Call for Abstracts
If you are involved in the cutting edge of new technologies, tools, policies and options, and are leading the
‘future of transportation,’ you have an opportunity to submit your insights and solutions for a breakout session
presentation at the 2016 WTS Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, in May. Please read the breakout session
track descriptions for the conference, below, and complete the application on the page that follows.
The 2016 WTS Annual Conference, Tune in to the Future of Transportation, will consider and share personal
and professional development challenges and opportunities, discovery and review of new technologies, and the
changes in supply and demand that may revolutionize how we utilize, access, fund and develop our
transportation network. 2015 has seen the first testing of autonomous vehicles and trucks within the U.S., the
evolution of alternative travel options with changes to the transportation sharing economy, and continued
discussion on how we can fund our next generation of transportation projects, improvements and maintenance.
These future and continuing challenges for enhancing mobility and choices will be discussed through the
following conference tracks:
Technology: Tuning into the Future of Transportation Technologies
Technology can be leveraged in a myriad of ways to benefit agencies and the public they serve, as well as their
stakeholders and other interested parties. It can be used to improve service, customer communications, revenue
collection, data accessibility, and transparency. It can improve safety, enhance or provide new mobility options,
promote sustainability, optimize the supply chain, facilitate decision making, and improve a multitude of other
processes inside an organization.
There are also two sides to technology in transportation: the theoretical, which posits the improvements and
changes that could be possible with technology, and the practical, which includes building the right skillset,
support organization, and plans to implement, manage change, and realize technology's effectiveness.
This track seeks to bring together experts in current and future technologies that do and will make a difference
in the transportation industry. Tell us about the best technology available to transportation professionals, and
those looming on the horizon. Presentations could also discuss technology projects that have created
improvements, efficiencies, or mobility choices for an agency, its customers and/or its stakeholders, lessons
learned from other industries, and measurements of success.
Supply and Demand: How Do We Get from Today to Tomorrow
This track examines two trends in the transportation industry. First, changing socio-demographics are impacting
travel demand. The U.S. population is getting older, more urban, and more diverse in terms of race/ethnicity.
Demands are changing because younger and older generations are either choosing not to drive or are no longer
able to drive. In addition, advances in information communication technology (ICT) are changing the way
people travel with new mobile apps, disruptive vehicle technologies, and substitution of technology for travel.
Millennial and younger generations have grown up with pervasive ICT. Second, the changing demand-side has
prompted changes in the supply of transportation options. Car-sharing, bike-sharing, and app-driven taxi
services (like Uber or Lyft) are diffusing across the U.S. Mobile apps are being increasingly used by public
transit agencies to connect with riders. Transportation alternatives are becoming more numerous and more
convenient regardless of mode.
We are seeking presentations that showcase specific examples of changes represented by these two trends and
what they mean for the future of transportation.
Project Development and Delivery: Bridging the Gap Between Funding and Financing
This track will assemble experts who are engaged in developing policy, funding and financing strategies, and
project development and delivery mechanisms (i.e., public-private partnerships) to help in bridging the gap
between funding and financing our existing and future transportation network.
Infrastructure funding and financing approaches are expected to undergo dramatic changes and transformative
challenges, as new technologies and trends change the face of transportation delivery. In addition, policy will
need to align to changing demographic trends, the sharing economy, new sources of transportation options,
including autonomous vehicles and fluctuations in freight demand and delivery. Integrating theoretical and
practical components to create policy and strategies for project development will require new technologies and
tools for planning, development, and delivery.
We are seeking presentations on transportation funding and financing at all levels of government and the private
sector, with the objective of exploring various means of bridging the gaps between funding and financing our
intermodal transportation network. The focus of the track will be on both maintaining state of good repair and
delivering new and improved transportation infrastructure.
Professional Development and Leadership
As part of the WTS commitment to advancing women in transportation and increasing the leadership capacity
of our members, this track is focused on professional development and leadership in the transportation industry.
The track will include sessions that are focused on career building at multiple stages of development, from early
career through executive management. Topics explored in this track will include life lessons learned in moving
towards executive leadership, training and coaching considerations, team building, managing up, salary
negotiations, and leadership in decision-making. Within these topics, we will examine how different choices
may affect leadership outcomes and how you can develop a personal brand that serves to support you
throughout your career.
The 2016 WTS Annual Conference Committee wants to hear from you! Please complete the application
on the next page and email webabstracts@wtshotchapter.org by October 27, 2015.
WTS Annual Conference Abstract Application
Please submit this application with the following by October 27, 2015 to webabstracts@wtshotchapter.org
For questions, please contact Lisa Loftus-Otway, Center for Transportation Research at loftusotway@mail.utexas.edu or 512
232 3072. The sessions will be scheduled the morning and afternoon of Thurs., May 19, and the morning of Fri., May 20, 2016.
Selection notifications, along with proposed date and time will be sent by December 1, 2015.
Please feel free to attach the answers to the application cover page.
Thank you in advance for your valued participation.
PRESENTATION TITLE: ____________________________________________________
PRIMARY CONTACT Name:________________________________________________
Agency/Organization:____________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________ Email:________________________________
SELECT A TRACK
 Technology: Tuning into the Future of Transportation Technologies  Project Development and Delivery
 Supply and Demand  Professional Development and Leadership
PRESENTATION SUMMARY Describe the proposed content and format of the presentation (250 words max):
LIST POTENTIAL SPEAKERS (NAME, TITLE, ORGANIZATION, CITY, STATE):
THIS SESSION IS BEST FOR  Beginners  Intermediate  Advanced Transportation Professionals
SPEAKERS’ BIOGRAPHY Provide a brief biography of the proposed speaker (50 words max):
INDICATE WHAT TYPE OF SESSION FORMAT YOU ENVISION AND AUDIOVISUAL REQURIEMENTS.
 Panel Presentation (Head table, all speakers have PowerPoint presentations. Q&A takes place the last 10 minutes of
session. Audience sitting theater style.)
 Roundtable Discussions (Audience in rounds with a speaker at each table for interactive discussions between
speaker and attendees. Speakers rotate to different tables. No AV.)
 Talk Show (Speakers in chairs on stage and answer questions from moderator. Audience sits theater style. Q&A from
audience. No AV.)
 Other. Please explain below.