Paige Humecki is a passionate professional in the energy sector who has been with ArchTam since 2018. From her beginnings in Chicago to her current role in London, Paige’s career journey is a testament to innovation, collaboration and a commitment to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Today, Paige leads our Energy Advisory team in the UK, supporting a range of energy system feasibility and decarbonization programs for public and private clients.  

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I first became interested in the energy sector during my studies in environmental engineering, but it was my first job at a small energy consulting firm that truly ignited my passion. In my opinion, energy is the greatest challenge of the 21st century. How do we meet increasing energy needs while decarbonizing and achieving critical climate goals? This is the question that drives me every day.

I think what has kept me in the industry is that there is always something new. There’s always a new technology, or a new approach. I feel like every six months, there is something technically different about my job that I can learn about. I also like that often when we’re working on projects, we’re focusing on the feasibility of the project because it’s the first of its kind. No one has quite figured out how to broadly decarbonize multiple industrial sectors — or how to decarbonize an entire town. That means we’re often piecing together the puzzle in real time. What technical limitations do we need to navigate? Which emerging technologies are mature enough to apply?

The people in this industry have been a significant source of inspiration for me, both at ArchTam and within the energy sector. I think many people are driven by similar factors to those that inspire me — ultimately, these are decarbonization and achieving vital global goals. We face the immense challenge of addressing these issues on a global scale. Overall, the innovative approaches we take and the incredible people we work with along the way make this journey truly rewarding.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

Since joining ArchTam in 2018, I’ve had the privilege of working on a wide range of projects, from electric vehicle charging infrastructure to community-based energy initiatives. Moving to London has given me a global perspective on the energy industry, and it’s been fascinating to see how energy challenges are approached differently in different countries.

One of the things I love about working at ArchTam is the incredible technical expertise of my colleagues and their willingness to share knowledge. It’s a collaborative environment in which I’m constantly learning and growing — which is something I truly value.

I also love the scale and diversity of the work we do. It takes time to fully grasp everything ArchTam is involved in, but that’s part of the excitement. I’m always discovering new opportunities and areas of expertise within the company, which keeps my work dynamic and fulfilling.

It’s difficult to choose just one favorite project, but two stand out as particularly meaningful to me because of their scale, complexity and the impact they had on both my professional growth and the communities we served.

The first was a project on which I had the privilege of leading a team to help a major industrial client in Europe achieve its ambitious climate-neutral goals. This was a large-scale initiative that required us to travel across multiple European countries to assess a variety of industrial sites. Each site had its own unique challenges, from outdated infrastructure to varying levels of regulatory compliance, and we had to develop tailored decarbonization strategies for each one. The project was intense, with a fast-paced timeline and high stakes, but it was also incredibly rewarding. It pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated, from managing a diverse team to navigating the complexities of working across different countries and cultures. What made the experience even more fulfilling was the client’s genuine passion and commitment to sustainability. They were fully invested in the process, which created a collaborative and inspiring environment for everyone involved. It was a powerful reminder of how impactful partnerships can be when everyone is aligned toward a common goal.

The second project that stands out is the bus electrification study we conducted for the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency in California. This project was particularly meaningful because it combined technical innovation with a strong focus on community impact. The task was to design solutions for electrifying a bus fleet in a rural area with limited electrical infrastructure. This wasn’t just about implementing cutting-edge technology; it was about addressing the unique needs of small, often underserved communities. We had to think creatively about how to overcome the challenges of limited grid capacity while ensuring that the solutions we proposed were both practical and sustainable. Our analysis went beyond just the buses themselves — we explored how investments in electrification could bring broader benefits to the community, such as improving access to the electrical grid and reducing energy costs for residents. The project also required extensive community engagement, which was particularly challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to adapt to virtual outreach methods to ensure that the voices of local residents were heard and that their needs were incorporated into our plans. Despite these challenges, the project remains a highlight of my career because of its potential to make a real difference in people’s lives. It was incredibly rewarding to know that our work could help create a more sustainable and equitable future for these communities.

Both of these projects represent what I love most about working at ArchTam: the opportunity to tackle complex, meaningful challenges that require innovative thinking and collaboration. They have not only allowed me to grow as a professional but have also reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact on the world through my work.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

Much of my work at ArchTam revolves around feasibility studies. While I may often be working a few steps ahead of actual implementation, I take immense pride in knowing that these early studies lay the foundation for projects that can transform communities. Our projects are a rewarding reminder that the groundwork we lay today sparks the transformative projects of tomorrow.

Ultimately, decarbonization and grappling with the practical limits in any community sits at the core of my work. Personally, however, a way in which I feel I have positively impacted the community and one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career has been engaging directly with students and young professionals.

The energy industry is experiencing significant growth, and there is a shortage of skilled professionals. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to host placement students and interns. I have also spoken at events and visited schools, which has allowed me to connect with individuals who are early in their careers or who may not have had exposure to this sector. I enjoy discussing the energy industry with them and sharing insights about its opportunities.

However, I feel that it is critical to tie decarbonization to real opportunities for people — and opportunities to engage with early professionals or anyone who’s still deciding what to study at university is my favourite way of doing that. We need so many skilled professionals across the energy industry, from all backgrounds and with various skill sets, and it takes time to develop them. Each conversation, internship, and school visit contributes to preparing these future professionals to tackle the big challenges in the energy industry. Seeing them leave with renewed enthusiasm and a clearer vision for their roles in our field is incredibly fulfilling.

Share a piece of career advice

I always tell people: never stop asking questions. Curiosity is so important, especially in a field like energy, as it’s constantly evolving. It’s critical to stay open to learning — whether it’s gaining technical knowledge or understanding the decisions being made around you. After all, if we had all the answers, we would already have decarbonized the world!

As a woman in this industry, I’ve felt the pressure to always have the answers, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask questions and seek clarity. I feel that this is the only way to grow and contribute meaningfully. I encourage everyone entering this field to embrace curiosity and not shy away from asking for help or deeper understanding.

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Dana Al-Qadi, D.Eng, PE is a vice president at ArchTam and a director of our Energy practice in the U.S. Her technical experience includes decarbonization, electrification, resilience and program management. She is a licensed civil engineer and graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) where she completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil and environmental engineering and received her doctoral degree from the George Washington University where her dissertation focused on urban water system resilience.

1. Tell us a little bit about your career journey and your role at ArchTam?

When I first joined ArchTam, I worked as an engineer in the Water team. It was my first job in the industry after graduate school and I worked on water treatment plants, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compliance, and vulnerability assessments. Soon after, I started to expand my work to sustainability and resilience projects and transportation decarbonization projects across the United States.  

Today, I lead ArchTam’s Energy practice across the western United States and am active in our strategy and growth around transportation decarbonization.  This role is exciting for me because many states in the western US, particularly states like California, are on the cutting edge of key energy initiatives, such as grid modernization, renewables, and decarbonization.

I have enjoyed the diversity of my career journey thus far and am especially grateful to the wonderful mentorship I have received along the way.  It has made such opportunities possible and allowed me to shape my career in a way that is very meaningful for me on both a personal and professional level.

2. Talk to us about a project that has impacted or been a major highlight of your career. How is it solving the challenges and issues our clients and communities are facing today? 

ArchTam has a long history of supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which includes London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and now Los Angeles 2028 (LA28).

I’m proud to be currently working on the energy advisory and planning strategy for LA28, to ensure that the City of Los Angeles can deliver the Games more sustainably with decarbonization and resilience goals at the forefront.

LA28 represents a particularly poignant moment in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Memorial Coliseum will be the first venue in the history of the Games to have been used in three Olympic Games (1932, 1984 and 2028). LA is also relying on existing infrastructure, providing an opportunity to evaluate opportunities for meaningful and long-term sustainability initiatives. In doing so, it also represents a microcosm of similar journeys other cities all over the world will find themselves on as they work to achieve decarbonization goals by leveraging their existing infrastructure.

The Games is also driven by clear goals to positively impact the broader Los Angeles community, with a particular emphasis on supporting disadvantaged communities, the need for inclusive access and meaningful legacy. The work with LA28 has been especially meaningful to me as it represents the ways in which energy advisory and planning are vital components of addressing real challenges faced by communities. I take pride in our team and the role that ArchTam has in working with partners all over the city to ensure that the Games is something our Los Angeles community will be proud of.

3. How is LA100 driving Los Angeles to transition to cleaner, greener, more sustainable energy sources?

The LA100 initiative is propelling Los Angeles towards cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy sources by reflecting the city’s deep commitment to investing in renewable energy. By setting ambitious targets and milestones, LA100 is providing a measurable way to achieve goals related to decarbonization and grid modernization. As one of the first plans of its kind in the U.S, it stands out as a groundbreaking study that provides a blueprint for how to assess the impact such transitions can have on local jobs, the economy and equity.

As we consider the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy, one of the important focus areas is to ensure that the benefits are widespread and inclusive.  As a study, LA100 is intentional about strategies to improve action and promote participation in programs aimed at advancing the clean energy transition. The commitment to meaningful actions and partnerships is a significant aspect of the LA100 initiative and it’s enabling ArchTam to support our LA community, which resonates strongly with our own ESG strategy Sustainable Legacies and improving social outcomes in the communities in which we work.

4. What are some of the innovations you’re seeing in the energy industry that are helping organizations to achieve their net zero carbon goals? 

The energy industry is full of innovation. Gone are the days when infrastructure projects were solely defined by a single discipline. Today, many infrastructure projects recognize the need to be multidisciplinary, with energy often serving as the foundational cornerstone for the success of the entire project. The big driver behind this transition is the need to address decarbonization, requiring fundamental shifts in how we address core infrastructure components such as buildings, mobility, and our grid system. It allows us to reimagine how infrastructure systems interact with one another – for example, commercial equipment that can combine both bidirectional EV charging and solar energy conversion and then be fully integrated into home battery storage to be used as a distributed energy resource (DER) represents how creative the energy sector can be and how technology is evolving to meet the interdisciplinary and holistic needs of the moment regarding infrastructure. At the core of this is a commitment to innovations within our grid system to ensure that as electrification continues to increase, we ensure that our system can meet demand.

We are seeing the energy industry increasingly embracing digital advancements to expedite the energy transition and enhance sustainable solutions. This includes the integration of tools like digital twins, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) networks, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and autonomous vehicles. All of these digital innovations contribute to a faster and more effective realization of net zero goals and are largely driven by the energy industry.

The post Transforming Los Angeles: Meet Dana Al-Qadi appeared first on Blog.

I’m a passionate planning manager in ArchTam’s Los Angeles office and was drawn to California from 7,000 miles away to pursue my master’s degree in planning at the University of Southern California. With a seven-year tenure with ArchTam, I’ve dedicated myself to advancing the transportation sector and making impactful contributions to the broader L.A. community.

I have a deep passion for the transportation sector and actively seek opportunities to broaden my expertise and engagement. I’ve contributed to a wide range of projects, encompassing various modes of transportation and emerging technologies in diverse settings. I combine my experience in the public and private sectors for clients across the U.S. and globally such as FRA, USTDA, L.A. Metro, SCAG, TriMet, DelDOT, the L.A. 2028 Olympics Committee, and NEOM, to name a few.

My expertise in planning has flourished since my move to L.A., especially in transit and rail. I now understand how different modes of transportation support the diversified needs for mobility and its vitality. It’s more than just motion — it’s the lifeblood of the city, influencing the daily routines of residents and the delivery of goods.

I believe in and am deeply committed to sustainable development, and I will continue my journey as a transit advocate and do what I can as a practitioner to help advance quality transit systems and bridge neighborhoods with improved connectivity.

Pioneers in the transportation industry work towards crafting a more healthy, diverse and resilient L.A. My involvement in projects like the Crenshaw Northern Extension project for L.A. Metro holds personal significance because it directly influences my own commuting experience. I’m also contributing to the Sepulveda Transit Corridor project, aimed at addressing the infamous congestion on I-405, a challenge recognized nationwide. Engaging in projects closely connected to my daily life fills me with so much joy and satisfaction as I feel I’m actively doing my part to improve the quality of life for residents in communities just like mine.

L.A.’s reputation for urban sprawl, traffic jams and car-centric culture is undeniable. I believe that enhancing mobility in L.A. is a multi-faceted challenge that will require a harmonious blend of efficient cross-sector collaboration, astute infrastructure policy, technological integration and effective public engagement. 

To boost L.A.’s mobility, prioritizing the expansion and refinement of its public transit is essential. I advocate for systems with dedicated lanes and stress the significance of safe and seamless first/last-mile connections. Implementing robust policy measures, considering emerging transportation technologies and exploring innovative solutions like congestion pricing and EV infrastructure will drive L.A. toward improved mobility for all.

Envisioning L.A.’s transportation future, I’m a key member of ArchTam’s North American Zero-Emission Transportation team, specializing in EV-related policy and strategic development advisory. I foresee L.A. swiftly embracing mass EV adoption, bolstered by the rapid roll-out of charging infrastructure and fleet conversions. For cities like L.A, intertwining innovation with sustainability, equity and safety is key to establishing efficient and inclusive transportation networks.

The post Driving L.A.’s transportation evolution: A planner’s perspective appeared first on Blog.

This week, we hear from George Lunt, technical director and new mobility specialist from our Future Mobility team based in Bristol, United Kingdom, as he discusses his work leading an innovative e-scooter trial in the south-west of England.  

The West of England region is one of just four Future Transport Zones (FTZ) in the country, set up to trial the latest innovations for creating convenient, accessible alternatives to car travel and encourage a much-needed modal shift.  

Hailed as the most successful trial of its kind in England, this e-scooter project — run by the West of England Combined Authority and part of the FTZ — demonstrates the exciting potential of this green and cost-effective mode of transport being rolled out on a wider scale elsewhere.  

With 20 years of industry experience, George has a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise, having previously led the Capri autonomous vehicle (AV) trials in Bristol and at London’s Olympic Park — a three-year project that made great strides in building public trust and accelerating momentum for AVs in the UK. 

Tell us more about the micro-mobility trial you are leading in the West of England and how it is benefiting communities and the environment. 

Currently, I am working with the West of England Combined Authority — the overarching transport authority that covers Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire — to support the FTZ.  

As part of this programme, several projects are underway that ArchTam is closely involved in, including Mobility Hubs, which is trialling more community-focused transport interchanges; Mobility as a Service, which streamlines integrated journey planning and ticketing onto one smartphone app; and Demand Responsive Transport (DRT), which is replacing traditional fixed bus routes by enabling drivers to be more agile and dynamic about where people are picked up enroute.  

Although I am involved in all these projects in some shape or form, the project I have been working most closely with is the e-scooter trial, which I am currently leading. Launched almost three years ago, this trial is the most successful of its kind in England — if not in Europe — and has been highly popular in the West of England, providing real benefits to local communities. Since the trial started, there have been 430,000 users and more than 12 million rides.  

As part of this work, we have been collaborating with the University of the West of England to evaluate the impact of scooter users and so far, from the surveys we’ve done of participants in these trials, we’re seeing a shift away from all other forms of transport. When you take all the changes into account, we are seeing that the e-scooter trial has contributed to reduced carbon emissions across the whole region. So, in terms of having an impact on carbon and air quality, that’s an immediate benefit that we can demonstrate.  

In addition, we’re looking at individual stories from users through in-depth interviews. The remarkable thing is that when you start talking to users, you see how much they’re embedding this mode of transport into their daily lives. People are telling us stories about how accessible the scooters are and how they’re enabling them to undertake trips they would not have been able to do before.  

One of the nice things about the trial in the West of England is that there are significant discounts for people who are on income support, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance. This way, we can really target interventions to the right people in the right way — and that’s because the e-scooters are technology-enabled and app-based. Thanks to the ease in which these kinds of initiatives can be implemented, using digital technology, positive impacts can be made at pace. 

The next phase of the trial is to try and take some of the things we’re doing with e-scooters and move them over to rental e-bikes. We’re especially keen on this because e-bikes enable you to travel longer distances more comfortably, so the overall carbon impact is going to be greater. 

Ultimately, what we want to do is to integrate with other modes of transport that enable people to travel more sustainably — such as making it easier for people to get to a train or bus stop, when they might have otherwise taken a taxi or driven. By trialling this project here in a part of the West of England, we can create a blueprint, if you like, for being able to roll it out more significantly across the wider region.

Did you come across any challenges during the project and how did you overcome them? 

We certainly came across challenges on the e-scooter trial. I prefer to think of them as opportunities though, because the whole point of these projects is to learn from them. So, I think if you don’t have challenges, it means you’re not pushing the boundaries far enough and you’re not challenging yourself to get the most learning. 

Some of the difficulties have been around striking the right balance between having enough e-scooters on the road to make it a convenient service for users, whilst keeping them tidy and organised so that it prevents street clutter. When it comes to valuable road users — like blind or partially-sighted people, or people with wheelchairs — poorly parked e-scooters on already cluttered footways are a big challenge.  

What we’re looking to do over time is to introduce more on-road parking where possible, because in my view, the footways need to be for pedestrians. But we also didn’t want that to be a barrier to the whole trial from the outset. So, that’s been a challenge in terms of the logistical side of things: How do you educate people to park in the right way and be compliant, and how do you push the operator to enforce those rules and get the message out there? 

This requires a strong relationship between the Transport Authority and the local Highway Authority responsible for maintaining public highways. The goal is getting that partnership right, identifying where the correct parking areas should be, and getting them signed off and approved across all parties to get that working. 

Another challenge was helping to reverse negative perceptions of e-scooters, such as people reporting e-scooter riders jumping red lights and riding on the footway, etc. We really need to listen to those concerns and use the technology and all the measures we have to improve that. Interesting our research shows that e-scooter riders and cyclists have similar levels of compliance, whether it be jumping red lights, riding on the footway, and other inappropriate behaviour. So, this demonstrates to me the need for better infrastructure. For example, our research shows that people often feel the need to ride on a footway because they feel it’s too dangerous to ride on the road. Therefore, the big uptake of e-scooter riding in the West of England really helps put forward the case for better cycling and e-scooter infrastructure in general. 

What lessons have you learned from this project and how are you going to take them forward into your future work? 

A big lesson I’ve learned is the level of collaboration that’s needed to make things work at scale. In terms of the e-scooter trial’s success, that’s largely down to the collaborative work that we’ve done with the West of England Combined Authority, the operator and the Unitary Authorities — as well as all the wider stakeholders including the police and fire service. 

We’ve also worked with an equality group — which supports valuable road users — and universities. The University of Bristol, for instance, has done some quite innovative retrofitting of air quality sensors on scooters and is currently trialling that technology. I have learnt a massive amount by working with all the great people on my team too.  Another key factor for success is investment. We’ve been fortunate in the West of England that the trial has been partly funded by the FTZ. This has enabled us to give the project the attention it needs and deserves to make it a success.  

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Congress and the Biden Administration are pushing to fund it and, most importantly, put the climate-oriented policy frameworks in place to do it right. As of September 2021, Congress is poised to act on the bipartisan $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If it passes, it will provide significant funds to jump-start electrification and enable decisive movement toward a low-carbon electric grid. We are actively supporting many of our clients in operationalizing this exciting and challenging shift from vehicles powered by gasoline to an electrified future.

Why is modernizing the grid so important? The International Energy Agency expects the global electric vehicle fleet to reach about 130 million by 2030, and to increase electricity demand by 4-to-6 percent. Technological and policy developments could push these numbers much higher. What we do know is this: Electric vehicles will vastly increase the demands on our energy grid. We are working with our clients to plan and execute effective modernization strategies that take into account the specific grid-related needs and issues from the micro to macro level so that we can reliably power electric vehicles and boost user confidence. Recent severe weather-related U.S. grid shortages and outages have further highlighted the need to modernize the grid for resilience as well as effectively power our transportation infrastructure.

The electric grid, as we know it, needs to adapt. Once sourced solely from large power plants, modern grids need to accommodate increased supplies from renewable, distributed resources that enable power to flow more flexibly based on supply and demand. While some solutions will be shared, each utility and geographical region will have different grid resources and demands, so a one-size-fits-all solution won’t work. Physical infrastructure improvements coupled with digital smart grid management technology will enable distribution utilities to move energy from one part of the grid to another to avoid service interruptions. And innovation will play a key role in enabling these new-use requirements.

Electric utilities are poised to see a significant growth in demand for their services. Utilities, as well as the policy making community, must be proactive to support the effective transition to transportation electrification: modeling, developing, implementing and managing programs and incentives to advance energy infrastructure and grid modernization.

Enter the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With proposed federal investments to reenergize America’s power grid and transmission systems, resources will flow to states and municipalities to modernize the grid, producing jobs and strengthening communities along the way. As passed by the U.S. Senate in August 2021, this $1.2 trillion investment toward infrastructure initiatives would be spent in just five years – an average of $700 million dollars a day – and approval by the House of Representatives and President Biden’s signature are all that’s required to authorize the funding. The funds proposed for grid modernization and transportation electrification is significant, and ArchTam is supporting our proactive clients in preparing to leverage these funding resources as they are made available.

As of this writing, Congress is also considering other funding proposals as outlined in the Administration’s Build Back Better Initiative that target electrifying our transportation infrastructure.  Funding has targeted building out a national network of charging stations, subsidizing renewable energy development, incentivizing consumers to purchase electric vehicles, funding municipalities and states to convert their school bus fleets from diesel to electric, and many other investments that would fund the transition to a low-carbon transportation system.

New allies, new challenges. The transition to electrified transportation and distributed energy resources also highlights the need for collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Their partnership can benefit utility companies and transit agencies by delivering roadmaps for electrification programs and incentive funding through existing loan programs and contracting measures. The DOT typically funds vehicles, such as new buses, but not the energy infrastructure needed to support electrified fleets. The DOE can help plan the modernization of the grid and provide technical expertise to expand advanced control systems.

The nation’s electric utility industry is grappling with the difficult challenge of powering up the nation’s vehicles as more people are buying electric cars, fleets are announcing conversions, manufacturers are responding to the demand and policy makers are encouraging the shift. The electric utility industry is highly regulated, and it’s designed from a regulatory standpoint to deliver the power needed when the customer wants it. How will different utilities meet the challenge, and mitigate the risks? How quickly will demand grow? How should utility rate structures be optimally designed? What are the reliability issues that need to be mitigated? How will be local distribution utilities fund grid improvements needed to effectively power all the new transportation-related needs? And what’s the right blend of private vs. public investment?  

While the challenges are significant, the opportunity is greater.  With the initial funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, innovative thinking from DOT and DOE, the private sector can and will respond with solutions.  At ArchTam, where we are deeply involved in all aspects of transportation, we can see that grid modernization is at the heart of transportation electrification. It’s an opportunity to create new jobs, power the transition to a lower-carbon use economy and deliver the future of infrastructure.

The post Scaling Up: Electric vehicles, distributed energy, grid modernization and the infrastructure debate appeared first on Blog.

What are eVTOLs? Powered by electricity, eVTOL take off vertically like a helicopter, and fly horizontally like a traditional airplane. Differing from its predecessors, eVTOLs are technology-heavy, featuring virtually silent electric motors or rotors that communicate with the batteries that power them – functions that require sophisticated proprietary software and charging technology.  As a result, we are seeing eVTOL developed by technology companies that have hired experts from the aviation industry.

This new transportation mode may improve mobility by quickly transporting small numbers of people within cities and across regions. They may also provide the rapid response logistics needed for emergency situations and increase small and rural market access.

How might they operate? There are currently two passenger transportation models, each designed to accommodate specific needs and functions. The first is based around vertistops, which is envisioned for urban locations and designed for short hops that allow for easy mobility within cities. These can be placed on existing infrastructure such as building tops or other unused spaces. The second model is compatible for intracity travel within a 150-mile range, restoring regional air service discontinued by traditional airlines due to cost considerations. Longer range eVTOL might require vertiports, stand-alone terminals, Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations and charging facilities within existing airports, greenfield sites or on top of other existing infrastructure. As a faster way to travel, eVTOL may replace cars, regional trains or buses, with many developers and manufacturers focusing on making eVTOLs affordable and accessible.

Vertiports: green infrastructure required. With many eVTOL developers aiming to launch by the year 2024 with the potential for established networks by 2030, these aircrafts represent an entirely new zero carbon industry that must be served by a new type of conducive infrastructure. With these aircrafts not always depending on airport access, our ArchTam team is currently studying the re-purposing of existing, non-traditional infrastructure such as parking garages and distribution facilities. The aircraft may also use existing logistics facilities as vertiport hubs and nontraditional rural locations, such as repurposed roadway infrastructure, as logistic hubs, significantly improving supply chain speed and remote location access.

As with all electric vehicles, eVTOL will increase energy demand. Grid upgrades will be needed to supply the energy required for battery charging and cooling. To complicate matters further, these aircrafts are expected to vary in size, each with proprietary charging methods and requirements specific to the manufacturer. Because of this, these vertiports and vertistops will require facilities to support multiple eVTOL designs and charging types.

What are the challenges in development? Federal, state and local governments are working with developers to create necessary practices, regulations and certifications, with a strong emphasis on flight standards. Given their similar range of motion to helicopters and airplanes, the industry is using those standards as a preliminary form while working to develop one overall flight standard. ArchTam is actively involved in this process with several agencies that are driving policy around the future of eVTOL, such as NASA and North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). In addition, ArchTam holds a board position on the City of Los Angeles Urban Movement Lab, which is a dynamic collaboration between communities, local government and mobility innovators.

Establishing a new industry demands experience and insight. ArchTam is meeting those needs by providing expertise to private developers, airport agencies and eVTOL developers. Recognizing our focus on the future of infrastructure and global airport experience, eVTOL manufacturers are presenting their business models and technical capabilities to our design professionals to help determine feasibility in their ideas and designs. And our familiarity with eVTOL is driving airport authorities, private developers and infrastructure providers to ArchTam for assistance in determining potential preparations and support required to make eVTOL viable.

These efforts may seem like to be a heavy lift but with advanced technology and our integrated expertise combined with manufacturer, federal, state and local government focus, eVTOLs are poised for a smooth takeoff and with them, a more sustainable, equitable future for aviation.

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Vehicle electrification can stimulate the economy, create jobs and, by reducing carbon emissions and other pollution, address inequity, protect our environment and improve public health. Here, we examine current and future policy and funding mechanisms needed to advance this equitable, clean and economically advantageous form of transportation.

Where we are

As we write this blog, the federal government has yet to develop meaningful targeted policies, funding mechanisms or regulations to advance vehicle electrification. States and localities are pressing ahead, working independently of the federal government to develop innovative policies that will advance the transition.

Vehicle electrification is progressing. States like California and New York are taking aggressive approaches establishing initiatives with specific policies and targets tied to utility and transportation sustainability, and climate action goals. The California Air Resources Board is mandating that fleet vehicles across the state be electrified by 2040. Progress is not limited to the coasts. Some of the most aggressive policies are coming from the Midwest and Mountain states. In 2018, Colorado established a comprehensive plan to develop fast-charging corridors across the state. In Illinois, the governor has pledged that his state will be the best place in the United States to drive or manufacture an electric vehicle as part of his published plan, “Eight Principles for a Clean and Renewable Illinois Economy.” Together, those states have pledged to have 1.7 million EVs on state roads by 2030. Both are part of comprehensive approaches aimed at creating jobs, reducing pollution, tackling the climate crisis and ensuring that all communities benefit from the transition to a clean energy economy. They aren’t alone — more states and cities are expected to roll out their own policies once they determine which are successful for early adopters.

Utilities are studying policies to expand energy generation and grid capacity as they work to meet the expected new surge of energy demand resulting from vehicle electrification. Generation increases are expected to come from renewables such as solar, so utilities are opening studies to determine how to best optimize financial and performance success when connecting clean energy sources to battery storage. Careful planning is required to develop a grid that can move energy where and when its needed. As part of this effort, governments and utilities are undertaking studies and projections of when and how people will charge to determine grid impacts and costs.

Funding requires flexibility

Even as states work on policies to accelerate electrification, funding possibilities must be expanded to ensure accelerated goals are met. We work with utilities, regional planners and fleet operators across the country developing options to prioritize investments, tapping new financing strategies and targeting incentives to accelerate electric vehicle adoption, so that e-charging infrastructure is available and affordable.

From that work, we recognize that paying for needed upgrades and charging infrastructure for fleet, transit and personal vehicles can be a major consideration. While there are a few federal grant opportunities available, there are other varied arrays of funding opportunities that can help with the costs. These include traditional incentives from utilities, as well as local and state transportation grants. And, in some instances, states and localities are developing public-private partnerships as one more strategy to innovate on the delivery side of this new infrastructure.

Partnerships: A winning proposition

States, municipalities, regional and local agencies, and utilities have a mutual interest in advancing electrification and are developing partnerships to move the process along. Partnerships provide benefits for all concerned.

Utilities benefit from new customers, a key consideration for an industry where demand has been historically flat. Municipalities and states will see new revenue sources resulting from infrastructure investments, utility taxes and use-based franchise fees. Agencies can reduce systems costs as electrification enables transit networks to run more efficiently with less required maintenance. Importantly, communities will see improved environmental and health benefits through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution tied to transportation.

So where do we go from here?

The transition to electrification would benefit from a national policy addressing climate change and clear policy targets requiring electrification, sending a strong signal to the markets to boost already significant and aggressive technology investment. Setting this aside, it falls to the state and municipal governments and utilities to prioritize carbon reduction and organize their policies and programs so that vulnerable communities are prioritized for the economic and public health benefits that transportation electrification can deliver.

Some states have established aggressive carbon targets and ask utilities to help meet these goals. This is often accomplished by incentivizing customer behaviors, providing rebates for actions such as installing energy-efficient light bulbs to conserve energy. Similar incentive programs are being rolled out for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and increasingly, these programs place equity at the center of program design and delivery.

From government actions to private investments and stronger partnerships, innovative solutions are being developed and tested across the country and the lessons we can learn from those innovations are clear. If we want to get the most from transportation electrification investments, our policies must encourage and require a clear connection between climate action, economic opportunity and equity. Even the most aggressive actions by state and local governments still need an active and supportive federal partner to engage the private sector if we want to ensure that we recover from our current public health and economic crisis and build a future that is healthy, sustainable and inclusive.

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While the transit industry continues to hope for clarity, there are avenues that agencies can pursue to help shore up transit’s future, many stemming from tools that can gather and deliver information. On the passenger side, tools such as rider information applications can help revive rider confidence. For agencies, forecasting and scenario planning can enable informed decisions concerning funding, budget allocations and resources. These efforts together will help keep transit rolling by supporting healthy cities and thriving state economies.

Here are three ways that these tools can help cities maintain the health of their transit networks.

Instilling rider confidence

The future of transit is intrinsically linked to its ridership — which has dropped dramatically as a result of the pandemic. COVID-19 has taken a toll on riders’ confidence in transit safety, with many believing there is a connection between transit use and contracting the virus, despite reports refuting these links. A recent report from the American Public Transportation Association indicated there is no direct correlation between the use of public transit and contracting the coronavirus. The New York Times supports this statement, specifically highlighting conditions in New York City, stating that New Yorkers tend to practice social distancing as they travel on subways and buses while also wearing masks and avoiding talking, eating or drinking.

Regaining rider confidence is essential to the health of our transit systems. Transit agencies can help riders feel more comfortable by prioritizing system cleaning and disinfecting. This, along with providing clear passenger information can enable riders to safely schedule their trips and address their concerns. ArchTam provided cleaning and disinfection protocol guidance to Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to help protect against COVID-19.

While emphasizing the importance of wearing masks and practicing social distancing, transit agencies are also implementing technologies like automated passenger counting, touchless fare payment systems and integrated intelligent solutions to safeguard riders and workers. For passengers, ArchTam’s Transportation Resilient Integrated Passenger Solution (TRIPS) provides an integrated approach to safety by enabling riders to plan their rides for when there are fewer people using the system.

Offering options and information

Tools such as scenario planning — looking at potential occurrences and delivering insight related to different mobility conditions and budget allocations — are increasingly important. Scenario planning and forecasting tools such as ArchTam’s Mobilitics^TM provides agency executives with varied alternatives and up-to-date information giving them if/then scenarios to plan for appropriate mid-, short- and long-term budgetary allocations that can help maintain transit health beyond the short term. Investment is important to the next wave of transit advances — including electrification. Scenario planning can highlight risks and tradeoffs and help to balance immediate concerns with long-term goals.

Options and information are especially important as we continue to manage transit systems in the age of COVID-19, which to date is impacting how many passengers use transit and how. New Jersey Transit is employing ArchTam’s Mobilitics^TM scenario planning tool as well as near real-time anonymized cell phone data to understand behavioral changes, shifts in travel patterns and technology advancements. Together with data analysis, this informs current and future service enabling adjustments around technology and pandemic-related factors and allows for informed budgetary decisions.

Managing resources

Effective transit management can be challenging in the best of times and is even more so during a global pandemic. Agency executive officers, currently focusing available resources on their short-term survival options, may be left with little in reserve for mid- and long-range recovery. It is vital that they move past this thinking as quickly as is feasible and aggressively pivot to comprehensive planning and development of mid- and long-term funding solutions, which I discussed in my previous blog, “Transit Funding in the Age of COVID-19: IT’s Time to Think Beyond the Stimulus.”

In the meantime, scenario planning can help transit agencies develop appropriate resource and budget allocations by providing them with information needed to make the decisions that will put their systems on firmer footing now and in the future. Even in a more typical, everyday scenario, funding and investing in transit electrification has great bearing in equity, climate change and resilience.

These efforts, which are now even more important to the future of transit, require that agencies pursue a paradigm shift toward innovation for new revenue streams including the advancement of vehicle electrification as an essential support. Agencies are investing in electric buses as a means of cutting greenhouse gas emissions as well as the development of new jobs for skilled workers who can advance the infrastructure needed to support this next wave. ArchTam has experts in place to help with the analysis by highlighting risks and tradeoffs to help balance immediate needs and long-term goals.

As the pandemic continues, ridership will continue to fluctuate, and transit agencies will be hard pressed to determine the appropriate short- and long-term investments and budget allocations for their respective systems. Transparency with riders, combined with adherence to disinfectant protocols and the use of scenario planning tools, can help ensure that they maintain the resources that support ridership in the present as well as in the years to come.

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Developing these solutions requires innovation and fundamental change — from the way we commute to the movement of goods to the establishment of our communities. It also requires new partnerships between states, municipalities, transit agencies and utilities. Implementing these changes can make our transportation systems greener, more sustainable and more equitable. There are three key goals to achieve for advancing this vital transition.

Accelerate adoption of greener vehicles and cleaner fuel
Electric vehicles have already started making an impact on our transportation system. By 2030, electric cars will make up about 28 percent of new car sales, a significant increase compared to the expected 2.7 percent sales increase for 2020. And even now, according to Electric Vehicles Outlook, this small increase is displacing 1 million barrels of daily oil demand.

After recognizing the impact of GHG emissions, states, cities’ utilities and transit agencies are converting conventional public vehicle fleets to electrified vehicles — a move that accelerates electrified vehicle adoption and advances state and local economies as well as social equity goals.

Implementing infrastructure that supports these vehicles creates jobs. A study conducted by the Political Economy Research Institute estimates that school and transit bus fleet electrification could create 280,000 jobs over the next five years. Reducing GHG emissions would improve cities’ air quality, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, which are often home to fleet vehicle terminals. A recent Ontario Public Health Association study showed that electrifying fleets has a social benefit of US$1.1 billion annually and can save up to 143 lives per year.

Policy changes also advance electric vehicle adoption. For example, in June, the California Air Resources Board mandated that all buses purchased in the state after 2030 should be electric and beginning in 2024, trucks must be zero emission. The Board has a goal to have all trucks zero be emission by 2045. All municipal buses in the state are expected to be electric by 2040 with more policy changes to follow that encourage the adoption of clean vehicles across the state. These mandates are being provided economic support. Congress’ proposed INVEST bill significantly increases grants to transit agencies that move to low or no emissions vehicles and provides billions to support transportation agencies aiming to reduce their carbon emissions.

Develop partnerships for electrification
Decarbonization requires strategies such as electrification and connecting mobility options. Oftentimes, success hinges on partnerships between groups that have not traditionally worked together and incentivizing shared risks and rewards that drive innovation. Collaborations between utilities, cities, public and private fleet owners, and landowners ensure we incorporate key issues like public health, access to mobility services, jobs and equity in infrastructure decisions.

Strategize and plan for the future of clean energy infrastructure
A cohesive, infrastructure development strategy is essential to enable clean energy use in our transportation networks. These strategies must extend beyond borders and include utilities that provide the energy for vehicles, making electric vehicles more attainable and cost effective. The objective is to put infrastructure in place that supports a range of clean energy solutions including microgrids, vehicle to grid, renewable power generation as well as charging facilities and smart infrastructure for electric vehicles.

A more resilient, sustainable transportation network requires a multi-level approach. With a robust ecosystem of clean energy solutions, partners including public transportation and transit agencies, utilities and private investors will be able to capitalize on a technology that promises improved efficiency and operations. By establishing a multi-faceted network, communities will benefit for years to come.

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Now, as the COVID-19 pandemic reshapes our society, a modern infrastructure program – intelligent, efficient and connected – can transform systems to address current and future natural and man-made stresses and shocks. Done right, this investment could lead to a more resilient and sustainable system, with equitable economic recovery for all.

Coordinated planning, employing digital innovation on a regional or statewide scale, will create higher-performing infrastructure while meeting financial and operating realities. Take our electric grid as an example. Developed more than 130 years ago as a one-way system to meet increasing demand for power, the grid worked well for us for many years. But it has not kept pace with current needs. The electric grid we need now must be distributed, with networked, intelligent and advanced controls to meet our decarbonization goals while improving reliability and eliminating redundancy.

An economic recovery plan that accelerates grid modernization will build community and economic resilience while also serving environmental and social goals. This policy and investment are particularly relevant to regions where power systems are at risk, such as California, where cities and towns face days-long outages due to natural disasters and with significant impacts to critical services for vulnerable residents.

One such opportunity is the recent California Resilience Challenge. Spearheaded by the Bay Area Council, multiple applications were received from communities seeking to increase resilience to drought, floods, heatwaves and wildfires. Many of these entries were smart and creative, but too localized in scope to garner enough momentum to deliver the change they sought.

Defining current system conditions and developing a roadmap forward will enable us to think bigger and bundle these smart ideas into scalable solutions. Incorporating technologies to track conditions, and creating frameworks to measure success, will ensure that infrastructure systems are resilient now and into the future. ArchTam has developed similar metrics for the San Francisco Public Utility Commission’s water system improvement program and for Chicago’s Bronzeville Community Microgrid. In each case, in addition to financial and environmental factors, the model includes defined social benefits in the decision-making process. To speed up infrastructure investment on a local level, it’s imperative to create frameworks that can be scaled regionally and gain community support.

These new behaviors and perspectives on infrastructure modernization will serve our communities on many levels, including providing resilience, advancing sustainability and improving social and environmental equity. Now is the time to invest in bold, cohesive infrastructure modernization initiatives to sustain economic advancement for our communities – now and into the future.

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