EarthxTransportation

This session will consider the long-term trends in the transportation sector globally, nationally, and in Texas. These trends include the demand for transportation services, innovations in vehicles and fuels, energy use, and environmental impacts. The transportation sector plays a large role in economic development, the structure of urban communities, and environmental quality. A vital transportation sector that is innovative and carefully planned can dramatically enhance the quality of life. On the other hand, underinvestment or poorly conceived investment in transportation can degrade important national and community goals. Speakers will include representatives from energy companies, transportation agencies, and academic experts.

Urban communities are shaped by their transportation systems and generate more than half of all transportation services. It appears that dramatic changes may be coming in this sector with developments in electric vehicles, clean fuels, new transportation services, and disruptive technologies such as autonomous vehicles. Speakers will include representatives from vehicle manufacturers, leaders of groups promoting technology innovations, and experts on clean vehicles and new fuels.

There are also exciting new developments in the long-distance transportation of people and goods. Texas will soon be home to one of the first high-speed rail systems in the U.S. The airline industry has made significant commitments to address the impact of its global warming emissions. Attention to logistics in rail and truck movement has dramatically reduced fuel costs and emissions for some major companies in the railroad and trucking sectors. The panel will include experts from the airline, passenger rail and freight handling companies and associations.