Synthesis: Assess Transportation Agency Approaches to Training and Developing Hydrology and Hydraulics (H&H) Staff
There is presently significant understaffing and turnover of staff specializing in Hydrology and Hydraulics (H&H) within agencies overseeing transportation infrastructure. H&H is a specialized field that requires unique training; however, given the understaffing and turnover, it is challenging to retain industry-specific knowledge in the absence of standardized training resources. To improve the training of H&H roles within transportation agencies, the research team will follow a systematic approach that (1) determines what training resources are being utilized, (2) determines which H&H training topics transportation agencies prioritize, (3) determines how specific needs of the DOT are assessed to support the development of training curricula, (4) determines how training is being delivered, (5) determines which technological innovations have been leveraged to improve training outcomes, (6) determines which topics are being taught, (7) determines whether states create their own training content or rely primarily on national resources, (8) determines whether transportation agencies are grappling with any specific gaps in H&H training resources, (9) determines how training is evaluated and implemented to improve efficacy, including the frequency of revisions, and (10) determines what approaches are utilized to transfer knowledge from seasoned staff to newer staff. Surveys and interviews will be conducted with relevant agencies throughout Texas and in other states to provide a comprehensive dataset on present practices and shortcomings. The research team will evaluate these findings in terms of the desired needs of H&H positions, in the context of transportation infrastructure and typical H&H training in engineering roles. The synthesis developed by the research team will be used as a guide to inform what resources are available to be maintained, leveraged, and/or refined to improve the depth and consistency of H&H training within transportation.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $65,000.00
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Contract Numbers:
0-7271
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Sponsor Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483 -
Managing Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483 -
Project Managers:
Smith, Anne
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Performing Organizations:
Center for Transportation Research
3925 W. Braker Lane
Austin, TX United States 78759 -
Principal Investigators:
Johnson, Blair
- Start Date: 20250901
- Expected Completion Date: 20260831
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Hydraulics; Hydrology; Knowledge management; Personnel development; Training; Transportation departments
- Geographic Terms: Texas
- Subject Areas: Education and Training; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Transportation (General);
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01964073
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 0-7271
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Aug 26 2025 12:45PM