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IN FOCUS |
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by Matthew W. Daus, Esq. |
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IATR San Francisco Conference Preview
The theme of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) 29th Annual
Conference is "21st Century Transportation Regulation - A Vision for Shared Mobility, Multi-Modal Integration & Governance."
As the host of this year’s conference, the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will showcase its unique multi-modal transit agency that has integrated taxicab regulation into broader planning. The planning involves oversight of bus, subway and bike share systems and traffic management.
We are proud and excited that our welcoming keynote speaker will be SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin, whose impressive career includes service as Interim San Francisco City Administrator and former Deputy Mayor of the District of Columbia.
The theme of the conference will focus on the developing concept of shared mobility and
environmentally sustainable modes of transportation such as group riding or true rid sharing. The conference will also consider where taxicabs, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), limousines, and other for-hire vehicles (FHVs) fit into multi-modal planning.
The conference will be held at the San Francisco Union Square Hilton from September 22nd - 25th. To view the detailed program and to register, please visit: www.iatr.global.
IATR's First Ever Hack-A-Thon
The IATR's hack-a-thon will take place in San Francisco during the IATR conference with several academic institutions, including:
Private taxicab, for-hire vehicle (limousine and livery) technology companies and black box providers have agreed to submit data for analysis by hackers to include private companies, public employees, researchers, and students.
Several government transportation agencies and cities have agreed to turn over fresh and detailed taxicab, FHV, TNC and agency regulatory data, including:
Many more international and national partners are joining by the day, including the International Road Transport Union (IRU) which is coordinating data sets from many platforms, apps and dispatch companies that are part of UpTop, its universal app platform initiative.
The theme of the challenge is for innovative teams and individuals to compete by analyzing data sets to propose ideas. This includes new apps and software solution that:
Hacking will take place at the San Francisco Hilton in rooms made available by IATR during the first day of the conference, and also remotely via secure portals at NYIT's Manhattan campus, NYU's NYC campus and other locations to be named.
Massive data sets have already been provided by government agencies and private sponsors that include taxi, TNC and FHV pick-up, drop-off, fare box, geolocation, crash or incident data and agency violation/complaint information.
Students, researchers, private companies and government hackers can register for the hack-a-thon and obtain further information by visiting: www.iatr.global.
Shared Mobility in the Aftermath of TNC Disruption
Experts in the field, including academics and practitioners, will join a panel to focus on the approach and results of a specific case study of the City of Seattle and King County to improve its mobility Eco-system in the wake of TNC disruption. Panelists include:
Nightlife Transportation Management
Cities throughout the world are challenged by the need for integrated plans to use for-hire, taxicab and other mobility management modes for safe and efficient nightlife transportation.
A session called "I Love the - Safe - Nightlife" will examine and explore expanding interests in urban revitalization, the growth of nightlife districts and the role that taxicabs, shuttles, pedicabs, TNCs, public transit, parking and shuttles must play to meet this challenge. To this end, they will join with local business improvement districts and businesses to examine how they can reduce traffic congestion, and prevent impaired driving and pedestrian injuries.
The session will be moderated by the Responsible Hospitality Institute and will include representatives and speakers from:
Re-Inventing the Regulatory Governance Paradigm: "Leveling the Playing Field" & Beyond
Regulators and stakeholders will share their experiences in undertaking regulatory reviews and reforms of their systems, by-laws and regulations. They will endeavor to,not just "level the playing field" between incumbent industry licensees and new entrants, but to seize the opportunity to remove unnecessary regulations and create new and different categories, sub-modes and methods for regulatory licensure and enforcement.
Deregulation and/or self regulation may not need to be a race to the bottom, but could be a new beginning, according to stakeholders and regulators alike. Regulators from the following jurisdictions will join in a forward looking discussion including:
Also, transportation regulators and experts will discuss the future of the taximeter with a representative from the Federal government’s National Institute for Standards & Technology (NIST).
TNCs & Equity: Accessibility, Social Responsibility, Labor & Sustainability
An international group of stakeholders representing passengers with disabilities will join labor experts, environmentalists, transportation providers and regulators for a panel discussion on how TNCs can better serve under served and vulnerable communities while ensuring TNC drivers earn a living wage.
Apps Around the World
Technology start-ups, regulators and industry stakeholders will share their experiences around the world, including not just North America, but Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere. They will probe differing business models, regulatory approaches and unique investor and other alliances and trends.
Panelists will include the Commissioner of the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department (BACP) of Chicago, Maria Guerra Lapacek, as well as Jenny Teo of the Land Transport Authority of Singapore and Linda Marchand, Directrice Générale of the Montréal Taxi Bureau.
Regulatory & Technology Safety Initiatives & Training Programs
This session will introduce transportation regulators to the world of telematics and Vision Zero policy making. Panelists will explore the impact of various hardware (black boxes and in-vehicle cameras), smartphone apps, On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) retrieval devices, and
related software used to analyze data to predict driver behavior and deter/prevent vehicular crashes.
The impact that new technologies and related training can have on passenger, driver and pedestrian safety, as well as insurance rates/losses will be explored.
Panelists will include representatives from the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission, technology companies that utilize black boxes, cameras and smartphone apps, as well as Ira Goldstein, Executive Director of the NY State Black Car & Industry Compensation Fund and representatives of the Federal government’s National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health.
Airport TNC Regulatory Developments
Members of the Airport Ground Transportation Association, including:
will discuss TNC airport infiltration and the response of operators and airport officials, and debate whether airports should be treated differently in terms of regulatory compliance, revenue and standards.
Universal App Workshop
A number of jurisdictions have engaged in the process of implementing universal apps for taxicabs, and those various approaches will be explored in an interactive session. The session will help regulators decide whether to explore such initiatives, and how to do so from a procedural standpoint taking into consideration various approaches underway. Transportation regulators from Singapore, Chicago, Montreal, and the IRU will present their ideas and projects with a virtual brainstorming or blackboard session to follow.
Networking & Entertainment
The conference will kick off with a networking reception at the Hilton Union Square "Cityscape" Lounge where there are 360 degree breathtaking views of the entire city, including all area bridges. We will enjoy the unique musical string ensemble of the Electa Quartet. The Gala Event on September 24th will take place at the Ram's Head winery in Sonoma and will include an awards presentation for winners of the hack-a-thon, regulator and driver of the year and scholarship recipients. The band Hot Einstein will provide a variety of rock, soul, and contemporary hits. A separate cigar lounge will be available.
