Photo: Shutterstock
Roadway safety, transit transformers, and the Panama Canal: all are highlighted topics at this year’s CTS Transportation Research Conference. The event will take place May 20 and 21 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The brochure and registration information will be available in late March on the CTS website. Highlights follow; details about the opening plenary session will be included in the April Catalyst.
The Panama Canal Expansion: Myths and Realities for the North American Economy—May 20
Large infrastructure projects are prone to misconceptions—in particular, their benefits and their costs. The Panama Canal expansion is no exception. In early 2016, the estimated $6.2 billion project will add a new set of locks that will enable the canal to handle larger ships. Such an increase in capacity has triggered many expectations about its potential impacts on global trade, especially for ports on the U.S. East Coast. What are the myths of the project, and what are the realities? Jean-Paul Rodrigue, a professor in Hofstra University’s Department of Global Studies and Geography, will address this question at the conference luncheon.
Roadway Safety Showcase—May 21
In this full-day showcase, transportation safety researchers from the Roadway Safety Institute (RSI) will share research results that address today’s most-pressing roadway safety challenges. Projects focusing on tribal nation road safety, technology and roadway innovations, safety policy, human factors, and rail-grade crossings will be showcased. RSI is the Region 5 University Transportation Center, led by the University of Minnesota.
Transit Transformers Workshop—May 21
This half-day workshop will focus on how new transit service concepts and design will transform the transit system in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area. The first part of the workshop will highlight case studies and community partnerships; the concluding session will explore topics such as the economics of car sharing, transit access and equity, and improvements to regional transit service plans.
