ajmacisaac:

In 2010, there are 476 urban areas with at least 1 million people worldwide. That’s an increase of 573% from 1950 when there were 83. Over half the world’s population now lives in urban areas. Transportation congestion continues to grow, wasting time and money while creating more pollution. Most of the developed world’s transportation infrastructures were designed decades ago and reflect the available technology, population and requirements at that time.  Many of our transportation systems are outdated and incapable of meeting the growing demands of society and business. Transportation investment is a hot topic in Washington due to federal stimulus funding and new surface transportation legislation that Congress is working to pass. In light of these events, IBM will bring together policy makers, transportation operators, metro planners, academics and others to discuss the future of transportation and how new innovations and technology can help build smarter transportation systems to better serve society’s needs in the 21st Century.

Hosted at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington D.C. on the morning of February 25, the smarter transportation forum will examine society’s need for updated transportation infrastructures – using technology to predict demand, manage capacity, and improve efficiency. Prominent leaders from government, academia and industry will discuss powerful strategies and solutions to dramatically improve our transportation systems. We will look at what other countries are doing to improve their transportation systems, as well as technologies that are currently being used to make transportation smarter.

On the agenda will be Congressman Earl Blumenaur from Oregon, Janet Kavinocky from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Judge Quentin Kopp,
former Chairman of California High Speed Rail Authority, Dr. Leo Kroon from Netherlands Railway, Gunnar Soderholm from the City of Stockholm and other distinguished guests.

Please RSVP to transprt@us.ibm.com.

When: Thursday, February 25, 2010

Time: 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Where: The Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-318,

Washington, DC 20005

RSVP: transprt@us.ibm.com