Description

Episode 48 of the Infrastructure Technology Podcast explores two sides of how technology is reshaping transportation: safety and accessibility.

The hosts first discuss the growing use of flock cameras and automated license plate readers, weighing their potential benefits for investigations and public safety against important concerns surrounding privacy, surveillance and data sharing.

The episode also features Brandon Lewis' interview with Dmitriy Vanchugov, chief revenue officer of Onward, about closing accessibility gaps in transportation. They discuss Onward's assisted, on-demand ride platform, its use of AI and text-based booking and how technology can help connect riders with more accessible transportation options. 

Dmitriy Vanchugov — Chief Revenue Officer, Onward

Dmitriy Vanchugov is the chief revenue officer at Onward, an assisted rideshare platform dedicated to connecting riders to the healthcare or economic and social opportunities they need. He brings deep experience building and scaling go-to-market organizations in high-growth environments, with a career rooted in transit and mobility. 

Before joining Onward, Vanchugov served as global head of transit at Uber, where he built and led the business across North America, Europe and Australia. Prior to Uber, he led enterprise software sales and consultant teams at Trapeze Group, a leading global provider of transit technology solutions. At Onward, Vanchugov leads the company's market expansion strategy, focusing on deepening partnerships across transit agencies, health systems, health plans and PACE programs. 

• How Flock cameras are being used to help law enforcement investigate crashes, hit-and-runs and other incidents, and why their growing use is raising privacy concerns.
• The balance between the safety and accountability benefits of camera networks and questions surrounding surveillance and data sharing.
• How Onward is creating a transportation option that fills the gap between traditional paratransit and rideshare services.
• Why accessible transportation remains a challenge for many wheelchair users and riders with other mobility needs.
• How Onward's text-based booking platform and AI assistant, Paige, make it easier for riders to schedule trips without relying on smartphone apps.
• The role AI can play in improving transportation accessibility through multilingual support and personalized rider assistance.
• Why thoughtful implementation of emerging technologies is critical to improving mobility, safety and accessibility while protecting privacy.

Episode Length: 30:27

Timestamps:

• 1:20 — Discussion on Flock cameras
• 7:52 — Mass Transit interview
• 22:15 — Interview takeaways

• Onward
• Roads & Bridges
• Mass Transit
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