Overview
Transportation agencies have real problems. Penn has real expertise. On October 29, TRIP is putting them in the same room.
TRIP (the Transportation Initiative at Penn) is hosting Pitchfest: Transportation, an afternoon where public transportation agencies pitch real-world projects in need of research partners — and Penn students, faculty, and staff step up to help solve them. Each agency gets two minutes to make their case, followed by a panel discussion on applied research in transportation and a matchmaking session connecting agencies with the right Penn expertise.
A conversation moderated by Leslie Richards will feature:
• Gia Biagi, Secretary, Illinois Department of Transportation
• Solomon Caviness, Commissioner, Atlanta Department of Transportation
• Mark Compton, Chief Executive Officer, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
• Marie Therese Dominguez, Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation
• Rich Farr, Executive Director, rabbittransit
• Sabrina Sussman, Chief Program Officer, Choose How You Move Nashville
Join us Thursday, October 29 at the Penn Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. The program runs 2:30–5:00 PM in Harrison Auditorium, followed by a cocktail party from 5:15–7:00 PM in the Asia Gallery. Free to attend. Whether you're a student, faculty, or staff working in transportation policy, planning, or research, this is where the next great collaboration gets started.
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U.S. cities are home to some of the world’s top research universities, but public agencies often do not have an easy way of tapping into that expertise. The Pitchfest aims to close that gap, harnessing the talent of local experts to help public agencies implement more effective and evidence-based programs and policies.
Pilot City has been supporting local partners in co-hosting versions of the Pitchfest since 2024. In total, more than 40 government agencies and more than 500 local experts have participated, and Pilot City has matched those experts to more than 50 projects. This is the first year of Pitchfest: Transportation.
TRIP actively engages students, faculty, transportation agencies, and private partners in research and pilot projects. By partnering with Pilot City, TRIP will surface a broader set of opportunities for collaboration with public agencies.
