Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 56-09. Staffing Models for Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO)

State DOTs have an increasing need for TSMO staff with a unique combination of information technology (IT) and operation technology (OT) expertise. Staffing for TSMO in this context supports the planning, design, maintenance, and operations for TSMO strategies, such as: network infrastructure and communications, intelligent transportation systems, and traffic management center operations. The TSMO roles and responsibilities have historically blended IT and OT staff in multiple ways. Increasingly, IT and OT spheres are expanding and converging due to several developments including: (1) Increased utilization of shared communication networks; (2) Use of more cloud-based software and services; (3) Expanded cybersecurity needs requirements; (4) Requirements for connected and automated vehicles and digital infrastructure; (5) Increased need for remote access and control of TSMO software and field devices; and (6) Greater inter-agency operations-related data sharing and data governance. State DOTs have addressed the convergence of IT and OT staff support in various ways. For example, some agencies dedicate IT staff for TSMO and may embed them within traffic operations or TSMO units. At the other end of the spectrum, TSMO programs may be required to work through a separate IT agency which may have responsibility over multiple state business areas, with transportation being only one of many. The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT staffing models for TSMOs, including organizational structure, classification, funding sources, and skill sets. Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): (1) Required staff knowledge, skills, and abilities; (2) Staffing models, including 24/7 staffing needs; (3) Program funding source for staff; (4) Authority for system operation between IT and OT responsibilities; (5) Staff to evaluate emerging innovation; (6) Staffing use of consultants/vendors; and (7) Staffing for TSMO project phases (e.g., technology procurement, implementation, management, maintenance, and sunsetting). Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified. Information Sources (Partial): (1) FHWA IT-TSMO resources https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/plan4ops/focus_areas/integrating/it.htm (2) National Operations Center of Excellence Peer Exchange Summary (December 2023); (3) 2024 TRB Annual Meeting IT-OT Workshop co-sponsored by several TRB Committees; (4) Upcoming NOCoE Peer exchange on IT and TSMO; (5) FHWA Traffic Management Pooled Fund Study underway on Staffing for Traffic Management Systems (report not yet available). TRB Staff (consultant): Sandra Q. Larson, Phone: 515-971-6329, Email: slarson@nas.edu. Meeting Dates: First Panel Meeting: February 25, 2025; Teleconference with Consultant: June 12, 2025, 3-4 pm eastern; Second Panel Meeting: January 29, 2026; Washington D.C. Keck Center. Topic Panel: Xiaoyu Skye Guo, District Department of Transportation, Susan Klasen, New Hampshire Department of Transportation, Zhongren Wang, California Department of Transportation, Stephen Wardle, North Carolina Department of Transportation, Justin Aaron Yoh, Ohio Department of Transportation, Scott Zeller, Washington State Department of Transportation, Richard Denney, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5720
• Supplemental Notes:
  • To Be Published as Synthesis Report 675.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $55,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-05, Topic 56-09

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

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

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Larson, Sandra

• Performing Organizations:

  C-DEX Advisors, LLC

  College Station, TX  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Kuhn, Beverly

• Start Date: 20250606
• Expected Completion Date: 20260806
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Information technology; Literature reviews; Selection and appointment; State departments of transportation; Transportation operations; Transportation system management
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Data and Information Technology; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01920396
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-05, Topic 56-09
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 31 2024 8:51PM