Gridlocked | LiveWire

Gridlocked

Driving solutions to our region's traffic jams

October 29, 2015, 6:30 PM, Kane Hall

The success of the Seattle Times LiveWire event series continued with “Gridlocked: Driving solutions to our region’s traffic jams,” an enlightening discussion about how to tackle traffic woes in the Puget Sound region and keep people and commerce moving forward. Local and national experts shared specific challenges and ideas for solutions to turn our transportation problem around.

This event has passed

Event Navigation

Event Video

Media Coverage

Solving Seattle’s gridlock puzzle: 4 experts weigh in

On the Scene: ‘Gridlocked’ LiveWire event takes on traffic in Seattle

Event Gallery

A panel of experts discusses possible solutions to the Puget Sound region’s traffic jam (l to r: moderator Thanh Tan, Jarrett Walker, Bryan Mistele, Mark Hallenbeck and Scott Kubly).

Image gallery

In welcome remarks, Michael Bragg, Frank & Julie Jungers dean of engineering at the University of Washington, acknowledged the challenges of Seattle’s rapid population growth. “I’m one of those additional people causing these problems,” he quipped.

Image gallery

Brad Smith, Microsoft president & chief legal officer, noted that 42 percent of Microsoft employees carpool or ride the Connector bus, yet 100 percent live with congestion.

Image gallery

Panelist Jarrett Walker used humor to illustrate our regional predicament: “If you live in West Seattle, and your girlfriend lives in Ballard, you either move in together or you break up.”

Image gallery

Seattle Times Multimedia Editorial Writer Thanh Tan moderates a lively discussion.

Image gallery

Irene Plenefisch, government affairs director at Microsoft, and Harold Taniguchi, director of King County Department of Transportation, at the pre-event reception.

Image gallery

Mike Kent, the urban planner leading Melrose Promenade, chats with Bob Pishue, director of the Coles Center for transportation at Washington Policy Center.

Image gallery

Terri Butler, assistant director of the Health Innovation Challenge, Foster School of Business Buerk Center at the UW, and Mike Stewart, executive director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce.

Image gallery

The fourth event in the LiveWire series drew an engaged audience to UW’s Kane Hall.

Image gallery

Panelist Bryan Mistele discussed how Los Angeles achieved a 10 percent decrease in congestion by doing nothing other than retiming traffic signals.

Image gallery

Traffic is everyone’s issue, as evidenced by the packed, diverse crowd that came to hear ideas for solutions.

Image gallery

At a pre-event reception, Microsoft Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Steve Crown said, “There is funding,” referring to the record-breaking transportation package passed in Olympia.

Image gallery

Norm Arkans, UW associate vice president, media relations and communications, talks with Irene Plenefisch, Microsoft government affairs director, and Brad Smith, Microsoft president and chief legal officer, at a pre-event reception.

Image gallery

Panelist Scott Kubly noted that downtown traffic lights are being retimed for the first time in decades.

Image gallery

Mark Hallenbeck noted that land use plans and transit plans have to happen concurrently to succeed regionally.

Image gallery

Seattle Times Publisher Frank Blethen talks with panelists Scott Kubly and Jarrett Walker at a pre-event reception.

Image gallery

Event Speakers

Sponsors

Major Sponsor

Event Sponsor

Event Sponsor