The four-day AASHTO Spring Meeting, held in Seattle, provided a platform for transportation experts to discuss a wide range of topics, including workforce development, land-use planning strategies, de-carbonization efforts, and rural mobility development initiatives. The meeting also featured a keynote address by Joe Minicozzi, founder of Urban 3, a land-use planning firm, emphasizing the need for smarter infrastructure solutions.

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee attended the meeting and stressed the importance of de-carbonizing the nation's mobility system to mitigate the impacts of climate change. He highlighted transportation's significant contribution to carbon emissions, stating, "Transportation is responsible for 40 percent of that carbon." Governor Inslee encouraged transportation leaders to embrace the opportunity to build a de-carbonized transportation system.

 

AASHTO organized knowledge sessions that covered topics such as workforce recruitment and retention, roadway safety, improving grant application processes, and enhancing rural mobility connections. These discussions aimed to address key challenges and foster innovative solutions in the transportation sector.

Keynote speaker Joe Minicozzi emphasized the need to adopt smarter approaches to infrastructure development. His perspective centered on building up city and town centers, prioritizing multimodal connections, and reducing reliance on road construction and vehicle use. Minicozzi urged participants to reconsider land consumption patterns, including parking lots, roads, commercial buildings, and suburban homes, and to assess their value from a broader perspective.

Landscape architects were encouraged to play a pivotal role in reimagining land use and design to create sustainable, resilient, and value-driven communities. By incorporating multimodal connections, such as walking, biking, and transit, landscape architects can contribute to a more efficient and environmentally friendly transportation system.


https://aashtojournal.transportation.org/aashto-2023-spring-meeting-addresses-key-policy-topics/