Sessions include tackling traffic and congestion across Tennessee, with a focus on innovation and development of new, sustainable mobility solutions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At a time when the Volunteer State is experiencing rapid growth, transportation leaders and innovators will gather to discuss solutions to help mitigate traffic and congestion and reduce emissions while working together to bolster the state’s position as a top recruiter of business and industry.
The second Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo will take place Dec. 5-6 at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville. The expo, hosted by TennSMART in partnership with the State of Tennessee and Tennessee Clean Fuels, will feature an exhibition hall showcasing the latest innovations in transportation across the Volunteer State, including a mock airplane designed and built by Whisper Aero, a fast-growing startup company headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee.
Sessions will focus on how leaders at every level of industry and government, from municipal to federal, are working together to safely develop and deploy transportation solutions that will enhance quality of life for Tennesseans. Speakers and panels will cover transportation electrification, tools and platforms available to test new technologies, statewide emission reduction strategies, medium- and heavy-duty fleet electrification, workforce development to support emerging jobs, rural connectivity and more.
The expo will also explore how Tennessee is actively working to maintain its position as an automotive manufacturing giant and generator of smart mobility solutions. And, by popular demand, attendees will once again have the opportunity to take electric vehicles for a spin around an indoor test track facilitated by Drive Electric Tennessee. The full agenda is available at the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo website.
This year’s event is chaired by Deputy Governor and Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Butch Eley, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers.
“At the Department of Transportation, we recognize that the future depends on our investment in new technologies,” said Deputy Governor and Commissioner Eley. “Events like the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo are a great way to learn about the latest technology and connect public and private partners who can work together to implement these solutions for safer, more efficient transportation across our state.”
“The State of Tennessee is invested in furthering our state’s footprint in transportation research and development. Issues surrounding mobility and transportation touch so many industries in Tennessee, from vehicle manufacturing to renewable energy to logistics,” said Commissioner McWhorter. “The Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo brings together the robust ecosystem of stakeholders who are committed to making Tennessee a leader in this sector and provides important connections that will drive development and innovation.”
“TDEC’s mission of creating a cleaner, safer environment is supported by the growth of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies — transportation solutions that reduce emissions, improve air quality, and decrease energy costs,” said Commissioner Salyers. “The expo will be an excellent opportunity to hear from researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers about current initiatives and recent achievements in transportation and mobility. We are very excited to partner with TennSMART on this year’s joint event.”
Sponsors include the State of Tennessee, FedEx, Nissan Americas, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the University of Tennessee System, Vanderbilt University, EY, Baker Donelson, Gresham Smith, Launch Tennessee, Kiewit, AAA, EPB, HNTB, HDR and Whisper Aero. This event is open to the public. Tickets are available for purchase via the Expo website.
About TennSMART
TennSMART is a public-private consortium encompassing a growing number of organizations working together to assess, develop and deploy new intelligent mobility innovations that could change how America transports people and goods. The consortium serves as a forum for organizations to share knowledge and leverage resources related to connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, cybersecurity, freight efficiency, and multi-modal commuting. TennSMART members also engage governments, academic institutions and industry about the importance of investment in smart mobility technologies and their role in job creation, as well as position Tennessee as a model for other states. For more information, visit www.tennsmart.org.
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