Meeting/Event Information

Presentation Synopsis

Join us for an exciting presentation showcasing Arizona’s leadership in connected and emerging transportation technologies through the federal grant programs. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this national initiative supports cutting-edge innovations that enhance safety, mobility, and equity. Hear how the Arizona Commerce Authority and City of Phoenix, the two SMART Grant recipients in Arizona, are deploying technologies like connected vehicles, advanced traffic signal systems, and HAWK pedestrian detection. Learn about their powerful collaborations with ADOT, MCDOT, MAG, ASU, UA, HDR, CPLC, Verizon, Mobility Matrix, and others to improve regional safety, accessibility, environmental sustainability, and workforce development. You will also get insights into the Regional Connected Vehicle Strategic Plan developed by MAG and MCDOT’s Connected Vehicle Acceleration Zone (CVAZ) deployment funded through the USDOT V2X Accelerator Grant program. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how these programs are shaping the future of smart mobility for our beautiful state - Arizona!

Speakers Bio

Marisa Paula Walker is with the Arizona Commerce Authority, the state’s economic development organization.  She serves as the Executive Vice President for infrastructure and is also the Executive Director of the Institute of Advanced Mobility (IAM), a public-private consortium focused on the safety, science, and policy for next gen transportation. Her portfolio includes leading a USDOT SMART Grant on Connected Vehicles, serving as the administrator for the Arizona Space Commission and overseeing the state’s strategy for advanced air mobility.

David Lucas is the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program Manager at the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and has over 30 years of experience in the ITS field. He previously led the Traffic Technology Branch at the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), managed the City of Tempe’s TMC and ITS infrastructure as the ITS Network Engineer and led research into multiple ITS areas, including adaptive signal control, as a Research Engineer at both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. While at MCDOT, he formed a public-private partnership that was awarded one of three $20M USDOT Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment grants, bringing the first major V2X deployment to the Phoenix metro area.  In his current role, David oversees the MAG regional TSMO and ITS program, ITS Architecture, Traffic Signal Optimization Program and the deployment of new and emerging technologies in areas such as Connected Work Zones, Connected and Automated Vehicles, and Data Systems and Analytics. David currently serves as a Past President of the ITE Mountain District and is a Past President of ITS Arizona.

Dr. Sanjay Paul is the Principal of Mobility Matrix. He is a PE, a PTOE, a PTP, and an RSP. He is a past president of the ITS Arizona and currently serving as an Advisor to the Board of Directors. He is also the Mountain District membership committee chair for ITE. Sanjay also serves as a transportation commissioner for the City of Phoenix. Leveraging artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to improve safety and accessibility for the community is his passion. He has been recognized with the National Transportation Safety Council Award by ITE. Most importantly, Sanjay is a proud dad of two wonderful boys who hold black belts and play guitars.