Practices to Expand the Transit Workforce through Program Evaluation

Transit agencies have implemented a variety of recruitment and retention strategies to address the challenges associated with the shrinking workforce. While existing studies emphasize the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of workforce planning and development programs, there is no comprehensive source that documents how transit agencies evaluate their recruitment and retention programs, the outcomes of those evaluations, or the challenges associated with evaluating these programs. This project addresses that gap by exploring how fixed-route transit agencies evaluate their recruitment and retention programs. To accomplish the objectives of this research, the research team will conduct a literature review, scanning survey, and expert panel discussions to explore recruitment and retention program evaluation processes. The findings will be synthesized into a final report and used to create a framework for selecting effective approaches to evaluate transit recruitment and retention programs. The findings can be used to understand how fixed-route transit agencies evaluate these programs and the challenges they face during implementation and monitoring. The value of this research is extended through the framework, which can be used by agencies as they apply new or improved approaches to monitor and benchmark their workforce recruitment and retention programs. This project directly supports the U.S. DOT's priorities for Job Creation and Fiscal Health and Organizational Excellence; as well as the U.S. DOT Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) strategic goals for Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness. Evaluation is a fundamental step in ensuring that implemented programs are effective. The process of evaluating programs allows agencies to identify what is working well and where modifications are needed for the agency to meet its goals. This research is specifically concerned with recruitment and retention program evaluation processes used by fixed-route transit agencies. Upon completion of this research, we will have a better understanding of how transit agencies are measuring success as they work to expand their workforce. The research results in the final report will include notable, effective, or unique practices for evaluating recruitment and retention programs. The framework will enable practitioners to understand how they can improve their processes and more effectively quantify the outcomes of their programs.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $150,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348328

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Mineta Consortium for Equitable, Efficient, and Sustainable Transportation

  San Jose State University
  San Jose, CA  United States  95112

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  Mineta Consortium for Equitable, Efficient, and Sustainable Transportation

  San Jose State University
  San Jose, CA  United States  95112
• Principal Investigators:

  Boyd, Tia

• Start Date: 20250201
• Expected Completion Date: 20260430
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Personnel retention; Public transit; Recruiting; Shortages; Transit operating agencies; Workforce
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01945254
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Mineta Consortium for Equitable, Efficient, and Sustainable Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348328
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 9 2025 4:13PM