In+Motion_Spring 2014

Lea+Elliott Supports Transportation YOU

President’s Column

Lea+Elliott and Southwest Airlines have committed significant support for WTS International’s Transportation YOU program. “Transportation YOU was created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation several years ago and has since gained recognition in the industry as an impactful program to get young women interested in STEM (science, technology, engineerng and math) studies and make them aware of the career opportunities in transportation,” said President and CEO of WTS International Marcia Ferranto. Lea+Elliott has committed scholarships for Transportation YOU’s flagship event, the Transportation YOU DC.Youth Summit, through its corporate scholarship program to subsidize the full DC Youth Summit program for several of the young attendees. Southwest has committed to providing travel to help more young women travel to the DC Youth Summit. The Summit is an opportunity for select Transportation YOU participants from across the country and their mentors to gather in Washington, D.C. to experience once in a lifetime tours, meet with U.S. DOT administrators, and participate in fun challenges and learning experiences. Lea+Elliott Chairman Diane Woodend Jones, AIA, AICP, LEED AP was instrumental in securing the company’s support for the Program. “Lea+Elliott is a long-time sponsor of WTS, and we are proud to step up our support in a way that will attract more young women to the transportation field, “ she said. “The Transportation YOU DC Youth Summit is part industry tour, part field experience, part project training, and 100% about making connections. It’s an incredible opportunity for girls with an appreciation for science, technology, engineering, or math, and we’re proud to help some who may not otherwise be able to come.” WTS International is an association that encourages the global advancement of women in transportation. For more information about Transportation YOU, visit www.TransportationYOU.org

Rail increases revenue - study confirms financial value of Airport- to-City Rail service The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is expanding rail service to Dulles International Airport, which

includes a 23-mile extension of their Metrorail system. Dallas Area Rapid Transit is adding nearly five miles of light rail, which will complete the 22-mile connection from DFW airport to downtown. Why? What’s the motivation? Competitive advantage and economic gain … And here’s how it works. A study was released late last year which was sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association and the U.S. Travel Association. This study, A New Partnership: Rail Transit and Convention Growth , confirms the trends we have been watching. Here are some highlights: • Over the past six years, hotel rates and revenue averaged 10.9% higher in cities with commuter rail service to and from airports. • Hotels within ¼-mile of rail stations achieved even greater gain, with an average of 12.5% higher occupancy and nearly 50% higher (48.6%) average daily room rates. • In the non-recession years, that average hotel rate and revenue increase jumps to 16.9%. The study compared hotel performance in six cities with airport access via rail to popular convention cities without direct airport-to-city rail systems. We were key players on the airport transit projects at five of the six rail-connected airports in the study. We know the reliability of the data. We are seeing the economic growth that follows those air/ transit connections. I invite you to read this new report: ( http://www.apta. com/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/ATPA- UST-New-Partnership.pdf ). Then call us. We can help your community take strides toward developing robust rail connections.

Diane Woodend Jones, Vice Chair of WTS International Board Diane was recently re-elected to a second term on the WTS International’s Board of Directors as the incoming Vice Chair. “The new Board of Directors is an incredible group of industry

leaders at the highest levels, and they represent the modes and sectors that make up our membership, which represents every transportation mode and a multitude of disciplines,” said WTS International President and CEO Marcia Ferranto in a press release. The incoming officers and board members will assume their roles at the WTS business meeting on May 16.

Jack Norton

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Vol. 22 No 1