Pitchfest: Philly Transportation

Pitchfest: Philly Transportation is an inaugural event connecting transportation agencies with UPenn researchers on applied projects.
About this Event

What is Pitchfest: Philly Transportation?

Pitchfest: Philly Transportation is an inaugural event co-hosted by the Transportation Initiative at Penn (TRIP), a hub for research, innovation, and real-world solutions in transportation housed in the Institute for Urban Research at the University of Pennsylvania. The event is designed to connect transportation-focused public agencies with faculty and staff at the University of Pennsylvania to collaborate on applied research projects.

On October 29th, agency staff are invited to give low-stakes, two-minute pitches on short-term, high-impact projects that could benefit from external expert support. After the event, the Pitchfest team works to “match” agencies with faculty and staff—and we have funding available to support eligible matches and projects. If you are a staff member at a transportation-focused public agency or faculty or staff at the University of Pennsylvania, register to secure your spot at the event, in person or virtually. An agenda and full list of agency pitches will be published by October 16th.

What is the history of the Pitchfest?

U.S. cities are home to some of the world’s top research universities, but public agencies often do not have an easy way of tapping into that expertise. The Pitchfest aims to close that gap, harnessing the talent of local experts to help public agencies implement more effective and evidence-based programs and policies.

Pilot City has been supporting local partners in co-hosting versions of the Pitchfest since 2024. In total, more than 40 government agencies and more than 500 local experts have participated, and Pilot City has matched those experts to more than 50 projects. This is the first year of Pitchfest: Philly Transportation.

TRIP actively engages students, faculty, transportation agencies, and private partners in research and pilot projects. By partnering with Pilot City, TRIP will surface a broader set of opportunities for collaboration with public agencies.

How can I participate in the Pitchfest?

Register here to attend Pitchfest: Philly Transportation. The event is free and open to staff at transportation-focused public agencies and to faculty and staff at the University of Pennsylvania. The event will be held on October 29th in the Widner Auditorium at the Penn Museum, located 3260 South Street in Philadelphia.

Transportation-Focused Public Agency Staff

If you are a staff member at a transportation-focused public agency who would like to pitch a project, submit a pitch using the one-slide template here via email to [email protected] by October 2nd. You will receive confirmation by October 16th that your pitch will be included in the event.

Please consult the template for examples of effective pitches. It is okay if your project is just in the idea phase: This is a bottom-up process intended to encourage staff to share in a low-risk environment. Pitching does not commit you to following through on the project.

University of Pennsylvania Faculty and Staff

University of Pennsylvania faculty and staff researchers are encouraged to attend the event and explore collaborative opportunities with participating public agencies. Following the event, we will circulate an interest form where you can specify projects that align with your expertise and describe your relevant research background. Submissions will be reviewed by agency staff, who will initiate contact if there is a mutual interest in collaboration.

Once a match is made, faculty and staff researchers may work with their agency partners to apply for up to [$] in funding to support their shared project visions. For more information on how funding decisions are made, see the section below.

What types of projects are in-scope?

Projects are intended to support current or future public agency programs, policies, or operations. Projects can take many forms, but all must demonstrate meaningful outcomes within a six-month time frame. Below are categories and examples of past projects that were successfully matched through a Pitchfest:

Evidence & Evaluation

Amass evidence and develop an evaluation methodology for current government interventions. These projects involve defining success metrics, conducting impact analyses (e.g., randomized controlled trials), and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

Experimentation & Discovery

Conduct experiments and generate insights for potential future government interventions. These projects prioritize learning-by-doing, and they de-risk agency innovation efforts by generating insights on which interventions work and under what conditions.

Digital Tool Design & Prototyping

Build and prototype new tools, interfaces, or other digital assets that improve how agencies deliver services and/or support residents. These projects emphasize user-centered design and creation of tangible products that can be tested and scaled.

Data Analysis & Visualization

Process, analyze, and model data to inform agency decisions. These projects leverage advanced analytics and/or artificial intelligence to identify patterns, forecast outcomes, and translate data into clear insights that support agency strategy and operations.

Process & Workflow Improvement

Optimize internal processes to improve agency efficiency or effectiveness. These projects identify bottlenecks, redesign workflows, and/or pilot new processes that enable agencies to work more effectively, often with measurable improvements in time, cost, or quality.

How does matchmaking work?

See our web page here for a visual that explains this process in more detail.

How are funding decisions made?

Funding decisions will be made by a judging panel composed of our agency and philanthropic partners. Funding applications are jointly submitted by an agency staff member and university faculty member. Each project is then evaluated for funding based on the degree to which it fulfills the following criteria:

• Addresses a priority need for a transportation-focused public agency, with clearly defined outcomes.
• Includes a sound methodology that is likely to lead to credible findings.
• Is likely to influence an agency's programs, policies, or operations in the near term.
• Is likely to produce novel findings of interest to cities and researchers beyond the agency.
• Commits to securing a letter of support from an agency’s Commissioner or equivalent before funding is disbursed.

What are examples of past projects?

Expanding Open Streets for Neighborhood Schools

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the Open Streets program during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing schools to use the street in front of their building to offer safe outdoor spaces for recess, outdoor learning, lunch, and safe pick-ups and drop-offs. Even with growth, it services only a fraction of NYC's 1,700+ public schools. Dr. Michael Cassidy, a professor at Mount Sinai, is working with DOT to evaluate the health and educational effects of the program, which may support the case for future expansion.‍

Automating Bike Lane Inspection

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts regular assessments of pavement conditions utilizing a manual inspection process, but the implementation of over 250 miles of protected bike lanes has made inspection more complex, as views are blocked by parked cars or concrete barriers. Dr. Kaan Ozbay and Dr. Jingqin Gao from New York University developed and deployed a vision-based deep learning model using cameras, GPS, and accelerometers to automatically assess pavement conditions. Now DOT is exploring issuing a procurement for a commercial solution, informed by the results of this pilot.‍

What if I have more questions?

If you still have questions about Pitchfest: Philly Transportation, please contact us at [email protected]. More information about the Pilot City program and its Pitchfest events can be found on Pilot City’s home page here. Public agency staff may also schedule a 15-minute meeting with the Pitchfest team to ask any questions here.

Agenda

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Networking (Optional)

Info: Enjoy a light breakfast, and mix and mingle with agency staff and University of Pennsylvania staff and faculty.

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Introduction

Info: Hear opening remarks, an explanation of the Pitchfest process, and a preview of the morning.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Pitches

Info: Hear pitches from transportation agency staff. A full list of pitches will be published by October 16th.

🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Next Steps

Info: Hear closing remarks and next steps.

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Networking

Info: Hang around to meet with agency staff and University of Pennsylvania faculty.