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SCAG briefs SBCAG on LA28 mobility plan: TDM, freight strategies and community hubs
Summary
Komei Ajise of the Southern California Association of Governments told the SBCAG board that LA28 will be larger and more complex than prior games, outlined a four‑pillar framework (mobility, community, environment, economy), and highlighted TDM, freight planning, quick‑build safety projects and community activation hubs as regional priorities.
Komei Ajise, Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments, presented to the SBCAG board on Nov. 20 about SCAG’s role in preparing the broader Southern California region for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Ajise described the 2028 events (July 14–30 and Aug. 15–27) as more complex than past games and said SCAG is focused on travel demand management (TDM), legacy investments and accelerating pilot projects that yield durable benefits.
Ajise said SCAG’s program development framework is built on four pillars — mobility, community, environment and economy — and guides prioritized investments that can become lasting regional benefits. He cited roughly $80 million in SCAG‑awarded projects that support electrification, transit connections, safety improvements and technology solutions. Noting the scale of the event, Ajise estimated between 15 and 20 million spectators may travel to the games and stressed the need for distributed viewing (community hubs) and alternatives to driving.
On TDM, Ajise said SCAG convenes Games Mobility Executives (GME) including Caltrans, LA Metro, LA DOT, Metrolink and LA28 to shape passenger and freight strategies. He highlighted planned pilots — such as open‑loop payment systems on Metrolink and quick‑build pedestrian/bicycle safety projects — and said 12 quick‑build projects are anticipated across the region in 2027. For freight, Ajise warned that the GamesRoute network (a Caltrans‑managed route set aside for athletes and officials) will constrain parts of the highway/city street system and require freight TDM to preserve commerce.
On community activation, Ajise described public‑private partnerships and toolkits for cities to host activation centers and festival villages that distribute spectators to local hubs. He noted assistance from Bloomberg Associates for placemaking and said LA28 is the primary connector for hosting and consular outreach. In response to questions, Ajise said planning anticipates bringing in about 26,700 additional buses and emphasized the need for drivers and mechanics, and he outlined opportunities for smaller communities to host national houses or training by coordinating with LA28.
The presentation was informational; no board action was required. Directors said they appreciated the briefing and asked staff to continue coordination on community hubs, freight TDM, and pilot testing (with the World Cup and Super Bowl as interim tests).
