Join BikePGH and the City of Pittsburgh on October 17, 2025
Join us for a day of discussions, speakers and breakouts highlighting the local and regional efforts to achieve zero deaths on our roadways.
We’ve still built out an engaging day of activities for you, while providing plenty of opportunities for networking.
Location– University of Pittsburgh
University Club 123 University Place University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA, 15213
Plenary and Breakout Sessions
Check out the full list of session and plenary descriptions – scroll for full timing and details!
PLENARIES
(Morning)Keynote: The Safe System Approach: Bringing Principles and Global Applications to Pittsburgh Pittsburgh is becoming part of a global movement to protect life on the roads! Keynote Speaker Claudia Adriazola-Steil joins us to share about her expertise in sustainable, multimodal transportation. As a worldwide leading expert in the safe system approach, Claudia will share principles and application on a global level, followed by a Q&A moderated by BikePGH Executive Director Scott Bricker to help ground these concepts locally and set the stage for the rest of the day.
(Lunch)How the State Shapes the City While transportation departments set policies, guidelines, and procedures, it is the legislative branch that sets the laws shaping what is possible on the ground. This session will explore the critical role of state and local government in enabling DOMI, PennDOT, and others to deliver a safe, efficient, and equitable transportation system. From granting permission for parking protected bike lanes, to expanding enforcement tools, to securing sustainable funding for transit and infrastructure, our panel will offer attendees an inside look at the process, priorities, and politics of the Commonwealth—and what they mean for Pittsburgh’s Vision Zero commitment. Speakers: DOMI Assistant Director Angie Martinez will host a panel discussion with State Senator Lindsey Williams (PA-38), State Representative (PA-21) Lindsay Powell, and Ngani Ndimbie Executive Policy Specialist PennDOT Central Office.
(Afternoon)The Future of Vision Zero The closing plenary session will convene leaders from across our transportation ecosystem, along with Keynote Speaker Claudia Adriazola-Steil, to share their insights and candidly discuss what they think it will take for the City and region to chart a realistic path towards Vision Zero over the next 10-20 years. Moderated by Geoff Webster of the Pittsburgh Futures Collaborative, panelists will demonstrate how, with leadership, vision, systems, and a dedication to breaking down silos, the path to zero harm is achievable. Speakers:Geoff Webster – Chair Pittsburgh Futures Collaborative,Jason Zang, PennDOT District 11 Executive; Mike Maloch, Municipal Traffic Engineer, DOMI;Lauren Connelly, Allegheny County Economic Development Director; Claudia Adriazola Steil, World Resources Institute; Lillian Gabreski Director of Transportation Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Morning)
State of Vision Zero & Safety in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region SPC, Allegheny County & the City of Pittsburgh will provide the current state of safety and upcoming initiatives focusing on Vision Zero and the Safe System Approach from their respective jurisdictions. Key takeaways include: statistics and trends, and upcoming and existing plans & policies within the region. Speakers:Evan Schoss,Manager, Transportation Operations and Safety, SPC; Meghan Sexton, Assistant Deputy Director, Allegheny County DPW; Ann Ogoreuc, Assistant Director, Mobility and Transportation Initiatives, Allegheny County; Panini Chowdhury, City of Pittsburgh DOMI; Barb Warwick Pittsburgh City Council Member.
Working with the Community to Get Things Done Working with community members can help build support for non-traditional ideas. Learn how some Pittsburgh advocates have helped deliver projects that not only improve safety, but also build trust. BikePGH will discuss the lessons learned after a two-year partnership with the City of Pittsburgh to rapidly implement the City’s 2020 Bike(+) Plan. Then, VeloAI, a local safety analytics firm with roots in the Autonomous Vehicle space, will discuss working with residents to test their Copilot bicycle radar device to track “near-misses” – a notoriously difficult dataset to collect. Finally, Lawrenceville Corporation will discuss their advocacy that will bring in additional road safety funds through the new Mobility Enhancement District, and how they plan to work with the community to use these new funds. Speakers:Scott Bricker, BikePGH Executive Director; Clark Haynes, Founder, CEO VeloAI; Kara Kimicata, Community Outreach Manager, Lawrenceville Corporation; Stephanie Kambic, AICP, Urban Mobility Analyst, Michael Baker International.
Liberty Avenue HSIP:A corridor case study in signal modernization, lane repurposing, and safer crossings A deep-dive presentation that will highlight DOMI’s Liberty Ave HSIP Project, slated for construction next year. The program will include upgrades and improvements for traffic signals, pedestrian safety, traffic safety, and transit access. Join project leaders to discuss how the proposed changes came to be and how it systems work together to increase safety for vehicles and pedestrians alike in the Strip District along Liberty Avenue from 11th Street to Herron Avenue. Speakers:Patricia Kerns, PE; Mike O’Connor, PE, PTOE.
Let’s go for a Walk (Audit)! (Mobile Session) Get some fresh air on a walk to explore Oakland from the perspective of a pedestrian! We’ll venture outside for a short, comfortable journey with a focus on what works and what could be improved for walking accessibility, safety, and comfort. We’ll also be showing off a new online tool to help “crowdsource” sidewalk conditions and help the City build up a robust dataset to better address resources for the building and repair of sidewalks. If it rains, you’ll hear even more about this. The route is mostly flat, all on paved surfaces with wheelchair-accessible sidewalks. Please arrive 5 minutes before the workshop start time. We will cap the group at 25 people. Speakers: Seth Bush, Advocacy Manager, BikePGH; Alisa Grishman, Director, Access Mob Pittsburgh; Geoff Leonard, Senior Planner, Transportation, DOMI.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Afternoon)
Introducing PennSTART: Pennsylvania Safety Transportation and Research Track Highlighting Pennsylvania’s new safety transportation and research track, PennStart is a leading hub for advancing transportation across key sectors: connected vehicles, traffic management and autonomous technologies. Director Peter Castelli will share how the test track is helping to set new standards in safety and efficiency in the Mid-Atlantic region. Speakers:Peter Castelli, Director of PennSTART; David DiGioia, Senior Engineer, RETTEW.
Fatal Crash Response Overview of the City’s fatal crash response team’s process. Panelists will discuss why the group was formed, the standard processes and timelines of each response, questions used at the site visits, and examples of responses in different areas of the City. Panelists will also discuss the different perspectives each department brings to the assessment and how the changes decided upon contribute to safer streets. Speakers: Ronald Wolfe, Detective, Collision Investigation Unit; Sean Stephens, Project Manager – Traffic, DOMI; Chris Belasco, Chief Data Officer for the City of Pittsburgh in the Department of Innovation and Performance; Jan Raether, Infrastructure Engagement Manager, Mayor’s Office; Stephanie Gagne, Management Analyst, Mayor’s Office; Paul Sabol, EMS Division Chief; Sarah Hershey, Office of Community Health & Safety.
Vision Zero as a Public Safety Issue Learn about the public safety process and involvement in supporting Vision Zero. This will be a panel discussion focused on the City’s emergency response, crash prevention, safety innovations, and the future of emergency services in Pittsburgh. Speakers:Lisa Frank, Chief Operating and Administrative Officer; Lee Schmidt, Director, Public Safety; Takeena White Assistant Director, Operations and Policy; Dr. Lenny Weiss, Medical Director City of Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Safety; Ray Rippole, Commander, Zone 6.
The Role of Curb Management & Automated Enforcement in Vision Zero Operationalizing new policies and technologies takes coordination and cooperation from multiple agencies and partners. Hear from DOMI and Parking Authority how they built new partnerships to advance policy goals, and how curb management plays an essential role in Vision Zero including existing findings from the City’s automated bike lane enforcement program. We will also talk about the future of Automated Enforcement including launching the city’s first Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Program. Speakers: Jodi Hart, CFO, Pittsburgh Parking Authority; Jordan Justus, CEO, Automotus; Rylan Seifert, Curbside Program Manager, DOMI; Erika Strassburger, Pittsburgh City Council.
Registration / Check In, Light breakfast + Networking
9:00am – 9:35am
Welcome and Opening Remarks – Ballroom A
9:30am – 10:35am
Ballroom A Keynote Speaker: Claudia Adriazola-Steil Sponsored by Michael Baker International Presentation + Q&A:The Safe System Approach: Principles and Application Globally
10:50am – 11:50am
Morning Breakout Sessions (choose 1)
State of Vision Zero & Safety in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region – Ballroom A
Working with the Community to Get Things Done – Conference Room A
Liberty Avenue HSIP: A corridor case study in signal modernization, lane repurposing, and safer crossings – Gold Room
Mobile Session: Let’s go for a Walk (Audit)! – Meet in Lobby
12:00pm – 1:30pm
Ballroom B Lunch and Plenary Session sponsored by AARP, AECOM, SPC Panel Discussion: How the State Shapes the City – Panel Discussion Featuring: State Representative Lindsay Powell, State Senator Lindsey Williams, City Councilperson Erika Strassburger, Ngani Ndimie – Exec Policy Specialist, PennDOT
1:40pm – 2:40pm
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Introducing PennSTART: Pennsylvania Safety Transportation and Research Track – Ballroom B
Pittsburgh Fatal Crash Response Team – Gold Room
Vision Zero as a Public Safety Issue – Conference Room A
The Role of Curb Management & Automated Enforcement in Vision Zero – Ballroom A
2:50pm – 3:50pm
Ballroom A Closing Plenary Session Sponsored by CDR Maguire Panel Discussion: The Future of Vision Zero Featuring: Jason Zang – District Executive @ PennDOT, Lillian Gabreski – Director of Transportation @ SPC, Lauren Byrne-Connelly, Economic Development Director @ Allegheny County, Mike Maloch – Municipal Traffic Engineer @ DOMI
3:50pm – 4:00pm
Closing Remarks
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Happy Hour Reception + Networking on the Rooftop Terrace Sponsored by Allegheny County
Breakout Session Panelist Bios
Chris Belasco
Senior Manager of Digital Services and Chief Data Officer, City of Pittsburgh
Chris Belasco is the Senior Manager of Digital Services and Chief Data Officer for the City of Pittsburgh in the Department of Innovation and Performance, where he manages analytic, data engineering, and software development efforts to improve City operations. He is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, where he teaches program evaluation. A 20-year resident of Bloomfield, he likes to cook, travel, cycle, and visit museums with his wife and two daughters.
Scott Bricker
Executive Director
BikePGH
Scott is the Executive Director of BikePGH, where he works to make the city’s streets safer and more welcoming for people on bikes and on foot. For more than 20 years, he’s been part of Pittsburgh’s transformation to become a better place to ride and walk. He believes safe, connected streets that prioritize biking and walking are the foundation of a stronger, healthier community.
Seth Bush
Advocacy Manager, BikePGH
Seth Bush is the Advocacy Manager at BikePGH where he coaches, trains, and resources leaders of neighborhood biking & walking advocacy groups or “bike/ped committees” across Allegheny County. Seth is a graduate of the America Walks Walking College Fellowship and a Professional Certified Coach for social change leaders with over 15 years of experience in grassroots organizing. When he’s not helping neighbors transform their streets, you can find Seth walking his dog around Swissvale, gardening, or watching Star Trek.
Peter Castelli
Director – PennSTART, RIDC
Peter is an engineering and operations leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and safety in the automotive, autonomous vehicle, and transportation industries. He currently serves as Director of PennSTART at the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC), where he leads the development of cutting-edge testing, training and research initiatives for transportation safety and innovation.
Panini A. Chowdhury
Senior Planning Manager, DOMI
Panini is a visionary transportation administrator with over 10 years of cross-sector experience advancing multimodal mobility, traffic safety, and equitable infrastructure development across local government, metropolitan planning organizations, and academia. He adepts at leading cross-functional teams and driving human centric policy transformations rooted in data and community engagement. His expertise is in transportation equity, long-range planning, corridor safety, and transit-first urban design. He is a proactive collaborator, strategic thinker, and advocate for accessible, sustainable cities.
David DiGioia
Senior Engineer, RETTEW
David is a Senior Engineer at RETTEW with more than 30 years of professional experience in program and project management, transportation and traffic engineering, civil design, and transportation planning. He has successfully managed complex infrastructure projects for PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and private sector clients, providing expertise in traffic signal design, crash data analysis, roadway design, and the development of construction plans, specifications, and estimates. Throughout his career, David has demonstrated strong leadership in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, advancing sustainable design practices, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. An active member of ASCE, ASHE, ITE, and ACEC/PA he has contributed significantly to advancing transportation policy and practice at both the state and regional levels.
Lisa Frank
Chief Operating and Administrative Officer, City of Pittsburgh
As Chief Operating and Administrative Officer for the city of Pittsburgh under Mayor Ed Gainey, Lisa Frank is responsible for helping residents imagine, build, and maintain a city where everyone can be safe and thrive. As Chief for eight of the city’s departments, including Public Safety, Public Works, and the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, her job is to drive operational excellence in core city services, while also advancing key initiatives in the areas of violence prevention, public health, housing, transportation, digital equity, and environmental justice.
Stephanie Gagne
Management Analyst, City of Pittsburgh
Stephanie Gagne currently serves as a Management Analyst for the City of Pittsburgh, where she manages the Mayor’s Vision Zero initiative. Prior to joining the City, she worked on various local political and advocacy campaigns. Gagne received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Alisa Grishman
Director, Access Mob Pittsburgh
Alisa Grishman is a disability activist and founder of Access Mob Pittsburgh, an advocacy group that utilizes positive approaches to making change, such as education and economic incentives. A self-described shameless agitator, Grishman has also been arrested multiple times fighting for disability rights with ADAPT, a national advocacy group. She sits on the board of directors of Pittsburghers for Public Transit and the Keystone Progress Education Fund. In her free time, Grishman enjoys knitting. She lives with two cats, Ruth Kitty Ginsburg and Edwin “Fuzz” Aldrin.
Jodi Hart is the CFO of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, overseeing all financial operations while supporting the Executive Director in achieving the Authority’s strategic goals. She serves on IPMI’s Technology and Education Committees. She also serves on the Government Finance Officers Association’s WPFN Programming and Education Committee. Jodi lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and three Golden Retrievers.
Clark Haynes
CEO, Velo AI
Clark Haynes, Ph.D., is the founder and CEO of Velo AI, building smart safety devices for bicyclists. A veteran of the robotics and autonomous vehicle industry, he previously led the Autonomy Prediction team at Uber ATG and directed development of CMU’s award-winning CHIMP robot. At Velo, Dr. Haynes has pioneered the use of AI-powered edge devices to collect actionable transportation safety data in collaboration with local communities. He holds multiple patents in autonomous systems and earned his Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute.
Sarah Hershey
Community Social Worker, Office of Community Health & Safety, City of Pittsburgh
Sarah has been a social worker with the City for two years. As a part of the Vision Zero Project, she provides additional support to individuals who witness traumatic crashes.
Jordan Justus
Chief Executive Officer, Automotus
Jordan is the Co-Founder & CEO of Automotus, a leading curb management company that works with cities and airports across North America. Automotus provides computer vision technology that helps tackle safety hazards, traffic, and conflict in the public right of way to make cities safer and more sustainable.
Stephanie Kambic
Urban Mobility Planner, Michael Baker International
Steph is a member of the Michael Baker team in Pittsburgh, PA and has a passion for transit and urban mobility. She is heavily involved in transit work for local agencies and has taken on a large role in service planning, public engagement, graphics creation, and route analysis. She has a background in GIS and enjoys using interactive mapping techniques such as storymaps and crowdsource tools to encourage public input in planning and to promote projects in a manner that is easy to understand. She has her Masters degree in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College.
Patty Kearns
Senior Project Manager, DOMI
Patty graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelors in Civil Engineering Technology in 2013. In 2022, she accepted a Project Manager position with the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) where she is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of approximately 615 signalized intersections. In her new position, she is able to focus on improvements that cater to all modes of transportation in the community she lives in.
Kara Kimicata
Community Outreach Manager, Lawrenceville Corporation
Kara Kimicata is the Community Outreach Manager at Lawrenceville Corporation. Kara has her Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Urban Affairs and Planning from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. At the Lawrenceville Corporation she focuses on development projects, community planning, infrastructure and mobility projects, and the Ice House Studios. Her research surrounds third places and how people gather to change their communities.
Geoff Leonard
Senior Transportation Planner, DOMI
Sr. Transportation Planner, Geoff Leonard, has worked for DOMI for 5 years. His work focuses on managing the City of Pittsburgh’s Complete Streets Advisory Group, GIS mapping, and outreach.
Mike O’Connor, PE, PTOE
Assistant Vice President, WSP
Mike O’Connor, PE, PTOE, is Assistant Vice President and Traffic & ITS Manager at WSP’s Pittsburgh office with over 25 years of experience in traffic engineering, safety studies, and intelligent transportation systems. He is the lead traffic engineer for the Liberty Avenue HSIP project, overseeing signal modernization, traffic control, lane repurposing, and multimodal upgrades to address one of Pittsburgh’s high-injury corridors. Mike has managed traffic design efforts across the city and region, including traffic signal replacements, work zone traffic control, and ITS deployments, with a focus on integrating safety, mobility, and constructability. As a parent of school-age children and a bike rider, he brings a community perspective to his professional work, serving on the Swissvale Active Transportation Committee to support safer, more accessible streets.
Ann Ogoreuc
Assistant Director, Mobility and Transportation Initiatives, Allegheny County Economic Development
Ann Ogoreuc, AICP is the Assistant Director of Mobility and Transportation Initiatives at Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED). At ACED, Ann provides planning and technical support to municipalities, community groups, and others for transportation projects and provides transportation planning support for County transportation initiatives. She works closely with the Allegheny County Department of Public Works, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, and PennDOT on the planning and programming of state and federally funded transportation projects.
Jan Raether
Infrastructure Engagement Manager, Mayor’s Office
Jan Raether serves as the Infrastructure Engagement Manager in the Mayor’s Office. He works with the Department of Public Works and Department of Mobility and Infrastructure to deliver projects that reflect community values and input by actively engaging with the people using that infrastructure. An avid gardener in his spare time, Jan lives in Pittsburgh’s hidden gem, the West End, with his wife, daughter, and two dogs.
Ray Rippole
Commander, Zone 6
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Ray Rippole serves as the Commander of Zone 6 in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
Paul A. Sabol
Division Chief, City of Pittsburgh, Bureau of EMS
I have been involved in emergency medical services since 1980 and have been working for the City of Pittsburgh, Bureau of EMS since 1983. I currently serve as the Ambulance Division Chief for the Bureau of EMS and have been involved in many safety projects throughout my career such as child passenger safety, bicycle safety, City of Pittsburgh Safety Committee, traffic incident management, and the Vision Zero Projects for both the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Citing an old proverb, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If engineering methods are used to prevent incidents, then that equates to long-term saving by reducing injuries and / or deaths.
Lee Schmidt
Director of Public Safety, City of Pittsburgh
Lee Schmidt is the Director of Public Safety for the City of Pittsburgh.
Evan Schoss
Manager, Transportation Operations and Safety, SPC
Evan Schoss, Manager of Transportation Operations and Safety Programs at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, specializes in making our region’s roadways safer for all users. Utilizing safety planning tools and studies, our team at SPC aims to identify areas where we can make an impact.
Rylan Seifert
Curbside Program Manager, DOMI
Rylan is the Curbside Manager for the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. He manages DOMI’s curbside team, whose portfolio of work includes everything from bus shelters and micromobility programs to permit parking, loading zones, and automated enforcement. Rylan brings over five years of experience in urban planning and transportation policy and has a Bachelor Degree in Political Science and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
Meghan M. Sexton
Assistant Deputy Director, Department of Public Works, Allegheny County
Meghan Sexton, P.E., PTOE, is the Assistant Deputy Director of the Roadway and Geotechnical Divisions at the Allegheny Department of Public Works, where she oversees engineering, design, and key infrastructure programs. She also leads or supports initiatives such as MS4 compliance, highway occupancy permits, and project planning. Meghan previously held roles in traffic and design engineering before joining Public Works in 2018. She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering Technology, an M.S. in Engineering Management, and is a licensed Professional Engineer and Professional Traffic Operations Engineer.
Sean Stephens
Project Manager – Traffic, DOMI
Sean Stephens is a Project Manager with the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure managing Vision Zero Implementation with a focus on intersection safety and traffic calming. In this role, Sean is responsible for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program which aims to increase the safety and comfort of people travelling by all modes through a neighborhood. Sean also works on traffic safety design solutions which include Safe Routes to School, High Injury Network corridors, and bicycle connections. He works closely with other City agencies, transit partners, and community stakeholders to identify, design, and implement safety improvement projects that support safer, more accessible and equitable transportation choices for everyone.
Erika Strassburger
Councilmember
City of Pittsburgh, D-8
Erika Strassburger is a member of Pittsburgh City Council, proudly serving the residents of the City’s 8th District. Erika has been an outspoken advocate for policies promoting clean water and air, equitable and diverse communities, safe and complete streets, and transparent and responsive government. More than anything, she wants everyone in Pittsburgh to thrive.
Barb Warwick
Councilperson, City of Pittsburgh
Barb Warwick has represented District 5 on Pittsburgh City Council since December 2022. In March 2024, in partnership with Mayor Ed Gainey and the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, she introduced the legislation formally committing Pittsburgh to the goals of Vision Zero.
Leonard Weiss, MD
Medical Director, City of Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Safety
Dr. Weiss serves as the Medical Director for Pittsburgh Public Safety, overseeing medical care in the Bureaus of EMS, Fire, and Police. He also serves as the Medical Director for Allegheny County Emergency Services and 911 Communications. Dr. Weiss has a passion for technology and findings ways to implement in order to save lives and prevent or treat illness and injuries.
Takeena White
Assistant Director of Public Safety, City of Pittsburgh
Takeena White is the Assistant Director of Public Safety for the City of Pittsburgh. Takeena earned a Bachelor of Science from Virginia State University majoring in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science with a specialization in Public Service Leadership from Capella University. In 2010, Takeena began her law enforcement career policing in the National Capital Region.
Ronald Wolfe
Detective, Collision Investigation Unit, City of Pittsburgh
Detective Ronald Wolfe has been with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for 31 years and has been assigned to the Traffic Unit for the last 20 years. He is currently the Team Leader for the Bureau’s Collision Investigation Unit. Detective Wolfe brings a breadth of experience, investigating over 1,500 fatal, critical injury, and property damage crashes throughout the course of his career. He is one of only 1,500 accredited reconstructionists in the United States, as designated by the Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction. Detective Wolfe is deeply committed to the enforcement of impaired driving laws and was the first Police Bureau officer to be trained as a Drug Recognition Expert to combat the growing trend of drug-impaired drivers. Both Criminal and Civil Courts have recognized him as an expert in the fields of Crash Reconstruction and Impaired Driving.
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