ART will help advance recommendations to solving key transportation issues
Orlando, Fla. –The Orlando Economic Partnership (the Partnership) launched the new Alliance for Regional Transportation (ART) today during a kick-off event at the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Facility. ART’s purpose is to bring together a high-level group of transportation, business and community building stakeholders to serve the seven-county Orlando region through engagement, education and advocacy for appropriate public and private transportation projects. This body will focus on planning, infrastructure and technology supporting long-term economic growth and regional broad-based prosperity™.
“As we continue our rapid growth, and receive more visitors each year, it’s imperative that we stay focused on moving people across the region and across the street,” said Tracey Stockwell, the chair of ART’s Executive Committee and Leadership Council. “This isn’t a single sector issue.”
ART’s members will include representatives from local governments, regional planning agencies and chambers of commerce. Partners who implement and manage transportation solutions from FDOT Districts 1 and 5, the region’s airports, Space Florida, NASA, Port Canaveral, Lynx and other transit agencies, the Central Florida Expressway Authority and Turnpike Authority, SunRail and Brightline are also invited to join and contribute to ART’s mission.
“We are urbanizing and sprawling at a fairly significant rate and transportation planning for new developments and nodes of commerce throughout the region is critical,” said Jim Hartmann, who leads ART. “We are also in a very competitive funding environment for all the infrastructure required to support our growth, so we must define our own destiny with a great deal of collaboration, transparency and trust.”
The Orlando region, made up of seven counties and 86 cities, is home to more than 4.3 million people, with more than 1,000 new residents being added each week. By 2030, our population is projected to grow to 5.2 million people.
“We are aware of the trends like autonomous vehicles, advanced robotics and the Internet of Things,” said Partnership President and CEO Tim Giuliani. “All are disruptors in an economy that is quickly changing how we do business, how we interact and how we travel. Our vision is to embrace the coming changes, help plan how we will respond and take steps toward finding smart solutions.”
ART will provide additional educational sessions in the coming months, as it grows members, and will continue to serve as the convener, collaborator, and advocate for transportation solutions. Next steps include activating the second recommendation to create a committee to chart a path for financing future projects.