ATTENTION: Transportation, energy, environmental, technology, business and political journalists
WHAT: "High-Speed Rail: Challenges and Opportunities for California," an evening symposium at the University of California, Berkeley, on California's high-speed rail plan. Transportation experts will discuss the complex issues that will impact the success of the project — the biggest transportation infrastructure undertaking in the United States since the completion of the interstate highway system.
Last week, the California High-Speed Rail Authority board approved a $4.5 billion application for funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for high-speed and intercity rail development. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to submit the bid to the Federal Railroad Administration by Oct. 2.
Symposium topics will include development and value-capture issues, urban planning, the economics of competition between high-speed rail and air, a life-cycle environmental assessment and big-picture infrastructure questions.
The UC Berkeley symposium is being organized by the Institute of Transportation Studies and co-sponsored by the Global Metropolitan Studies Center.
WHEN: 5–7:10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6. A reception will immediately follow the program.
WHERE: Alumni House, north of Zellerbach Playhouse. See campus map.
WHO: Speakers will include:
Robert Cervero, professor of city and regional planning
Carlos Daganzo, Robert Horonjeff Professor of Civil Engineering
Elizabeth Deakin, professor of city and regional planning
Mark Hansen, professor of civil and environmental engineering
Arpad Horvath, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering
The moderator will be Samer Madanat, Xenel Professor of Engineering and director of the Institute of Transportation Studies.
DETAILS:
The Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS), a campus research unit with more than 100 affiliated faculty and researchers, is one of the world's leading centers for transportation research, education and scholarship. ITS's nine affiliated research and education programs receive an average of $20 million in research funds each year.
Global Metropolitan Studies, an interdisciplinary campus initiative, comprises more than 70 faculty affiliates working to better understand the implications of worldwide growth in metropolitan areas and to develop strategies to improve urbanization processes and outcomes.
More event information is available on the UC Berkeley Events Calendar.
MEDIA R.S.V.P.:
Ann Guy, (510) 643-4393, annguy@berkeley.edu. Space will be very limited; reporters must RSVP and arrive prior to 4:50 p.m.