Still Zooming Along with T&DI!

The Boston Chapter of the Transportation and Development Institute (T&DI Boston Chapter) is the technical group that unites the disciplines of planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and research in support of sustainable transportation, infrastructure, and land development. T&DI is multi-modal, considering a range of issues and topics beyond just cars and traffic signals, including passenger and freight movement via air, highway, trails, rail, transit, and water.

In the Rearview
Given the ongoing global health crisis, BSCES and T&DI Boston Chapter continued their efforts to provide safe and accessible events via online Zoom Webinars and virtual social hours.

Our first webinar was held on October 1, 2020 which discussed New Directives in Transportation Access Plan Agreements. These access plan agreements are legal agreements between Land Developers and the Boston Transportation Department which define measures to reduce impacts to the area transportation network. This was a great webinar which combined the Transportation and Land Development sections of T&DI. Representatives from BTD discussed Electric Vehicle Guidelines (Samantha Devine), Bicycle Guidelines (Jennifer Rowe, AICP), and Transportation Demand Management (Alaa Mukahhal).

Our second webinar was held on April 27, 2021 entitled The Road Ahead for Massachusetts Transportation Policy and Funding presented by Mr. Chris Dempsey of Transportation for Massachusetts Coalition. Mr. Dempsey provided an overview of upcoming federal, state, and local policies regarding funding in a post-pandemic nation and region. The Transportation and Climate Initiative introduced a measure to reduce emissions and generate transportation revenue by requiring fuel wholesalers/importers to purchase permits similar to those utilized in the Energy sector. Thirdly, Mr. Dempsey offered thoughts on the future of commuting and congestion on area roadways, transit lines, and rail lines as the region begins to recover from the effects of the pandemic. This included discussions of public transit, managed lanes, and variable/dynamic tolling for key corridors.

T&DI Boston Chapter held a joint Virtual Beer Tasting and Trivia event with the Younger Member Group on March 18, 2021. The two-hour event featured a virtual tasting with Night Shift Brewing (Everett, MA). Attendees walked through four Night Shift offerings and socially discussed their intricacies with a representative from the brewery. Following the tasting, random teams competed in an online trivia competition with questions developed by the planning committee. The team “Wally World” walked away with the gold, though there were notably a few stumpers in the question list.

See if you can guess this one. Read to the bottom for the answer.
Which of the following is NOT a Duck Boat? 
A) Southie Sue B) Molly Molasses C) Miss Emma Science D) Symphony Hal

Signature Event: Bertram Berger Seminar
The Bertram Berger Seminar is the signature event of the Transportation and Development Institute Boston Chapter yearly calendar. The seminar style event has traditionally featured panel discussions, networking, a keynote address and presentation of awards and scholarships. The Berger Planning Committee worked diligently to convert the signature event to a virtual setting for 2021. However, the onset of “Zoom burnout” and the desire for in-person networking suggested a virtual event would not adequately serve the purpose and stature of the event. As of writing, the Committee is hopeful to launch an in-person seminar for 2022 and has begun the planning stages of finding a venue and speakers. If you’d like to get involved or if there is a topic you’d like to see covered, please reach out to TDI@BSCES.org. More information on the Berger Seminar can be found here.

The Road Ahead
The group held our first meeting of the new fiscal year on September 15, 2021. During this meeting, the executive committee welcomed some new faces/voices, discussed the year’s planned T&DI Boston Chapter events, set meeting schedules, and re-evaluated goals as we collectively move towards the “new normal.” The group meets virtually every other month and is actively welcoming new members looking to take on small or large leadership roles. The next virtual group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 9 at 4:30 PM.

The executive committee is actively monitoring guidelines for hosting an in-person Bertram Berger Seminar and Legislative Update, two historically well attended marquee events that have unfortunately been postponed due to the pandemic. In place, the group has been diligently looking for ways to host a series of smaller outside field-trip style events at different locations around the Commonwealth and region. Keep an eye on the website for more updates as details unfold throughout the fall and winter. In addition, the technical events committee is working to host a series of webinars discussing the various committees of T&DI. More information to follow.

All Aboard
It is the T&DI Boston Chapter executive committee's goal to provide technical learning and networking opportunities for transportation specialists and enthusiasts. Our chapter plans to host events that solicit expert speakers that can spark engaging discussion; whether that be in webinars or (eventually) in person. We are seeking members who are interested in planning or championing these events as fun way to get involved.

In order to become successful in achieving our goals, we are looking to engage innovators, leaders, and motivated individuals in the transportation and development profession. It is through new ideas and an extensive knowledge base in engineering practices, social interactions, and event management that the T&DI Boston Chapter will contribute to enhancing the engineering community at large. This is your opportunity to stand out and show what you can do outside the day-to-day practices within your private company or public agency and to advocate for and help communities throughout the Commonwealth. If you are a transportation or land development professional looking for a group where you can discuss current happenings, exchange ideas, and strive to make a difference – you are invited to join the Boston Chapter of T&DI. 

To learn more, you can contact TDI@BSCES.org or visit our LinkedIn and Twitter pages. Be sure to review our newsletter for current news on events and meetings for the T&DI Boston Chapter. 

Trivia answer:
A) Southie Sue