serves. In this session, an expert panel will share their insights, and participants will engage in collaborative discussions to explore effective practices for public involvement, share common challenges, and identify practical, real-world solutions to improve engagement. By the end of the session, you will be equipped with a toolkit of strategies to ensure that the voices of your community actively shape the future of transit.

Moderators

Tia Boyd

Research Associate, CUTR

Tia Boyd, AICP, is a Research Associate with the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. Tia’s work focuses on transportation decision-making with an emphasis on access management, interagency coordination, public participation, strategic and organizational ma... Read More →

Speakers

Jonathan Roberson

Research Associate, Center for Urban Transportation Research/USF

Jonathan Roberson, AICP, is currently a Research Associate with the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation (CUTR). Jonathan has over twenty years of expertise in transit planning and project implementation, including leadership positions at Manatee County... Read More →

Donny Murray

Donny Murray is the Manager of Community & Business Engagement at Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, FL. During his 10 years with HART, Donny has been responsible for educational outreach strategy, public involvement, grassroots marketing, and stakeholder engagement to... Read More →

Jason Jackman

Urban Planner III (N/S), Mobility, City of Tampa

Jason Jackman is an Urban Planner with the City of Tampa’s Mobility Department, specializing in multimodal transportation planning and safety initiatives. He brings extensive experience in managing transportation safety campaigns, developing and evaluating micromobility programs... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Cypress Room

Presentation

1:15pm EDT

Transit Asset Management (TAM) – Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Rural Transit Agencies

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Salons F & G

Transit Asset Management is a strategic, systematic approach to managing capital assets throughout their life cycles to optimize performance, control risks and costs, and ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective transit service. This workshop highlights practical lessons learned and proven best practices tailored to the distinct operating realities, resource constraints, and unique challenges faced by rural transit agencies.

Speakers

Elizabeth Bechtel

As a transportation planner, Ms. Bechtel has contributed to a variety of transportation projects and activities including transit asset management, transit technology studies, transit systems design, feasibility studies, strategic business plans, grant applications, proposal support... Read More →

Aarion Franklin

Aarion Franklin, Ph.D., AICP is an accomplished transportation planner with experience in transit planning, asset management, and long-range planning. He is an associate vice president with Michael Baker International and currently manages their Florida planning practice. Dr. Franklin... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Salons F & G

Presentation

3:15pm EDT

Successfully Dealing with Annoying People

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Cypress Room

Have you ever said, “That person drives me crazy!”? Has anyone ever said that about you? We all have people in our lives who pose challenges. However, people can’t drive you crazy if you don’t give them the keys. This training will give you ideas and concrete practices that you can implement immediately. These proven techniques will assist you in getting along better in your professional and personal relationships. There will always be difficult people, but this fresh perspective on dealing with them can change your life starting now!

Speakers

Carol Wright Kenderdine

Carol Wright Consulting

Carol Wright Kenderdine is a consultant specializing in leadership development, strategic planning, transit management training, board of director training, business plan development, and transit assessments. She is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on accessible transportation... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Cypress Room

Meeting

3:15pm EDT

Analytics in Practice: Turning Performance Data into Better Transit Service

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Salons A - C

This session is supported by the Florida Transit Planning Network (FTPN), and all transit professionals are welcome.
The session will focus on the analytical foundation behind operational modernization and system redesign. Panelists will share how they used available data to diagnose performance issues, evaluate trade-offs, and justify redesigning decisions in various operating environments and service mode types. Emphasis will be on practical applications and how agencies translated analysis into service improvements that resulted in demonstrable efficiencies. Case examples will highlight before/after impacts and how results were communicated to boards, elected officials, and the public to support implementation. PSTA will present an approach to align fixed route service with customer travel demand by peak and off-peak service as well as weekend service. Bayway will provide insight for delivering an innovative TNC/Uber Shared model after real world trial and error with a microtransit model demonstration. This is the session to share how transit agencies redefine and improve fixed route and mobility on demand services based on data analysis.

Moderators

Martin Catala

Program Director, Transit Management and Innovation Group, CUTR

Martin Catala is the Program Director of the Transit Management and Innovation (TMI) Group at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida, where he brings more than 30 years of experience in public transportation research, planning, and program... Read More →

Speakers

Lamar Hobbs

Transit Program Administrator, Bayway

Lamar Hobbs is the Transit Program Administrator of the Bay County Board of County Commissioner’s Transit Department. Having worked in public service for more than 25 years, Lamar’s vast experience coordinating and leading administrative and operational functions has allowed him... Read More →

Devan Deal

Devan Deal is the Planning and Data Analyst Manager at Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority and holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Florida. At PSTA, Devan leads service planning analysis, performance monitoring, and data-driven reporting to support... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Salons A - C

Panel Presentation

3:15pm EDT

Shared Use Session

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Magnolia Room

Microtransit services are expanding across Florida as agencies explore flexible, on-demand mobility options. This session will provide a practical look at microtransit services operating in the state through a set of case studies from VoTran, Palm Tran, and Seminole County. Topics will include service planning, operational strategies, and costs, as well as implementation challenges. Session participants will leave with up-to-date lessons and considerations for designing, launching, and evaluating microtransit programs.

Moderators

Victoria Perk

Program Director, Transit Research Program, CUTR

MA, Economics, University of South Florida, 1993, BA, Economics, Eckerd College, 1992. Specialties: transportation economics, transit system performance analysis, transit development plans, transit service planning, survey design and analysis, statistical analysis.

Speakers

Bobbie King

Director, Transit Services, VOTRAN/Volusia County

Bobbie King (Votran) is a 26-year county employee with Volusia County Government. She currently holds the Transit Services Director position, overseeing Votran. She is experienced in project management, contract management, staff development and is highly regarded for her effective... Read More →

Ronald Jones

Senior Manager of Paratransit, PalmTran

Ron Jones has more than 35 years of experience in the paratransit industry, with hands-on expertise across all aspects of service delivery. He currently oversees Palm Tran Connection, a system that schedules approximately 5,000 passenger trips each weekday across 260 routes.Palm Tran... Read More →

Ji Li

Ji Li serves as the Micro Transit Manager for Seminole County’s Scout program, where he provides day-to-day operational oversight, performance monitoring, strategic planning, inter-agency coordination, and grant development and management.
With 20 years of experience in fixed-route and micro-transit planning and operations, Ji Li previously served as Senior Transit Planner for SunTran in Ocala, Florida. In that role, he successfully secured a $16.1 million Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Low or No Emission Program... Read More →

Kristian Swenson

Assistant County Manager, Seminole County

Kristian Swenson is an Assistant County Manager for Seminole County responsible for providing executive oversight of operational departments, including Environmental Services, Parks and Recreation, Utilities, Fleet & Facilities, and Public Works. These five departments account for... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Magnolia Room

Panel Presentation

3:15pm EDT

Florida Small and Rural Transit Agency Roundtable Discussion – Rural Transit Fleet Mix and Vehicle Size Decision Tools

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT

Salons F & G

This session will feature a roundtable format to discuss a variety of challenges and successes encountered by small and rural transit agencies. This session includes a presentation on using a decision tool to support the selection of an appropriate vehicle fleet; further information is provided below. TRIPS staff will be available to discuss the importance of vehicle inspection during the vehicle acceptance process. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions and issues to share with the moderator, presenters, and their peers.

Rural Transit Fleet Mix and Vehicle Size Decision Tools
Rural public transportation providers face several challenges in determining the proper mix of vehicle types and sizes for their operations. They need to consider the demand for service, passenger characteristics, the types of trips they are providing, service area size and characteristics, trip pattern type, availability of drivers, vehicle cost, and other factors. This presentation will present results from a National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) project that developed guidance and tools to assist state DOTs and rural public transit providers in deciding what types of vehicles will best serve their communities. The presentation will discuss findings from surveys, interviews, and case studies conducted of rural and tribal transit agencies and state DOTs that explore the decision-making process for vehicle procurement; present an analysis of rural transit fleet data; and demonstrate tools that rural agencies can use to help with vehicle fleet mix decisions.

Moderators

Stephanie Lewis

Workforce Development Project Manager, USF/CUTR

Speakers

Lazara Stinnette

TRIPS Assistant Program Manager, University of South Florida CUTR

Lazara Stinnette is an Administrative Specialist for the Transit Safety and Workforce Development Programs at the Center for Urban Transportation Research working on the Transportation Research Inspection Procurement Services (TRIPS) program. Her primary responsibilities include the... Read More →

Carlton Allen

TRIPS Program Manager, CUTR

Carlton Allen is the TRIPS Program Manager and is assigned to the FDOT Springhill Inspection and research facility in Tallahassee. He has worked for the Center for Urban Transportation Research for 15 years. Carlton also interacts with engineering related to crashworthiness testing... Read More →

Jeremy Mattson

Jeremy Mattson is an associate professor of transportation and supply chain at North Dakota State University. Previously he spent 17 years conducting research on rural and small urban transit with the Small Urban and Rural Center on Mobility, a program of the Upper Great Plains Transportation... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 3:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
Salons F & G

Roundtable

5:30pm EDT

Evening Reception

Tuesday June 9, 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm EDT

Waterfall Atrium

As the first day of the workshop draws to an end, please take time to participate in this special two-hour reception that is designed to provide workshop participants the opportunity to network and collaborate with other public transportation professionals in a relaxed environment. For “day trippers,” we encourage you to stick around for the reception and enjoy the interaction with your peers.

Tuesday June 9, 2026 5:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Waterfall Atrium

Reception

2026 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR PDW & Transit Safety and Operations Summit

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