H2O & RPMS

Thursday, March 30, 2017

We had a blast at the event due to the amazing caliber of speakers and the new table talk format. A big thank you to each and every one of our participants:

• Walter “Buzz” Pishkur | City of Arlington (@CityOfArlington ) | Water Director
• Brandom Gengelbach | Fort Worth Chamber (@FTWChamber ) | Vice President Economic Development
• Elizabeth Mow, P.E. | North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) | Assistant Executive Director of Infrastructure
• Loyl C. Bussell, P.E. | TxDOT Fort Worth District (@TxDOTFTWPIO) | Deputy District Engineer
• Dan Lamers | North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCoG) | Senior Transportation Program Manager
• Travis Kelly | Texas Central Partners, LLC (@TexasCentral) | Vice President, External Affairs
• Christopher Harder, P.E. | City of Fort Worth (@cityoffortworth) | Assistant Director Water
• Pat Acker, P.E. | Halff Associates | Vice President of Water Services | Representing the Greater Dallas Planning Council (GDPC)

Each speaker routed tables every ten minutes while the attendees remained seated in a "Table Talk" format. This allowed for a more intimate setting with deeper conversations. Here are some brief quotes from the things discussed:

• Are you ready to go to the ballpark in autonomous vehicles? Get ready they are already in Arlington according to Walter “Buzz” Pishkur. The City of Arlington is innovative with more than just their transportation. Buzz gave great insight into the new robot and metering system and how Arlington has some of the lowest water costs in North Texas.
• Brandom Gengelbach led lively table talks and thinks "it's a fun time to be in Fort Worth". Our city is growing and taking its “brand” to the next level. All the construction and growth we are experiencing is creating an opportunity to expand and build staying true to our unique style. @Gengelbach 
• Elizabeth Mow, P.E.  discussed population growth and how to make our roads work especially as we face being landlocked. She shared that in the next 5 years there will be $1B in expansion work!
• Loyl C. Bussell, P.E. understands the struggle to differentiate within the requirements & forms but stressed the importance to do so. He also conveyed that TxDOT is busy “catching up” to the current growth we have already experienced. This explains why we are seeing a big push for work on the western side of Tarrant County.
• Dan Lamers estimates 2025 for a rail trip between Fort Worth & Dallas. 
• Travis Kelly confirmed Texas Central Partners is working on a Dallas to Houston one-seat high-speed-rail on the Texas Bullet Train.
• After a successful pilot using telemetry on meters, Christopher Harder, P.E. shared plans to expand their use in 2017.
• Pat Acker, P.E. represented the Greater Dallas Planning Council (GDPC) well explaining that they are actively working with surrounding communities and organizations regarding the re-use of treated wastewater and the development of green storm water infrastructure systems, which are two kinds of innovation that demonstrate wise use of our water resources.

It was great to partner with the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) DFW which had about 40 ASHE members in attendance. 

Future of Transportation

Craig Galati, AIA, FSMPS, CPSM
Brian R. Barth, P.E. 

Brian is the district engineer for the Fort Worth District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) speaks about the future of the DFW region. 

Craig Galati, SMPS Society President and Principal of LGA, a consulting firm practicing sustainability, architecture, and sociology, shares what he and his firm are seeing as the future in transportation.