Notes from the LA CoMotion Conference in Los Angeles

Steer Davies Gleave was a sponsor for the LA CoMotion conference in Los Angeles’ Arts District on November 15-19. The unique five-day event brought together global leaders of the mobility revolution. With over 1,000 participants, 85 speakers and 50 exhibitors, the conference provided an immersive glimpse into the mobility revolution that is changing the way we move in an increasingly electric, connected and shared world.

Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti, kicked off the conference by welcoming global mobility leaders and speaking of his goal for Los Angeles to be the transportation technology capital of the world. Panels covered topics ranging from how mobility is changing our cityscape to complete streets and multi-modality to the future of shared mobility. Questions were posed about how autonomous vehicles will change the transportation landscape, what’s in store for the future of bus, how changing mobility will affect our economy and how we can plan for equity in our transportation systems.

The conference looked at world best practices and trends with a focus on the changing mobility landscape in the host city – Los Angeles. A panel with representatives from Metro, Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) discussed how Los Angeles could lead the way in becoming the template for the new transportation revolution. There was also discussion on how to solve the last mile, a key and on-going goal for Metro; an introduction to the “Go Zone”, SCAG’s concept exploring a mobility innovation zone; and a dialogue on how LA streets may morph with potential connected and autonomous vehicles. Chief Innovation Officer of Metro, Joshua Schank, also announced a new partnership with Via to launch in summer 2018 that will provide shared rides to and from transit stations.

Throughout the convention, innovation, technology and the future of mobility were passionately discussed, but the topic of how these new modes integrate into traditional public transportation was a reoccurring concern. The future of mobility will require an integrated, multi-modal approach – one that could complement or compete with existing traditional infrastructure.

It may be unclear how new modes and technology disruptors will integrate with existing infrastructure and change the mobility landscape, but it is certain the future will be more connected and multi-modal.

Connect with the Los Angeles technology team to learn more about the future of transportation and what it means to your agency or organization. Contact Steer Davies Gleave’s Head of Technology, Craig Nelson, at craig.nelson@sdgworld.net or 213-425-0942.