Tuesday, October 2 2007

7:30 p.m.

The O'Hare Modernization Project
Rosemarie Andolino, OMP Executive Director

Ms. Andolino described the OMP in terms of progress thus far, hurdles overcome, and plans for completion.

Wednesday, October 3 2007

8:00 a.m.

Call to Order
Justin Zubrod
Chairman
Business Advisory Committee

Transportation Center Report
Joseph Schofer
Interim Director
The Transportation Center

Welcome
Julio Ottino
Dean
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Dean Ottino illustrated his vision of innovation and interdisciplinarity for McCormick's future. He highlighted a new program that builds biotechnology innovation-focused student teams across McCormick, Kellogg, the law school and the medical school.

On arriving at Northwestern: Research Agenda
Hani Mahmassani
William A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation

8:40 a.m.

New Members Forum – Introduction of new BAC members

Panama Canal Expansion - Mega Infrastructure
Rodolfo Sabonge
Vice President, Office of Research & Market Analysis
Panama Canal Authority (ACP)

The Panama Canal plays a critical role in worldwide shipping, especially for ships bound for the United States' eastern seaboard. The expansion currently underway should meet projected demand growth for the next fifty years and beyond.

9:50 a.m.

A la Carte Pricing in the Airline Industry
Montie Brewer
President and CEO
Air Canada

Air Canada uses an innovative pricing strategy to compete with low-cost carriers. The approach is similar to Dell's method of specifying customized computers online, with multiple upgrade options each carrying a small price tag. The key is transparency, which builds trust. The strategy has been successful in building revenue and recapturing market share.

Congestion Pricing: Yield Management at Carry Transit
Mark Daskin
Walter Murphy Professor of Industrial Engineering and Mangagement Science

A team of researchers at Northwestern is working with Carry Transit, a food product distributor, to identify the potential savings from encouraging customers to schedule shipments at non-peak times. Analysis indicates that flexibility in delivery and pick-up times could yield a fleet size reduction of as much as 40%.

10:50 a.m.

Panel: Capacity/Congestion/Infrastructure: The Role of Public-Private Partnerships

Moderator:

Joseph Schofer, Interim Director of the Transportation Center

Panel:

The Heartland Corridor & Crescent Corridor
Rob Martinez
VP for Business Development
Norfolk Southern

Rob described Norfolk Southern's experience in implementing two P3 projects.

Privatizing Toll Roads - Risks and Benefits
Ray Ellis
Managing Director
DMJM Harris

Ray, a long-time consultant in highway construction management and planning, offers his projections and caveats for the future of P3 highway projects.

The Economics and Politics of Constrained Capacity
Linda Morgan
Chair
Transportation Practice and Covington & Burling

Linda synthesized the discussions, concluding by emphasizing that although the economic case for P3s may be clear, the political case is less so.

12:15 p.m.

Closing Remarks

12:20 p.m

Introduction of Transportation Students

12:30 p.m.

Informal Buffet Luncheon with Transportation Students