Feb. 25, 2025
Beneetta Mary Jose isn't afraid to think big. The transportation planner at Fehr & Peers, who serves on the American Planning Association's Student Representatives Executive Council and is the liaison to the AICP Commission, is passionate about youth in planning and resilience. She was named Student Planner of the Year by APA Florida in 2023. As part of the Trend Talks series, Jose describes building sustainable systems for all ages, the benefits and challenges of micromobility, and more.
This conversation with Joseph DeAngelis, AICP, research manager at APA, was originally published in the 2025 Trend Report for Planners, and has been edited for clarity and length. You can listen to the complete discussion at planning.org/podcast.
JOE DEANGELIS: What do you see as major emerging trends in transportation?
BENEETTA MARY JOSE: One of the most exciting trends right now is micromobility. E-scooters, bike sharing, cargo bikes — you name it, they are making waves, especially in urban areas. Cities are putting real effort into integrating these options into traditional transit networks, making it easier to switch from a bus to a bike or scooter to get that first mile to last mile connectivity. It's a major step toward flexible, user-centered transportation that's efficient and sustainable.
Beneetta Mary Jose is a transportation planner at Fehr & Peers. Illustration by Rebecca Clarke.
But there's a flip side to it, as well. The reality is, without safe and accessible infrastructure, these options are inequitable. Rising traffic deaths and a lack of protective infrastructure highlight how essential it is for planners to focus on designing safer streets and bridging that gap between underserved populations and infrastructure.
Another fascinating thing is electrification. Electric vehicles are taking center stage across all modes of transportation, from cars to buses to delivery trucks, and even planes. We're seeing policies shift to accommodate the infrastructure change and a potential rethinking of gas taxation as mileage taxation.
I believe this movement is bigger than just transportation. It's about public health, clean air, and creating cities where people can thrive. These trends reflect a future where transportation is not just about moving people — it's about fostering community, equity, and resilience in every journey we take.
DEANGELIS: From your perspective, what are emerging transportation planners' interests and priorities?
JOSE: For us, transportation is not just about getting from point A to point B — it's about building the communities and creating systems that serve people better and more equitably, with the smallest footprints on our planet.
What excites me most is how collaborative and innovative this field is right now. Young planners have a real commitment to listen, engage, and make things happen in partnership with the communities we serve. We are not afraid to think big and make bold decisions. There's a lot of work ahead, but we can do it.
DEANGELIS: How are transportation planners incorporating the viewpoints of children and youth?
JOSE: This is a topic I can talk about for hours and hours and never get bored. Traditionally, planning transportation systems are designed with adults in mind. But, as planners, we recognize the importance of having a safer, more accessible, and more inclusive environment for all age groups, from small kids to working professionals to older adults.
Recently, I held a community meeting where we had different alternatives for a particular road, and then we did public outreach. Kids from 8 to 12 years of age would come in and put so many sticky notes on certain alternatives they preferred. I asked them, "Why do you think this alternative is better than the other one?" And they said, "We need proper bike lanes. We need sidewalks."
Youth today are also very digitally active. Planners are finding ways to integrate tech solutions within transportation, so children have the tools to get from one place to another, and their parents feel safe sending them out alone. Another hot topic right now is reducing vehicle size. We've seen so many cases where drivers are hitting small children because they simply can't see them, and we're starting to see policy changes to address this.
DEANGELIS: As an emerging professional, what is your vision for transportation 20 years from now?
JOSE: I see a future transportation system that's much more seamlessly integrated, highly affordable, more sustainable, and highly reliable. I love streets that are taken over by people. Everything is accessible by foot or by biking or other transportation modes. Everything is within 15 minutes of your house. I see that our future is bright, and I'm eager to help shape it.
This content is part of the APA Trend Talks series, created in collaboration with the 2025 Trend Report for Planners. The report features more than 100 trends identified by the APA Foresight team, while the monthly Trend Talks series provides additional insights to help planners navigate and shape the future of the profession.
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