Lessons in Leading Mission-Based Innovation in Transportation

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Check-in and Reception

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Program

RSVP required for admittance. Admission is free, but registration is required for each attendee.

• Robert Hampshire, Associate Professor of Public Policy, University of Michigan (featured speaker)

• Ann E. Carlson, Faculty Director, Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment (moderator)

During this session, Robert Hampshire will share several in-depth case studies of national significance on the role of innovation in roadway safety, aviation safety, supply chain disruptions, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) drones. Based on firsthand experiences from leading the US Department of Transportation research and technology enterprise, he will highlight the role that a mission-focused approach to innovation can play in addressing some of our most important societal challenges. In order to eliminate transportation fatalities, pollution and carbon emissions, and to serve all travelers, a collaborative multi-stakeholder, multi-industry approach is required. They took this approach during his time as a political appointee and senior leader in the US Department of Transportation during the Biden-Harris administration.

On January 20, 2021, Hampshire was sworn in and performed the duties of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the United

States Department of Transportation, and served as the department's Chief Science Officer, becoming the first to fill the role in over 40 years.

In this role he led the $2B research and technology portfolio of USDOT and agenda across all modes of transportation. His office included the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Cambridge, MA), Transportation Safety Institute (Oklahoma City, OK), Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office, the SMART grant program, University Transportation Centers grant program , Advanced Research Projects Agency for Infrastructure (ARPA-I), Climate Change Center, Office of Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) and Spectrum management, ant the Highly Automated Safe System Center of Excellence (HASS COE).

On Jan 21, 2025, Hampshire returned to his faculty position at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. His research applies a blend of public policy, operations research, data science, and systems approaches to analyze novel transportation systems such as smart parking, connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, ride-hailing, bike sharing, car sharing, as well as, pedestrian and bicyclist safety. His research focuses on environmental impacts, equity, and access to opportunities. His work has been cited widely, and covered by major press outlets. He has worked extensively with both public and private sector partners worldwide. He has also been a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University and a visiting professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Hampshire received a PhD in operations research and financial engineering from Princeton University.

• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
• Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines - "Big Blue Bus"
• Culver City Municipal Bus Lines
• LADOT Commuter Express
• Antelope Valley Transit Authority
• Santa Clarita Transit
• Metrolink (Commuter Trains)
• LAX Transportation Services

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Direction: From the 405 freeway, exit on Wilshire Boulevard East. Turn left on Westwood. Proceed north onto the UCLA campus.

Parking: The nearest parking to the venue is LOT 7. You may purchase a parking permit through the Bruin ePermit system and at self-service pay stations. An all day pass currently costs $16 per vehicle and $5 per vehicles with handicapped placard.

For more information, please visit UCLA Parking Rates and Fees.

The UCLA Luskin Lecture Series enhances public discourse on topics relevant to the betterment of society. The Series features renowned public intellectuals, bringing together scholars as well as national and local leaders to address society’s most pressing problems. Lectures encourage interactive, lively discourse across traditional divides between the worlds of research, policy and practice. The Series demonstrates UCLA Luskin’s commitment to encouraging innovative breakthroughs and creative solutions to formidable public policy challenges.

The UCLA Institute of Transportation's Wachs Lecture Series draws innovative thinkers to the University of California to address today’s most pressing issues in transportation. Created by students to honor Professor Martin Wachs upon his retirement from the University, the lecture rotates between Berkeley and UCLA, the campuses at which Marty taught. He passed away April 12, 2021.

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The Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

James West Alumni Center, Founder's Room, 325 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, United States