Chris Swenson
Chris Swenson, an expert on tolling and mobility with WSP USA, a global engineering and professional services organization, will present on the synergy between transportation funding, tolling and the emerging Mobility as a Service (MaaS) concept as part of the IBTTA (International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association) 85th Annual Meeting & Exposition being held in Atlanta on September 8-12.
Each year, IBTTA develops rich content around the most important topics in the transportation industry and brings together the top influencers and leaders to talk about them. Reaching every discipline and role, the 2017 program offers high-level general sessions of interest to all toll industry professionals under the themes of safety & security, mobility and technology.
Mr. Swenson, a principal in WSP’s advisory services practice, will speak about Road User Charging – It Shouldn’t be All or Nothing on September 12th from 2:00-3:30 as part of a panel entitled MaaS – From Concept to Reality, which will take place during the conference’s Mobility Track. The panel will address the new models that are proposed in the use and development of highways and transportation infrastructure to take advantage of emerging technologies, including automated vehicles. Panelists will share experiences from different sectors (e.g., logistics, vehicle sharing companies and technology providers) on the implementation of MaaS around the world.
“The emerging model of MaaS, combined with alternatives developing to supplement or even replace the shrinking funding available from fuel taxes, results in exciting opportunities to develop solutions that significantly improve mobility in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner,” Mr. Swenson explains. “MaaS is a game changer for urban transportation, but it’s already a proven concept in other transportation applications.Airlines don’t sell airplanes to passengers; they provide, sell and finance personal mobility from point A to point B. This same concept can be applied to transportation within our cities,” Swenson continued. “With the advent of new services such as ridesharing, with new technologies in place, and with even more innovation on the horizon, the focus of urban engineers and planners is shifting from infrastructure alone to providing and sustainably funding mobility solutions.”
As a platinum sponsor, WSP is a strong supporter of IBTTA. This year, WSP is also a host of IBTTA’s Evening Event Networking on September 11th, which will take place in midtown Atlanta on Crescent Avenue.
About WSP USA
WSP USA, formerly WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, is the U.S. operating company of one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms—WSP. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment sectors. With nearly 7,000 people in 100 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com
