What if we could fix traffic, improve safety, and build better cities using smarter policies instead of just more concrete? In this powerful episode, host Daniel Perez is joined by Michael Replogle, a veteran of transportation policy, to explore the innovative solutions that are reshaping our urban landscapes.
Michael draws from his experience as a former NYC DOT Deputy Commissioner to reveal how government can actually get out of its own way to foster rapid innovation. He breaks down the success of programs like Citi Bike and explains how SmartGO is pioneering market-based ideas like pay-by-the-mile insurance to give people better, more sustainable travel choices. This episode is packed with game-changing ideas for leaders, policy-makers, and anyone passionate about the future of our cities.
In This Episode, you will learn:
How NYC turned a 2-year permit process into an overnight success story
The secret to a successful public-private partnership that doesn't cost taxpayers
A powerful economic tool that reduces driving by 10%
Why building more roads doesn't solve traffic congestion
The real safety challenges facing autonomous vehicles today
Episode Highlights:
How NYC turned a 2-year permit process into an overnight success storyMichael shares the inside story of the "Open Restaurants" program, where the city radically simplified a two-year permitting process during the pandemic. This single move allowed 10,000 restaurants to quickly open for outdoor dining, saving an estimated 100,000 jobs.
The secret to a successful public-private partnership that doesn't cost taxpayersDiscover the brilliant model behind NYC's Citi Bike program, which has grown to 40,000 bikes without using taxpayer money. Michael explains how the city provides the public space and regulatory framework, while a private partner funds and operates the entire system.
A powerful economic tool that reduces driving by 10%Michael introduces the concept of pay-by-the-mile car insurance, a simple market-based solution with a profound impact. Learn how turning a fixed annual cost into a variable per-mile expense incentivizes smarter travel choices and has been proven to reduce driving by an average of 10%.
Why building more roads doesn't solve traffic congestionMichael debunks the myth that widening highways is the answer to traffic jams by explaining the principle of "induced demand." He argues that the key is not building more capacity, but better managing the space we already have and giving people viable alternatives to driving.
The real safety challenges facing autonomous vehicles todayGet a grounded, safety-first perspective on the current state of autonomous vehicles that moves beyond the hype. Michael explains why AVs still struggle with unpredictable "edge conditions" like construction zones, bad weather, and emergency situations, which are the final hurdles to widespread, safe deployment.
Resources Mentioned:
Book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
Book/Concept: Behavioral Engineering by B.F. Skinner
Non-Profit: Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP)
Program: Bikes Not Bombs
About the Guest
Michael Replogle is a distinguished expert in transportation policy and urban planning, currently serving as the President of SmartGO, a non-profit dedicated to expanding sustainable travel choices. His extensive career includes six years as the Deputy Commissioner for Policy at the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), where he was instrumental in shaping the city's mobility landscape and advancing key initiatives like the Citi Bike program. A serial entrepreneur in the non-profit sector, Michael also founded the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and has worked with governments and organizations globally to create more efficient, equitable, and environmentally friendly transportation systems.