By: Niloo Parvinashtiani

On Monday, September 18, 2023, WTS-DC held the WTS-DC and VDOT Annual event, Connecting Communities while Transforming Tomorrow's Travel. Panelists for this event include VDOT leadership and multimodal experts including:

• Heidi Mitter, VDOT, Bike/Pedestrian and Park & Ride Coordinator/Transportation Planning
• Halie Mitchel, AICP, VDOT, Multimodal Transportation Planning
• Sarah Crawford, Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, Assistant Director of Transportation
• Vanessa Aguayo T., Fairfax County Department of Transportation, Capital Projects and Traffic Engineering Division

The meeting was kicked off by opening remarks from John Lynch, Northern Virginia District Engineer. He welcomed attendees and noted that there have been lots of changes in the Northern Virginia area. John shared that the partnership of VDOT with localities has helped with the quality of life for people.

 Heidi Mitter and Halie Mitchel co-presented on NOVA multimodal Transportation Programs, focusing on initiatives led by the transportation planning office. The presentation began with an overview of the VDOT Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, which includes Commuter Connections, Employer Outreach, Clean Air Partners, Transportation Management Plans (TMPs), and the Regional Multi-Modal Mobility Program (RM3P). The VDOT Bike/Ped Program involves efforts like Bike/Ped & Park & Ride, NOVA Bike/Ped Counts, Planning Coordination for safety, integration into construction projects, and innovative projects such as open streets during COVID, in partnership with Fairfax County.

The presentation then delved into the RM3P Program, a multi-modal multi-agency project utilizing unique procurement methods like Data as a Service and Software as a Service. RM3P integrates CPIS, focusing on parking availability through historical and real-time data, and Dynamic Incentivization, which promotes real-time incentives, challenges, and a loyalty program to encourage positive travel behavior. Following the VDOT presentation, an extensive Q&A panel discussion covered topics related to Arlington County and Fairfax County multi-modal initiatives, as well as discussions on the importance of multi-modal approaches and the challenges faced. The session concluded with a Q&A session on women's careers in Transportation, based on the personal experiences of the panelists.