UCLA Mobility Center of Excellence Hosts Government and Industry Workshop on Emerging Transportation Technologies

Held at the UCLA Faculty Club on April 15, the event also welcomed representatives from local, state and federal government agencies; global tech companies; transportation and mobility organizations; as well as researchers from UCLA, partner institutions and nonprofit organizations.

Mobility Center of Excellence director Jiaqi Ma, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and faculty associate director of the UCLA Institute for Transportation Studies, opened the workshop by outlining its goals: to hear directly from stakeholders about their mobility technology priorities and how UCLA researchers can support and accelerate those efforts.

Discussions focused on the pressing challenges and current capabilities of participating organizations — particularly around automated vehicles, vehicle-to-everything connectivity, artificial intelligence, mobility services and safety.

Ah-Hyung “Alissa” Park, the Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean of Engineering at UCLA Samueli, welcomed attendees to campus and emphasized the broader societal importance of transportation and mobility technologies, pointing out that they enable people to access opportunities and improve lives. Park said that preparations for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games have the potential to serve as a catalyst for long-term transformation.

“Let’s think about the next 20 years or more, because there’s so much to be done,” said Park, a chemical and biomolecular engineering professor, whose research focuses on carbon capture, utilization and storage. “It’s our job now to lead — to shape where we go, how we get there and make sure that people are empowered along the way.”

California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin also addressed the group via a recorded video message, thanking participants for their commitment to advancing mobility technologies and improving quality of life across the state.

UCLA Samueli
Panelists from regional and state agencies discuss the impact of new mobility technologies on public transportation.

Throughout the day, a series of panels and breakout sessions explored topics ranging from emerging technology development and public policy mandates to automated vehicles and connected transportation. 

Veteran transportation expert Hasan Ikrata, a senior fellow at the Mobility Center of Excellence and an adjunct professor at UCLA Samueli, moderated the opening panel, which examined the impact of disruptive technologies on transportation over the past decade. He was joined by Kome Ajise, executive director of Southern California Association of Governments; Rafael Molina, deputy director of Caltrans District 7; Steven Gota, executive officer of LA Metro and Terra Curtis, director for consumer protection and enforcement of the California Public Utilities Commission. Panelists discussed the transformative effects of smartphone-driven apps such as ride-hailing, shared scooters and real-time transit tools, as well as the challenges of balancing innovation with safety for riders and pedestrians.

In a lightning-round session, government representatives shared key technical and policy concerns, industry leaders highlighted current projects and future needs, and researchers showcased their expertise and available tools for collaboration.

Additional discussions focused on improving sidewalk and curb management, as well as addressing transportation needs related to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games — including optimizing access to and from the Athletes Village on the UCLA campus and using the games as a catalyst for long-term transportation improvements across Southern California.

“This workshop has spotlighted some of the most pressing mobility challenges, and we’re excited to continue working with our government, industry and academic partners to develop innovative solutions,” said Ma. “I also hope we’ve helped lay the foundation for a strong, collaborative network — one where we can share ideas, best practices and support one another in the work ahead.” 

Established in 2023 through a cooperative agreement between the Federal Highway Administration and UCLA, the Mobility Center of Excellence conducts and shares research on the impacts of emerging mobility technologies and highly automated vehicles — including their effects on land use, urban design, transportation systems, real estate and municipal budgets.

This month’s workshop launched the center’s effort to establish a Community of Practice in Los Angeles — part of a national network aimed at expanding information sharing and collaboration.

The Center’s interdisciplinary team includes scholars and experts from UCLA Samueli, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, along with partners from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Alabama and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The center also collaborates with the nonprofit Shared-Use Mobility Center in Chicago and MetroLab Network in Washington, D.C.