Future-Proofing Transportation Systems to meet 21st Century Transportation Needs
Christopher Francis, Ph.D.
Marlin Engineering Inc.
Friday, February 25, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Future-proofing transportation is not an option available to transportation professionals as it’s driven by technology and data analytics to meet the needs of passenger and freight mobility. New and emerging technologies with the data tools of today have a transformative effect on people and goods movement and present unlimited opportunities to transportation professionals who are expected to respond to these changes and expectations to better deliver transportation services that enhance “user experience” at local, regional and national levels. For this to happen, transportation professionals and entities must adapt and adopt to the of use market-ready and emerging technologies and tools for developing solutions to problems and challenges faced by the transportation sector at large, be it passenger or freight, urban or rural, multimodal or multi-jurisdictional, as users expect a safe, fast, and seamless transportation system. This presentation attempts to capture different facets, dimensions and potential applications of new technologies and data tools to alleviate the problems and issues at hand with case studies and how to advance into the future through solutions that are context-sensitive and consensus-based.
Christopher Francis, Ph.D., has over 35 years of progressive experience in transportation engineering dealing with infrastructure planning, systems management, technology applications, and data analytics. Chris has worked in both public and private sector entities in transportation and is currently vice president of technology & analytics at Marlin Engineering, Inc. in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris leads Marlin’s emerging technologies and data analytics practice and is the project manager for FDOT’s Traffic Monitoring Program Support Contract with FDOT’s Transportation and Data Analytics office. Chris is passionate about the use of new technologies and data tools for passenger and freight movement and providing end-to-end mobility solutions that enhance system performance and user experience. Chris is actively engaged in peer exchange and technology transfer activities, both domestic and international. He has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a master’s degree in transportation engineering, and a doctoral degree in Civil Engineering in the area of land use.