Fixing a $1.4 Trillion Problem: Smarter Land Use for Safer Streets | Interview with Roger Millar

Currently serving as a strategic advisor, my expertise in transportation, land use, and the environment guides public, private, and not-for-profit organizations towards innovative and sustainable solutions. With a vision anchored in economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and access to opportunity, my efforts are modeled on successes like the Innovative DOT initiative, the National Complete Streets Coalition, the Portland Streetcar and the Glenwood Springs to Aspen Bus Rapid Transit system, setting benchmarks for mobility nationwide.

As the Secretary of Transportation at the Washington State Department of Transportation from 2016 to 2025, my leadership was defined by a commitment to resilience, sustainability, and teamwork, overseeing a $5 billion annual budget and a team of 7,600.

What you’ll learn:

• The importance of maintenance over expansion – Investing in existing infrastructure ensures reliability and public trust

• The hidden costs of congestion vs. crashes – While congestion is a well-known problem, crashes cost the economy significantly more, yet receive less funding and attention.

• Multimodal planning and transit-oriented development – Cities benefit from shifting away from car-centric development toward integrated land-use and transportation strategies that prioritise active travel modes

• Data-driven decision-making in transport – Effective advocacy requires facts that resonate with decision-makers and the public.