Meeting_Body
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
APRIL 15, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: MILANO CORTINA 2026 WINTER GAMES LESSONS LEARNED
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE ORAL REPORT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE oral report on Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games Lessons Learned.
Issue
ISSUE
Three Metro staff participated in the official observer program at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. A summary of their observations will be presented to the Board
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Equity remains a foundational principle guiding transportation planning and operations for major sporting events in Los Angeles, including preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Observations from recent international events, including the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and planning for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, highlighted accessibility challenges that can disproportionately impact individuals with disabilities and others with mobility limitations.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
Vehicles Miles Traveled (VMT) and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. In Milan, Metro observed wayfinding improvements, expanded transit services, and augmented staffing to support Games-time operations, among other findings. These interventions make transit faster, easier, and more enjoyable to ride, which encourage a shift away from personal vehicles, therefore reducing VMT. Metro’s observations from Milano Cortina will aid in agency preparations for the 2028 Games, supporting continued reductions in VMT within Los Angeles County.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Daniel Bernstein, Senior Manager, (213) 922-4135
Kasey Shuda, Senior Director, (213) 454-6479
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Seleta Reynolds, Chief, Innovation and Games Mobility Planning, (213)
922-4656
Bill Scott, Chief of Police and Emergency Management, (213) 922-5448
Charles Small, Senior Advisor to the CEO, (213) 615-9390
