MTI News

Dear Reader,

This month, we highlight opportunities to engage the next generation of transportation leaders while showcasing research that keeps our communities moving. From a statewide call for student research posters to new studies on housing, freight, artificial intelligence, and high-speed rail, MTI continues to help solve today's most pressing transportation challenges. We also invite you to join us for upcoming events honoring transportation leadership and advancing important policy conversations.

In this Issue:

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Ballroom, The National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20045

2:30-7:00p.m. (ET) | Link to Register ($75 per person)

The Mineta Forum on Transportation Policy & Leadership: Honoring a Legacy of Service

A Convening Marking 25 Years Since September 11, 2001

Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, our nation experienced a moment that would forever alter its path. After the Twin Towers were hit, then-Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta called for the grounding of every plane in American airspace—an unprecedented act that, to this day, has reshaped how we understand leadership.

This September 9th, join bipartisan national experts in Washington, D.C. as they honor Secretary Mineta’s legacy, commemorate those lost, and work together to understand challenges and maximize opportunities for the future of American mobility.

This event unites leaders across the aisle, including experts who worked alongside Secretary Mineta, those who have helped transform the ways we move people and goods, and those who continue to collaborate to advance Mineta’s legacy of bipartisan progress for the benefit of the American people. 

Connect with us as we reflect on and discuss policy, transportation security, and the industry workforce—and as we collaborate to move mobility and the nation forward together.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Online

12:00-12:30p.m. (PT) | Link to register.

*0.5 PDH credit available

The California Transit Association (CTA), in partnership with MTI, is inviting undergraduate and graduate students to submit proposals for the Student Poster Session at the 61st Annual Fall Conference & Expo, taking place October 28-30, 2026, in Monterey, California.

Selected students will present their research during the Welcome Reception & Expo on Wednesday, October 28, from 3:30-6:30 p.m., where they'll have the opportunity to engage with transit agency executives, transportation professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders from across California.

Students are encouraged to submit research or projects related to public transportation and mobility in one of the following areas:

The Student Poster Session offers an outstanding opportunity to:

Ready to share your work? Submit your proposal by September 15 through the CTA submission form. For additional information, visit the California Transit Association website or contact erin@caltransit.org.

Mitigating Negative Consequences of New Urban Growth in Disadvantaged Communities

As California works to address its housing shortage, many new developments are planned in communities that already face economic challenges, environmental burdens, and limited access to transportation options. This study examined four disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California to better understand how growth is being planned and whether existing policies are helping residents benefit from new development.

Researchers found that while tools exist to reduce inequities, they are often inconsistently applied, particularly in unincorporated communities that may lack strong political representation. Without more coordinated action, new development could reinforce existing challenges, including long commutes, limited access to services, and greater exposure to environmental risks.

The report recommends stronger state, regional, and local policies to ensure that housing growth is paired with investments in transportation and community services so that development creates healthier, more equitable communities for current and future residents.

Routes to Sustainable Goods Movement: How Local and Regional Governmental Agencies Can Plan for the Sustainable Freight System of the Future

Freight transportation keeps goods moving and supports regional economies, but increasing freight activity also contributes to congestion, infrastructure wear, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and safety concerns.These impacts often disproportionately affect low-income and environmentally burdened communities.

This study examined freight planning efforts in eight major U.S. metropolitan regions to identify strategies for creating more sustainable freight systems. Researchers found that transportation agencies are increasingly prioritizing multimodal freight networks, congestion reduction, and climate-friendly technologies, including zero-emission freight solutions. However, challenges remain in addressing equity, environmental justice, data limitations, funding, and coordination across agencies.

The report highlights practical insights to help local and regional agencies strengthen freight planning, improve system performance, and reduce environmental impacts while supporting long-term resilience.

SMART-TWIN: Systematic Modeling and Real-Time Transportation with Digital Twins

Traffic congestion and unexpected roadway disruptions can make travel less reliable and more difficult to manage. This research introduces SMART-TWIN, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Digital Twin framework that helps transportation agencies detect traffic problems earlier and better understand their impacts before they escalate.

Using a simulated model of a busy intersection in Fresno, California, researchers developed and tested a Digital Twin capable of identifying conditions such as signal failures and lane closures with high accuracy. The system also estimates how these disruptions affect congestion, travel delays, and overall roadway performance, providing agencies with actionable information to support faster, more informed decisions.

The proposed framework is scalable to larger corridors and networks and is designed for future integration with real-time sensor data and adaptive traffic control strategies. SMART-TWIN provides a practical foundation for next-generation Digital Twin applications that support proactive traffic management and data-driven infrastructure planning to make traveling safer and more efficient for all.