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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Problems. Topic 47-04. Leveraging Technology for Transportation Agency Workforce Development and Training

Aging transportation workforce, coupled with the shrinking pool of qualified workers, is a serious challenge facing our transportation industry. With about 50% of the existing transportation professionals retiring in the next 5-15 years, the need for preparing the next generation of professionals is greater now more than ever. Furthermore, with the advancements in technology, the new transportation reality requires interdisciplinary technical and managerial skills and abilities beyond traditional backgrounds. Unfortunately, much of the existing transportation workforce is unprepared for this new reality. The focus of this study is on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for transportation workforce development and training within the U.S. and among other developed countries. This is also known as ICT-assisted training. There are different models of ICT-assisted training e.g., software-based vs. online, synchronous vs. asynchronous. Issues around content management and ownership are crucial to successfully implement ICT-assisted training. Due to the growing reliance on ICT systems for solving complex transportation problems, there is an expectation agencies train workforce on using these systems, and, therefore, develop and delivery ICT-focused training. There are challenges with providing homogeneous training to a geographically dispersed workforce while minimizing impact of normal agency operations. It is the time to capture and share information on emergent approaches for using technology in training as well as for training workforce on emergent technologies. Information will be gathered by: (1) A literature review of transportation workforce development issues and opportunities; (2) A survey to identify current practices and issues in transportation workforce development; and (3) Detailed follow-up interviews with select agencies to better understand and document successful practices and lessons learned. Information to be gathered includes: (1) How different agencies are training their workforce, including ICT-assisted and traditional through a nationwide survey; (2) Alternative approaches to delivering training, content management strategies, and ownership schemes; (3) Emergent training topics in response to current and future challenges; and (4) Lessons learned that might be useful resource for agencies wanting to learn more about some of the presented alternative approaches. The emphasis of this study is workforce training issues associated with transportation construction, operations, and maintenance.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Proposed
  • Funding: $45000.00
  • Contract Numbers:

    Project 20-05, Topic

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590

    American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

    444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 225
    Washington, DC  United States  20001

    National Cooperative Highway Research Program

    Transportation Research Board
    500 Fifth Street, NW
    Washington, DC  United States  20001
  • Project Managers:

    Zwahlen, Tanya

  • Start Date: 20150701
  • Expected Completion Date: 0
  • Actual Completion Date: 0
  • Source Data: RiP Project 39640

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01562865
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
  • Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic
  • Files: TRB, RIP
  • Created Date: May 13 2015 1:00AM