On April 20, 2023 the Illinois Section of ITE hosted a luncheon featuring a presentation by Charlotte Obodzinski from Pace Bus. Pace’s strategic plan, Driving Innovation, identified the implementation of the agency’s Rapid Transit Program as well as the transition to a zero-emissions fleet as some of its top priorities.
This presentation described how Pace is working towards these goals leveraging infrastructure and strategic planning. The luncheon had 40 people in attendance, and served as a great chance to network with othe tansportation professionals in the area. Special thanks to Jakob Boxberger, Jim Kane, and Sanjay Joshi on the Activities Committee for organizing the event.
Charlotte Obodzinski is an AICP certified planner and the Department Manager of the Priority Project Management Office at Pace Bus. Her department is responsible for overseeing the implementation of rapid transit services which includes Pulse, Pace’s bus rapid transit and express bus service on the region’s highways. She also oversees program management of the agency's capital program, including facility planning for Pace’s transition to a zero emissions fleet. She has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and has been with Pace for 15 years. She is currently serving as the Vice-Chair of the American Public Transportation Association’s Bus Rapid Transit Committee and is the Chair of the Bike and Pedestrian Commission in her hometown of Arlington Heights.
