We are pleased to announce the release of a new podcast series that provides a student perspective on METRANS Research Seminars and other events and transportation news of particular interest to students. Arnold Valdez, METRANS 2015 Student of the Year and second-year Master of Planning candidate at USC, created the podcast series with the assistance of host Rodd Amos. The podcasts feature students who offer their perspectives and key takeaways from the featured news and events.

In the first podcast, “Planning and Social Media: A Case Study of Transit Stigma and Twitter,” Amos speaks with Valdez about the METRANS Research Seminar with Lisa Schweitzer, an Associate Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. The two discuss highlights of Schweitzer’s presentation on the ways planners can use social media and, in particular, how transit agencies can use Twitter to reduce transit stigma.

In the second podcast, “Travel Behavior of Millennials,” Lynn Feng, a second-year MPL student with a concentration in Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, sits down with Amos to discuss the METRANS Research Seminar presented by Evelyn Blumenberg, Professor and Chair of Urban Planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. The two talk about some of the highlights of Blumenberg’s study on the travel behavior of millennials and how changes in their commuting habits will alter the face of transportation.

In the most recent podcast, “Great Streets Initiative,” Arpita Sharma, a second-year dual Master of Public Policy and Master of Planning candidate with a concentration in economic development speaks with Amos about the METRANS Research Seminar featuring Seleta Reynolds, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. The two discuss the six criteria Reynolds uses to evaluate streets, and how the Mayor’s Office is spearheading a campaign to improve these features.

To listen to the podcast series, click here.

Arpita Sharma

Arpita Sharma is a dual Master of Public Policy and Master of Planning Candidate at the USC Price School. She is interested in issues of health inequities, sustainable land use development and active transportation. She expects to complete her degrees in May 2017. She can be reached at arpitasharma.net or at [email protected].