WTS Connecticut Spring 2021 Newsletter

Spring 2021

Newsletter

In this issue: • 2020 TMS

• 2021 LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST • 2020 LEADERSHIP SESSIONS • 2020 TRIVIA WITH ITE EVENT • UPCOMING EVENTS • MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT • GETTING INVOLVED • NEW OFFICERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAPTER VISION: OFFER A WTS CHAPTER THAT PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS TO ITS MEMBERS IN THE AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CAREER SUPPORT, MENTORSHIP, AND STUDENT OUTREACH; OFFERS LEADERSHIP, EDUCATIONAL, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES; ADVANCES WOMEN IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY; AND STRIVES TO FUNCTION IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE MANNER, WITH INTEGRITY AND A COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY.

Tuesday, October 6 October 6-8, 2020 TMS 2020 Session: Transit Recovery: COVID-19 Pandemic Keynote Speaker Julie Brown Address by CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti the Blind. The goal of this project is to work with the commission on understan- ding how new transportation technologies, such as AVs,

The reality about transportation is that it’s future-oriented. If we’re planning for what we have, we’re behind the curve. - Anthony Foxx

Wednesday, October 7 Networking Your Way to Greater Influence & Success presented by Julie Brown. Success is not a solitary act. tive, rapidly implementable tool to expand mobility and access in a community. Their strategic placement advan- ces smart growth principles by increasing transporta- tion choices, strengthening development opportunities, and fostering equity with reliable options for bus tran- sit-dependents. Presenters involved in the planning, designing, and construction of bus priority lanes will relay their experiences implemen- ting bus lanes, including bicycle facility integration, curb use implications, stake- holder/community engage- ment, the role of community advocates, pilot projects, funding, cost sharing, and public policy, drawing from project examples in Boston, MA, where several rapidly implemented bus lanes have already proven successful and more are currently in the works in response to CO- VID-19.

The most successful peo- ple have extensive networks around them to support them and promote them as leaders. You’ve heard of managing up... Networking can be even more powerful because it works for everyone--whether you work for and undersomeone else, or you run your own company and are at the top of your game. Learning objectives included how to: • Facts Gender Parity (or Disparity) • How Women Network Di- fferently Than Men • How to Build an External Network • How to Build a Network @ Work • Steps to Increase Your In- fluence • How to Stay Connected & Influencial During Social Distancing Session: Allies for Change – How Organizations Can Ad- vance Racial Justice, Inclusion and Diversity Presenters: Catherine Burns and Brian Burkhard Company: Jacobs Description: “The Projected Impact that Autonomous Vehicles (AV) Could Have on Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes” is the for the Mas- sachusetts Commission for

Presenters: Lauren Bailey, Director - Climate Policy Felicia Park-Rodgers, Direc- tor - Infrastructure Company: Tri-State Trans- portation Campaign Description: • An analysis of transit’s recovery innovations and challenges • Current efforts to fund transit as well as how ad- vocates and community members may assist with efforts • A long-term projection of what will be necessary to continue to operate and improve transit Session: Public Transit & Mi- cromobility - COVID-19 Res- ponse, Transit-Only Lanes, and Floating Bus Stops Presenters: Eric Burkman, MBTA; Matt Moran, City of Boston; Sandra Clarey, Mc- Mahon Associates Company: MBTA, City of Boston, McMahon Associates Description: Bus priority lanes provide a cost-effec-

might impact job opportuni- ties for the visually impaired (legally blind). One aspiration for this project will be to help effectuate a path from the commission to AV developers, OEMs and even transit vehi- cle manufacturers so that the next generation of vehicles can better serve visually im- paired persons. Session: Regulatory and Policy Updates in NEPA and CEPA Presenters: Kevin Fleming and Lynn Murphy Company: CTDOT - Environ- mental Planning Description: • Recent regulatory chan- ges to NEPA and CEPA • An update on the Depart- ment’s efforts to update and streamline processing of • Categorical Exclusions • A status update on Envi- ronmental Justice Guidance

Thursday, October 8 Presenters: Erica Blonde, AICP, Environmental Planner, HNTB; Amy Getchell, Mana- ger of Construction Traffic

the wide variety of platforms available, our presentation will delve into how to evaluate various tools and customize the virtual public involvement process to meet community and project need. Remote work has created unique challenges for public involve- ment practitioners managing a large number of projects and stakeholders. We will set forth a solution for how to effectively conduct a public involvement process through use of centralized stakehol- der management and online meeting system.

Management, MassDOT; Leah Epstein, Environmental Plan- ner, HNTB Company: MassDOT and HNTB Corporation Description: The planning and strategy leading up to a virtual public meeting and how to keep stakeholders engaged after the meeting throughout project deve- lopment and construction. We will cover the do’s and don’ts of employing various strategies to ensure an equi- table and inclusive virtual public process. Recognizing

Session: Do’s and Don’ts of Virtual Public Involvement

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2020 Leadership Sessions • BUILDING & LEADING EFFECTIVE TEAMS 7/14/20, KENYA RUTLAND, PRINCIPAL AND CHIEF ENTHU- SIASM OFFICER, KJR CONSULTING • MANAGING UNCONSCIOUS BIAS 8/11/20, KENYA RUTLAND, PRINCIPAL AND CHIEF ENTHUSIASM

WTS CT & CACT Annual Legislative Breakfast The Connecticut Association for Community Transportation (CACT) and WTS-CT Connecti- cut jointly hosted their annual legislative breakfast via Teams this year. 136 people attended including five representatives/legislators: Rep. Brian Smith, Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, Rep. Cindy Harrison, Rep. Laura Delvin, and Rep. Mitch Bolinsky. FHWA, FRA, FTA, and CTDOT were also in attendance. Key highlights: • Getting past COVID-19: vaccinating transit workers and providing necessary PPE as well as deep cleaning public transit vehicles • New climate change initiative: roundabouts do not just reduce crashes, they allow cars to merge in and have a reduced carbon footprint • Electric buses and their reduction in tailpipe emissions - what the neighborhoods see “Very informative and very topical with the issues bringing in the pandemic and electrical vehicles. What blew me away was the FRA - the percentage of funds Connecticut received.” - Mike Egan, PE, Senior Project Manager, CDM Smith “With the representatives here it shows their interest on public transportation and that they are committed to public transportation.” - Joseph Giulietti, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Transportation January 28, 2021 Virtual Teams Meeting

OFFICER, KJR CONSULTING

Professional Accountability and Ethical Conduct- 9/24/20, Frederick Hedberg, Esq., Robinson & Cole LLP During this virtual leadership session, WTS Connecticut explored the meaning of “enginee- ring ethics” through different engineering standards and codes of ethics prescribed by Con- necticut’s state regulations and various architectural and engineering trade organizations such as the ASCE, NSPE and AIA. Attendees also examined various case studies from the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Trivia with ITE

DEI Coffee & Conversations June 9, 2021 upcoming events

Understanding Race Equity & Social Justice November 2021 Navigating Unconscious Bias in the Workplace August 2021

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Getting Involved

WTS CT 2021 Officers Board of Directors

Membership Spotlight What does a typical work- day look like for you?

We could never be successful without our volun- teers! If you are interested in serving on one of the WTS CT Chapter Committees please contact Rebecca Hall, WTS CT Chapter President, at hall- rr@cdmsmith.com.

cancer and raising my sister and me. She is now 16 years cancer-free! Finally, the Walt Disney World Resort. Their transportation systems are amazing and work so well. I had an internship there un- der the project management team that oversaw all of the road and parking lot mainte- nance across the resort. What’s one thing you can’t live without and why? Traveling! Currently, I have been to 40/50 U.S. states, 8 countries, and have comple- ted dives in 2 countries (I’m a certified SCUBA diver). Now, I plan several vacations every year, including at least one trip to Walt Disney World for the runDisney Star Wars Rival Run race weekend. I am working on running a half marathon in every state! So far I have CT, RI, TX, LA, FL, OH, NY, and SC. What is your favorite part about working in transpor- tation? The people I get to work with on a daily basis, and the people I get to connect with during WTS events. I’m very grateful to be able to work with and connect with so many hard-working and incredibly smart people.

President Rebecca Hall, PE, PTOE, PMP CDM Smith

I get to work with an ama- zing group of people at CT- DOT headquarters and learn something new every day. In the Bridge Design Unit, I can ask anyone a question and everyone is more than willing to help. We also get to work with different de- partments to collaborate on projects. After work, I either attend class for my master’s degree in Construction Ma- nagement at CCSU or return home to start my second job as a travel agent for Key to the World Travel, a full-servi- ce travel agency that specia- lizes in Disney vacations. What do you enjoy the most about being a WTS member? I love meeting new people in transportation and learning about what they do. It’s really helpful and easier to connect to women in a similar field. Do you have any influences that sparked your interest in the transportation field? Both my dad and grandfa- ther were mechanical engi- neers, and my grandfather held patents. My mom has shown me the strength of women by beating breast

Current Chair Vacancies: • Events Committee • Leadership & Mentorship

Name: Emily O’Keefe Title: Transportation Engineer Trainee - Bridge Design Company: CTDOT - - - - - -

The leadership committee began, in 2017, crea- ting a leadership training program that consists of 15 core competencies based on OPM’s defini- tion of leadership characteristics. To date eleven of the fifteen core competencies have been held with two additional sessions planned for 2020. The different sessions are typically held in per- son and are an hour long with a light breakfast/ networking in the beginning but will be offered through virtual webinars during this difficult time. WTS CT is looking for a chair and co-chair to help lead efforts to complete the program. “The WTS Connecticut Chapter provides ex- ceptional benefits to its members in the areas of professional development, career support, mentorship, and student outreach; offers lea- dership, educational, and networking opportu- nities; advances women in the transportation industry; and strives to function in an environ- mentally sustainable manner, with integrity and a commitment to diversity.”

Vice President Lisa Slonus, PE, PTOE Weston & Sampson

Who or what inspires you? Mary Baker. She is a very hard working and intelligent woman and it’s great to see a successful woman in our industry who also has been able to have a family. What is one tip you would give to someone in our in- dustry? Meet as many people as you can and learn something from them. Everyone has their own story and it’s ins- piring to see what they’ve overcome. How do you enjoy your time outside the office? At home, I enjoy running, ka- yaking, reading, and playing with my rescue rabbits, Beast and Cocoa. Both were adop- ted from CottonTail Rabbit Rescue in Wallingford. My husband and I also started a small vegetable garden.

Treasurer Katherine Klose, RSP1  BL Companies

Secretary Cara Radzins, AICP CTP CRCOG

Immediate Past President Bonnie Damato-Torres Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.

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