Coronavirus and the future of Transport Planning: Fireside Chat, 23 April

PTRC Education and Research Services, a company within CILT(UK), invite you to join us for an online panel discussion.

COVID-19 is an unprecedented shock to the global system. It is first and foremost a public health emergency. It is also a shock that has temporarily eclipsed the ongoing climate crisis. It has brought rapid change to a substantial part of the world’s population and already sent shock waves through businesses, public services and livelihoods. The 2008 Financial Crisis pales by comparison in terms of potential economic consequences. In the short-term, digital connectivity has been thrust forward as physical mobility has retreated.

In the transport sector we face short- and long-term threats and opportunities that need to be planned for. But what are the pertinent issues we should be considering both in terms of planning itself and also the outcomes we seek or wish to avoid?

This 90-minute panel debate is an opportunity to contribute to examining the reality that now confronts us. Views are rapidly evolving and conclusive answers are elusive but we need to begin such difficult conversations. Collaboration will be our ally in the times ahead.

The intention is to see where the panel conversation leads but the session is framed by the following questions:

1. What are the short and longer term supply-side and operational challenges facing the transport system (including future capacity provision, workforce availability, contractual obligations and regulations and solvency)?
2. Are there related opportunities that may present themselves?
3. Where might the private and public sectors concur and where might they clash in their views on the way forward for the transport sector?
4. What needs to change now or be further amplified in how we plan for the future?
5. Could COVID-19 be a shock with unintended positive consequences for addressing the climate crisis?

Our panel will explore such questions and more and we look forward to you joining us with the opportunity for raising your own questions for the panel to respond to.

The panel will be chaired by Glenn Lyons (Mott MacDonald Professor of Future Mobility at UWE Bristol). Glenn has specialised in vision-led planning for an uncertain world and most recently tackled the ‘wicked problem’ of driverless cars. “Any doubts prior to 2020 that forecast-led planning was insufficient for the deep uncertainty we face must surely now be diminished – we need to rethink how we shape the future and to do so with urgency” he says.

Programme:

12:30 – 12:40 – Arrival and introduction by Glenn

12:40 – 13:00 – Panellists introduction and short statement on how they are adapting to the current pandemic, personally and work-wise

13:00 – 13:40 – Panel Debate

13:40 – 13:55 – Audience questions

13:55 – 14:00 – Wrap up

Confirmed Speakers:

Glenn Lyons (Chair), Mott MacDonald Professor of Future Mobility - University of the West of England

Sonya Byers, Chief Executive - Women in Transport

Brian Deegan, Design Engineer - Urban Movement

Fintan Geraghty, Economist - WSP

Sunita Mills, Strategic Manager Commissioning Development - Somerset Council

Karen Agbabiaka, Head of Public Realm – Highways, Energy & Operational Facilities - Islington Council

Heather Cowan (Invited), Head of Transport Strategy - Transport Scotland

Please register here attend.